Regulation 10 Qualifications for appointment to a police force

must, if not a national of F2the United Kingdom or an EEA State, have leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for an indefinite period;

must produce satisfactory references as to character, and, if he has served in any police force, in the armed forces, in the civil service or as a seaman, produce satisfactory proof of his good conduct while so serving;

must have attained the age of 17 years;

must have attained the age of F418 years F5before being appointed to a police force;

must be certified by a registered medical practitioner approved by the F6local policing body to be in good health, of sound constitution and fitted both physically and mentally to perform the duties on which he will be employed after appointment;

must meet the standard of eyesight determined by the Secretary of State;

must have a selected qualification or experience, within the meaning of paragraph (1A) F8before being appointed to a police force;

must, if a candidate for appointment in the rank of constable, unless the candidate is applying to transfer to the force from another police force, within the periods of time and to the standard set by the College of Policing for each of the following stages—

must, if a candidate for appointment in the rank of constable, satisfy the chief officer that he is sufficiently competent in written and spoken English, and sufficiently numerate, by passing such assessments in written and spoken English, and numeracy, as may be approved by the Secretary of State;

must, if a candidate for appointment in the rank of sergeant, or inspector, be qualified for promotion to such rank in accordance with the provisions of the Promotion Regulations;

must give such information as may be required as to his previous history or employment or any other matter relating to his appointment to the police force;

must, unless the candidate is a police officer applying to transfer to the force from another police force, not have engaged in conduct which attracts automatic disqualification under paragraph (2A);

must hold vetting clearance in accordance with the Police (Vetting) Regulations 2025;

must, unless he is applying to transfer to the force from another police force, on being so required by the chief officer of the force to which he is a candidate for appointment give a sample of F12hair or oral fluid or urine to be tested in accordance with procedures determined by the Secretary of State for evidence of such controlled drugs as the Secretary of State may determine;

must, if a candidate for appointment under the F14FT Programme, the DE Inspector Programme or the DE Superintendent Programme, have passed the assessment centre in respect of that programme.

the candidate has been convicted of a criminal offence for which the court imposed a custodial sentence,

the candidate is, or has been, subject to the notification requirements of Part 2 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (notification and orders),

the candidate has been convicted of, or given a caution for, a listed offence,

the candidate has been convicted of an attempt or conspiracy to commit a listed offence, or

the candidate has been convicted of, or given a caution for, an offence which is determined under this regulation to involve behaviour by the candidate amounting to domestic abuse within the meaning of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (see section 1 of that Act).

“armed forces” means the naval, military or air forces of the Crown including any women’s service administered by the Defence Council, F17...

“assessment centre” means the assessment centre approved by the College of Policing for the purposes of the F19FT Programme, the DE Inspector Programme or, as the case may be, the DE Superintendent Programme;

“listed offence” means an offence listed in Schedule 3A to these Regulations;

“national application form” means an application form containing the complete set of questions as set by the College of Policing for the purposes of confirming the eligibility of a candidate for appointment to a police force;

“national of the United Kingdom” means—

“national sift test” means the online test as approved by the College of Policing for the purposes of determining whether a candidate for appointment to a police force meets the national standard;

“national standard” means the minimum standard of competencies and values as set by the College of Policing that candidates must demonstrate to be suitable for appointment to the rank of constable;

“online assessment process” means the online exercises as set by the College of Policing for a police force to assess a candidate’s suitability for policing;

“seaman” has the same meaning as in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 M1;

“vetting clearance” means the level of police vetting clearance that the candidate requires to perform the duties of the role for which they are seeking appointment.