Eligibility criteria
Whether you’re a young school-leaver, a retailer or ex-military, we know that you will have plenty of transferable skills which you can bring to a career with the police. Things like following process, social and emotional intelligence, conversation skills and the ability to diffuse a situation are all skills we search for in our candidates. If you have the relevant experience and strengths, all you have to do is apply.
We are an organisation that welcome, support and value those from underrepresented communities. From difference comes invaluable life experiences, ideas and ways of thinking – and by encouraging individuality we are working towards serving our communities and understanding our public better.
Academic qualifications
See below for the qualifications required prior to applying for the following training programmes:
To apply you must have achieved a Level 2 qualification in both English and Maths (e.g. GCSE Grade C/4 or above or equivalent) and one of the following:
- Two A Levels (Grade A-E) or a minimum Level 3 qualification as defined in the Education and Skills Act 2008.
- A current serving PCSO who has completed their professional development plan, passed their probationary period and served 12 months in post.
- A current serving Special Constable who has attained independent patrol status, served 12 months in post and consistently completing sixteen hours per month.
- A current serving Investigating Officer who has attained PIP 1 qualification and served 12 months in post.
- Have served in the military, armed forces and have successfully completed the minimum term of service (usually 4 years) and have achieved an exemplary reference on discharge.
If you have worked in a police staff role with South Yorkshire Police and have substantial operational experience, you may be eligible to apply. You will need to provide evidence from your role, including responsibilities and any relevant training completed. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and you may be required to discuss your experience with a member of the recruitment or training team to assess your suitability.
To apply you must have achieved a Level 2 qualification in both English and Maths (e.g. GCSE Grade C/4 or above or equivalent) and one of the following:
- Two A Levels (Grade A-E) or a minimum Level 3 qualification as defined in the Education and Skills Act 2008.
- A current serving PCSO who has completed their professional development plan, passed their probationary period and served 12 months in post.
- A current serving Special Constable who has attained independent patrol status, served 12 months in post and consistently completing sixteen hours per month.
- A current serving Investigating Officer who has attained PIP 1 qualification and served 12 months in post.
- Have served in the military, armed forces and have successfully completed the minimum term of service (usually 4 years) and have achieved an exemplary reference on discharge.
If you have worked in a police staff role with South Yorkshire Police and have substantial operational experience, you may be eligible to apply. You will need to provide evidence from your role, including responsibilities and any relevant training completed. This will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and you may be required to discuss your experience with a member of the recruitment or training team to assess your suitability.
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. There is no upper age limit for applying to the police service.
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 yet, however, you must hold your full manual driving licence by the deadline stated on the job advert to which you are applying.
Cautions and convictions
Convictions and cautions will not necessarily preclude you from becoming a police officer. It will depend on the nature and the 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:
- Corrected distance visual acuity must be 6/12 in either eye and 6/6 or better binocularly
- Corrected near static visual acuity must be 6/9 or better binocularly
- Uncorrected visual acuity must be 6/36 or better binocularly
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 and piercings
All tattoos and piercings must be in line with South Yorkshire Police’s Appearance and Standards Policy.
South Yorkshire Police is committed to striking a proportionate balance between self-expression and the need to maintain role sensitive professional standards in dress and appearance. Officers, staff, and volunteers of South Yorkshire Police are permitted to have tattoos visible whilst on duty provided the tattoo is not considered to be unacceptable or otherwise inappropriate.
Tattoos will be reviewed as part of the recruitment and selection process.
Any tattoos which could be deemed inappropriate or cause offence will also not be accepted. Tattoos are not acceptable if they are particularly prominent, garish and offensive or undermine the dignity and authority of the role.
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.
Bio-metric vetting
On application you must agree to 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 that 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 three months before being eligible to attend again.