Application information and recruitment process

Our application form requires some personal information, reference details and reasons for applying. There may also be some competency-based questions which relate to activities and behaviours stated in the role profile. We look for real-life examples of situations applicants have previously had to deal with. 

All applications will undergo a shortlisting process to assess their suitability for progression.  

You will need to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and provide evidence of this. The criteria will be on the job advert. 

Following the application form, successful applicants will be invited to attend the National Sift with the College of Policing (unless you already hold a valid pass mark).  

Applicants who are successful at the assessment centre stage will be invited to an in-force interview. The questions will be based on the College of Policing’s Competency and Values Framework (CVF). 

The checks below are carried out following a successful interview:  

Tattoos: Tattoos do not automatically disqualify you from joining South Yorkshire Police. Members of the public are largely accepting of police officers and staff with visible tattoos. However, some tattoos could potentially offend members of the public or colleagues, or could discredit the police service. All tattoos are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  

You will be required to provide images of all visible tattoos (on the head, neck, arms and hands) as part of the application process. 

Medical assessment: A medical assessment will review your health and confirm whether it is safe for you to become a PCSO. 

Biometrics: An appointment will be made to take fingerprints and DNA which will be saved and assessed against the national police databases. 

References: We will contact your employers, educational providers and/or character referees to cover a 5-year period. They will be asked to comment on your suitability for the role and to provide records of your sickness absence over a 3-year period. 

Sickness absence: South Yorkshire Police sets absence criteria of no more than 33 working days and / or 5 separate occurrences over the last 3 years. However, this will not be considered until the end of the selection process.  

Any period of sickness absence which is as a direct result of a pregnancy will be discounted. Consideration will be given to discounting periods of sickness absence which are disability-related. 

Vetting: Every applicant will be subject to security vetting checks. You can find out more on our vetting guidance page.

Our application form requires some personal information, reference details and reasons for applying. There may also be some competency-based questions which relate to activities and behaviours stated in the role profile. We look for real-life examples of situations applicants have previously had to deal with. 

All applications will undergo a shortlisting process to assess their suitability for progression. 

You will need to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and provide evidence of this (for example: qualifications, Performance Reviews, training records, driving licence). The criteria will be on the job advert. 

Applicants who are successful at the assessment centre stage will be invited to an in-force interview. The questions will be based on the College of Policing’s Competency and Values Framework (CVF) and will be relevant to your specific rank. 

The checks below are carried out following a successful interview:  

Tattoos: Tattoos do not automatically disqualify you from joining South Yorkshire Police. Members of the public are largely accepting of police officers and staff with visible tattoos. However, some tattoos could potentially offend members of the public or colleagues, or could discredit the police service. All tattoos are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  

You will be required to provide images of all visible tattoos (on the head, neck, arms and hands) as part of the application process. 

Medical assessment: A medical assessment will review your health and confirm whether it is safe for you to become a police officer. Prior to your appointment, you will need to complete a set of forms which require visits to your optician and GP to obtain information.  

Your Body Mass Index must be under 30. The NHS has an online tool where you can calculate your body mass index. 

Substance misuse (re-joiners only): Hair and urine samples will be sent to a laboratory for drug testing. 

Fitness test: Re-joiners will be expected to undergo a fitness test. A minimum standard of reaching level 5.4 on a 15-metre bleep test must be achieved in an endurance shuttle run. Applicants who reach this stage will receive further guidance on how to prepare for the test. Re-tests are possible if you fail on the first attempt. 

Transferees will be expected to have an in-date fitness test with their current force before applying. 

Biometrics: A biometric appointment will be made to take fingerprints and DNA which will be saved and assessed against the national police databases. 

Applicants transferring from a force within the Yorkshire region may be able to have their biometrics transferred to South Yorkshire. 

References: We will contact your current and/or previous forces for references. They will be asked to comment on your suitability for the role and to provide records of your sickness absence over a 3-year period. 

We will also ask them to confirm any disciplinary matters or unsatisfactory performance. 

Sickness absence: South Yorkshire Police sets absence criteria of no more than 33 working days and / or 5 separate occurrences over the last 3 years. However, this will not be considered until the end of the selection process.  

