If you are the type of person who enjoys facing challenges, solving problems and would like to contribute to keeping your community safe while being able to develop a wide range of skills then policing could be just for you.

There are a broad range of ways in which you can become a policing officer from being a special constable, a regular constable or the different direct entry routes into policing.

If you are looking to apply for a role within policing we’d recommend you Searching and applying for vacancies and opportunities

one of the best ways to keep an eye on jobs and opportunities within policing is to visit your preferred for area to see if they are recruiting.

If you are wanting to apply to join the police you will need to be able to apply online via the force’s website using an online application form.

20,000 New police officers

The Prime Minister has announced that he will recruit 20,000 new police officers over the next three years.

If you are wanting to become a police officer the time has never been better.

Entry Routes into policing

Within the United Kingdom, there are currently four main routes into the police service to join as a police constable.

These are the Apprenticeship scheme, Degree-holder entry, Pre-join Degree and the traditional route to policing.

• Apprenticeship. Join as a constable, and follow an apprenticeship in professional policing practice – you will earn while you learn. This route normally takes three years with both on and off-the-job learning. On successfully finishing the programme, you complete your probation and achieve a degree.

• Degree-holder entry. If you already have a degree in any subject, you can join and follow a work-based programme, supported by off-the-job learning.  This route normally takes two years, and the learning you have undergone is recognised in a graduate diploma in professional policing practice when you complete your probation.

• Pre-join degree. If you want to study first, you can do a three year degree in professional policing at your own expense, and then apply to a force and follow a shorter on-the-job training programme. For this route, you will need to find a university to study with and apply directly to them.

• ‘Traditional’ Initial Police Learning Development Programme (IPLDP). This is the original route into the service which is gradually being replaced with the three new entry routes above but is still offered by some forces. You apply directly to the force and then undertake a two year programme after which if you successfully complete probation, you become a confirmed Police Constable ready for duties.