`

Eligibility Criteria

Date published: 01 December 2023 14:42

Be the future of compassion

Your personality counts just as much as your skills.

A career with South Yorkshire Police includes both front-line and community-based work. Being able to connect with and emotionally support our communities is a key part of the role, so we look for candidates who can be sensitive, easy to talk to, independent and empathetic. Sometimes you may find yourself in challenging situations, but being able to bring a sense of calm, think fast and solve problems will make all the difference.

Eligibility Criteria

A career with South Yorkshire Police is the chance for you to take on a challenge that will change lives. Whether you’re a school-leaver, a graduate or searching for new opportunities, we welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. There are three different entry routes as part of our Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF), which you can take to join the police. The criteria for each of these routes is set out below.

Academic Qualifications

Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship

To be eligible you must meet at least one of the following entry qualification criteria:

  • Have achieved a standard of education equivalent to a Level 3 qualification which equates to 80 UCAS points (or a full level 4 or 5 qualification) - these points could be from your A Levels or Level 3 Diplomas. Please check your UCAS points here; https://www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator  

  • Have achieved an academic or vocational qualification gained outside England and Wales, which is considered by the UK National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) to be a Level 3 qualification which equates to 80 UCAS points.

  • Have experience as a PCSO, Special Constable, Call Handler (within a police force) or Investigation Officer within the last three years - Applicants may use this experience as part of their application demonstrating how they have developed the appropriate level of academic ability. You will be asked to complete a 750 word academic assessment exercise during the recruitment process.

  • Are from a military background. Applicants may use this experience as part of their application demonstrating how they have developed the appropriate level of academic ability. You will be asked to complete a 750 word academic assessment exercise during the recruitment process.

Applicants with below 80 UCAS points would not usually be accepted onto the course.  However, there may be times when other equivalent qualifications may be considered and extensive relevant work experience may be considered, such applications are assessed individually and will be required to undertake a 750 word academic assessment.

Maths and English

As you are joining an apprenticeship you will be required to provide proof of Level 2 Maths and English by the end of your apprenticeship.

The qualifications acceptable are:

  • GCSE or iGCSE at grade C/level 4 or above
  • Functional Skills Level 2
  • Key Skills Level 2

Please be aware that if you cannot provide proof of your qualification within the first 12 weeks of your course you will be enrolled onto functional skills to complete further study.

Degree Holder Entry Programme (Police Constable and Detective)

If you are applying via the Degree Holder Entry Programme, you will need to have achieved the following qualification:

  • Achieved a degree in any subject area (Level 6 or above)

Further Criteria

Age

Candidates aged 17 and above may apply to become a police officer and may take up appointment on reaching the age of 18 or above, if successful.

Residency

You must have resided in the UK for three continuous years immediately prior to application.  If you have been abroad during the last three years while serving in the UK Armed Forces or working for the UK Government your application will still be considered.

Nationality

You must be either a British citizen, a citizen of the EU or other states in the EEA, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Driving Licence

Ideally, you must have a full manual UK/EU licence at the time of application.  Applications will be accepted if you don’t have a full driving licence, however you will be expected to have taken and passed your test before appointment.

Cautions and Convictions

Convictions and cautions will not necessarily preclude you from becoming a police officer.  It will depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence.  Failure to disclose convictions or cautions will, however result in your application being terminated.

Financial Position

All applicants will have their financial status verified.  Checks are carried out because police officers have access to privileged and highly sensitive information, which may make them vulnerable to corruption.

Applicants with outstanding County Court judgements, or who have been registered bankrupt with outstanding debts, will be rejected.  If you have discharged bankruptcy debts then you will need to provide a Certificate of Satisfaction with your application.  At least three years will need to have passed since the date of discharge.

Health

Police officers encounter difficult situations, trauma, physical confrontation and work long hours on shifts.  They need to be resilient enough to cope with the demands and pressures of police work. Applicants must be in good health mentally and physically to undertake police duties.

You will undergo a medical examination to ensure that you meet the health standards required.

Physical Fitness

To ensure you are fit enough for the role, you will undertake a fitness test.

Eyesight

All applicants will have their eyesight examined and should meet the required standard below:

Distance vision corrected:

  • 6/12 or better with either your right or left eye
  • 6/6 with both eyes together

Near vision corrected:

  • 6/9 with both eyes together

Colour vision

  • The use of colour correcting lenses is not acceptable. Severe colour vision deficiencies (monochromacy) are not accepted

Eye Surgery

  • Radial keratotomy, arcuate keratotomy or corneal grafts are not accepted.

If you do not meet the required standard of eyesight, you will not be eligible to be appointed as a police officer.

Tattoos & Piercings

All tattoos and piercings must be in line with South Yorkshire Police’s Appearance and Standards Policy. We have recently relaxed this policy, and officers and staff are permitted to have their tattoos on show while on duty provided the tattoo is not deemed inappropriate or unacceptable.

Photos of any potentially visible tattoos will need to be shared as part of the application process. Any that could be deemed inappropriate or cause offence will not be accepted.

Facial or tongue piercings are not permitted by any member of staff in public facing roles.  Any piercings which could impede your ability to perform the role are not permitted.

Substance misuse

If you are currently using any illegal drugs this will automatically rule you out of the recruitment process.  On application, you must agree to have a drugs test, as well as having a DNA sample and fingerprints taken for the purpose of conducting a speculative search against the national database.

Membership to British National Party (BNP) or similar groups

The police service strictly prohibits any of their officers or staff from becoming members of organisations whose aims and objectives may contradict the duty to promote race equality. E.g. the BNP, National Front or Combat 18.  If you are, or have been, a member of such an organisation you are not eligible to apply.

Police officers are not permitted to take an active part in politics.

Business Interest

You must declare any other employment or business interests you intend to maintain so this can be reviewed to ensure that there is no conflict of interest with the police.

Previous applications

If you have applied unsuccessfully to any police force, you are eligible to re-apply immediately after leaving the last process. However, if you have attended an Assessment Centre with College of Policing, you will have to wait six months before being eligible to attend again.

A male police detective, wearing a dark suit looks into the camera. A second man is out of focus in the background, wearing a polo shirt and dark blue cap. His arms are folded and he is looking at the ground.
Three crime scene investigators in white coveralls, with blue face masks and gloves are kneeling on the ground looking for evidence. They are in a field and in the distance a blue and white police tape is marking a cordon.
A black and white background with yellow and black text. It says become a police officer and includes a link to find out more information.