Any period of sickness absence which is as a direct result of a pregnancy will be discounted. Consideration will be given to discounting periods of sickness absence which are disability-related. 

Vetting: Every applicant will be subject to security vetting checks. You can find out more on our vetting guidance page. 

Our application form requires some personal information, reference details and reasons for applying. There may also be some competency-based questions which relate to activities and behaviours stated in the role profile. We look for real-life examples of situations applicants have previously had to deal with. 

All applications will undergo a shortlisting process to assess their suitability for progression.  

You will need to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and provide evidence of this. The criteria will be on the job advert. 

Following the application form, successful applicants will be invited to attend the National Sift with the College of Policing (unless you already hold a valid pass mark).  

Applicants who are successful at the assessment centre stage will be invited to an in-force interview. The questions will be based on the College of Policing’s Competency and Values Framework (CVF). 

The checks below are carried out following a successful interview:  

Tattoos: Tattoos do not automatically disqualify you from joining South Yorkshire Police. Members of the public are largely accepting of police officers and staff with visible tattoos. However, some tattoos could potentially offend members of the public or colleagues, or could discredit the police service. All tattoos are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  

You will be required to provide images of all visible tattoos (on the head, neck, arms and hands) as part of the application process. 

Medical assessment: A medical assessment will review your health and confirm whether it is safe for you to become a police officer. Prior to your appointment, you will need to complete a set of forms which require visits to your optician and GP to obtain information.  

Your Body Mass Index must be under 30. The NHS has an online tool where you can calculate your body mass index. 

Substance misuse: Hair and urine samples will be sent to a laboratory for drug testing. 

Fitness test: A minimum standard of reaching level 5.4 on a 15-metre bleep test must be achieved in an endurance shuttle run. Applicants who reach this stage will receive further guidance on how to prepare for the test. Re-tests are possible if you fail on the first attempt. 

Biometrics: A biometric appointment will be made to take fingerprints and DNA which will be saved and assessed against the national police databases. 

References: We will contact your employers, educational providers and/or character referees to cover a 5-year period. They will be asked to comment on your suitability for the role and to provide records of your sickness absence over a 3-year period. 

Sickness absence: South Yorkshire Police sets absence criteria of no more than 33 working days and / or 5 separate occurrences over the last 3 years. However, this will not be considered until the end of the selection process.  

Any period of sickness absence which is as a direct result of a pregnancy will be discounted. Consideration will be given to discounting periods of sickness absence which are disability-related. 

Vetting: Every applicant will be subject to security vetting checks. You can find out more on our vetting guidance page.

Our application form requires some personal information, reference details and reasons for applying. There may also be some competency-based questions which relate to activities and behaviours stated in the role profile. We look for real-life examples of situations applicants have previously had to deal with. 

All applications will undergo a shortlisting process to assess their suitability for progression.  

You will need to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and provide evidence of this (for example: qualifications). The criteria will be on the job advert. 

Applicants who are successful at the assessment centre stage will be invited to an in-force interview. The questions will be based on the criteria outlined in the Role Profile. 

You may also complete additional assessments such as a presentation. Details will be provided if you are shortlisted. 

The checks below are carried out following a successful interview:  

Tattoos: Tattoos do not automatically disqualify you from joining South Yorkshire Police. Members of the public are largely accepting of police officers and staff with visible tattoos. However, some tattoos could potentially offend members of the public or colleagues, or could discredit the police service. All tattoos are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  

You will be required to provide images of all visible tattoos (on the head, neck, arms and hands) as part of the application process. 

References: We will contact your employers, educational providers and/or character referees to cover a 5-year period. They will be asked to comment on your suitability for the role and to provide records of your sickness absence over a 3-year period. 

Sickness absence: South Yorkshire Police sets absence criteria of no more than 33 working days and / or 5 separate occurrences over the last 3 years. However, this will not be considered until the end of the selection process.  

Any period of sickness absence which is as a direct result of a pregnancy will be discounted. Consideration will be given to discounting periods of sickness absence which are disability-related. 

Vetting: Every applicant will be subject to security vetting checks. You can find out more on our vetting guidance page.

Further checks may be required depending on the role you have applied for. Details will be provided following a successful interview.