College of Policing introduces standardised recruitment process
All police forces in England and Wales must now use a standardised four-stage recruitment process following the introduction of new regulations by the College of Policing.
Anyone applying to become a police constable will now go through the same rigorous checks, tests and interviews regardless of which force they apply to join.
Introduced through an amendment to the Police Regulations 2003, this change ensures every candidate has demonstrated the right values, skills and behaviours before joining the police.
The four stages mean candidates will:
- fill in a national application form
- complete online sifting tests to assess judgement and behaviours
- take an online assessment including an interview, written exercise and briefing exercise
- attend a face-to-face interview with the force they are applying to join
These stages are designed to ensure candidates are assessed consistently against the competency and values framework (CVF), helping forces recruit officers with the right values, skills, and behaviours.
The regulations are part of the government’s Safer Streets mission and reflect a shared commitment to building a police service the public can trust.
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the College of Policing said: “Recruiting the right people into policing is fundamental to maintaining public trust. These regulations are an important milestone – they give the public confidence that every new police officer has been thoroughly assessed to the same national standard, wherever they serve.”
Almost all forces were already using this process before it became a legal requirement. The new regulations ensure that the same high standards apply consistently across every force in England and Wales.