Is policing right for me?
Starting a career in the police can be one of the best things you’ll ever do. You’ll be able to make a real difference in your community, reducing crimes and making people safer. But being a police officer isn’t for everyone – it’s one of the most challenging careers you can choose, being physically, mentally and emotionally demanding.
You should consider whether you can:
- Deal with the complex and sensitive cases, requiring clear reasoning and evidence gathering
- Think on your feet – problem solving and responding to new challenges
- Develop new skills as data and technology become ever more important to policing
- Work well with colleagues as part of an effective team
- Have great people skills, remaining calm and patient with members of the public, particularly in stressful or volatile situations
- Handle traumatic situations and be able to communicate information sensitively
- Be decisive and use your police powers appropriately
- Give clear and accurate evidence in court
- Work shifts, nights and weekends (including public holidays)
- Be flexible about where you work - you might not work in your preferred location
You’ll receive training and support throughout your career to help you manage the demands of policing, but it’s important to be sure that becoming a police officer is right for you.
Are you cut out for it?
Take our quiz to find out if a career as a police officer might be right for you.
Common Questions
It’s natural to have questions if you’re thinking of becoming a police officer. We’re happy to answer them all – however big or small, easy or difficult.
Do I need a degree to join the police?
No, there is a degree holder entry route but in most cases, you’ll need a minimum Level 3 qualification such as an A-Level or equivalent. This varies between different forces. The police force you apply to will clearly set out the specific criteria you need to meet on their website.
Do I need a driving licence?
Whether this is essential or desirable will vary by force. Check with the force(s) you are applying to if you don’t currently hold a licence.
Is there racism in the police?
Racism sadly exists in policing as it does in society. We can now say that policing is more inclusive, more diverse, and more reflective of our communities than it has ever been. But it’s also true that racism, discrimination and bias do still occur.
All forces and the College of Policing have developed a new Police Race Action Plan to address the significantly lower levels of trust and confidence among some Black people and the race disparities affecting Black people.
Read more about the Police Race Action Plan.
What is the police doing to address sexism?
Women are hugely valued in policing, with increased opportunities for personal development, career progression and flexible working. However, for too long everyday sexism has existed in policing, with some colleagues worried about speaking up as either a victim or a witness of sexist behaviour.
We are determined to eradicate sexism and misogyny from policing. To do that, we’re using behavioural science to understand why it happens and what we can all do to stop it. By applying science to these issues, we're creating an evidence-based plan for change. It includes developing confidential reporting systems, ensuring that policies protect people who report sexism, and training to help supervisors spot issues early on.
Find out how we’re tackling sexism and misogyny in policing.
Will I have to work shifts and weekends?
Yes, there will likely be times when you’re needed for shifts working evenings and/or weekends. Speak to your chosen force(s) if you have a restriction (for example, caring duties) that might prevent you from undertaking particular shifts, as they may be able to discuss alternative options with you.
Does a criminal record stop me applying?
There are a number of factors to consider here (for example, the severity of the conviction, and how long ago) so there is not a blanket answer to this. Our best guidance is to speak to the force(s) you wish to apply to, to get their advice. The more you can be open and honest about any history you might have, the better and more accurate the advice from the force will be. Find out more about Vetting
The truth about policing
Is policing really a diverse, welcoming and supportive place to work? Is the culture really changing?
In this video you can hear officers share their honest views on whether policing is a macho environment, why women are still under-represented and how family-friendly policing is.
View the full video transcript
Kimberley, a serving police officer, and Jennifer, a member of the public, sit opposite each other in a dimly-lit interview room. They begin a conversation.
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Jenifer: Has anything ever made you feel scared on the job?
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Kimberley: We have these red buttons on our radios,
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if somebody presses that red button, your heart stops
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because you’re just like ‘where is that officer?
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Where are my keys? I’m going
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Jenifer: Do you think the police are sexist?
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Kimberley: No. In a word.
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I can only talk about my experience in our force.
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But I think every sort of issue that might be in policing
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in relation to sexism or racism or against disabilities
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or any of those kinds of issues,
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there’s something in place to try and tackle that.
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So, I just know with policing now that there’s a zero tolerance to it.
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If someone was then to report it to a manager, it’s then dealt with.
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Things are in place to not allow that to continue
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and that is the difference.
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Jenifer: Has anything ever made you feel scared on the job?
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Kimberley: Oh yeah for sure like absolutely.
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You’re only human at the end of the day.
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But of course, when you’re driving to something
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the adrenaline is going,
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you’re like ‘what am I going to be facing?
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What gets you through that is knowing that
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you’ve got a team behind you so you’re never on your own.
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It’s almost like a family, as cliché as it sounds, it really is. If something…
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I’ve heard things over the radio.
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We have these red buttons on our radios, they're like an alarm which
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if somebody presses that red button, your heart stops
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because you’re just like ‘where is that officer?
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Where are my keys? I’m going’
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It’s just your mentality because you just look out for each other.
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The fear is there but you’ve got people to back you up.
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Jenifer: That’s amazing.
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Did you always want to be a detective?
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Kimberley: Yes, I think I always did.
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I kind of knew that was where I wanted my career to go.
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Getting an investigation, getting a case
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and really picking it apart, who’s done what
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and who’s involved and why?
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Not knowing really what you could be going into.
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You could come into work one day and think:
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‘right this is what I’m doing today, this is my To-Do list’.
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Then something happens and you’re going
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it doesn’t matter what you’ve planned
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and you have to switch into that mode
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and deal with that and you know, there’s not many jobs really where it is like that
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and that’s what keeps it fresh, even for like 15 years in the job.
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Jenifer: Do you think there’s anything that
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gives you an edge over your male counterparts?
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Kimberley: From a personal point of view, I think
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being a female from a black minority ethnic background
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and having kids, I think that makes me quite unique.
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I’m quite proud of the opportunities I have to do things
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that can potentially open doors for other people
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to see that actually you being somebody unique
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can have a really big voice in somewhere like policing.
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If you are new coming in and you want to see
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those women in those managerial positions,
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you want to see them high-ranking and think:
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‘Actually I could get there’, it isn’t just all men at the top.
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Jenifer: Do you find it difficult juggling being a mother
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and being in the police as well?
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Kimberley: Yeah. Yeah definitely. My husband’s in the police as well
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and we’ve got three children. So, for quite a few years
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we have had to be on opposite shifts
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and literally passing ships at the night at times.
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But the police is good for,
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there are opportunities to do flexible working.
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They do recognise that obviously most people are
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going to have children or other caring responsibilities
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so there are things in place to make it easier, but it is hard.
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Jenifer: Do you ever feel like you’re a detective mum?
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So finding out whose done what?
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Kimberley: Yes, without a doubt.
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I do find myself questioning my children
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in an interview technique style at times.
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I can actually see like an interview process
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going around in my head and I’m like these are my kids.
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But to be honest it works!
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So I’m going to probably carry on with that.
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Jenifer: It is great training!
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Kimberley: Good training yeah!
We see a close-up of the whirring tape deck recording the conversation. It clicks as the recording ends.