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How to become a Police Officer

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Police Officer jobs

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Police Officer courses

Career progression and salary expectations for a Police Officer

Police Officer

| Up to £36,000

The role of a Police Officer

What does a Police Officer do?

Do you dream of making the world a safer place? Are you looking for a career that can really make a difference in your community? Then you could make a great Police Officer.The police work to maintain order and make local communities safer, whether they are tiny rural villages or sprawling big cities. Officers investigate and try to prevent crime, as well as working to find the culprits of crimes that have already been committed.Day-to-day duties will vary, but your responsibilities will generally include:

Investigating crimes and arresting the perpetrators
Interviewing witnesses and suspects
Responding to emergency calls
Going to court to give evidence
Attending big events such as football matches to promote order
Giving talks at locations like schools to encourage police recruitment

Is a career as a Police Officer right for me?

There are no formal educational requirements when it comes to entering police service, so you can join straight from sixth form or come to it later in life. However, you must have lived in Britain for three years, be over 18 and pass background and security tests.Besides that, a good Police Officer will be:

Honest and responsible
Confident with people from all walks of life
Knowledgeable about the law
Calm in a crisis - even a life-threatening one
Excellent at communication
Full of common sense
Physically fit

What's it like to be a Police Officer?

"I've heard lots of people say they couldn't do my job, but I love it. The role is varied and every week is different. There are also lots of opportunities to have a chat with members of the public, which is ideal if you're sociable like me. Of course, it can be dangerous and the shifts are sometimes tiring, but knowing I'm making a difference in my community makes it really worthwhile."

Get qualified as a Police Officer

Although no formal qualifications are needed to start your career, you will need to pass a series of assessment tests before becoming trainee police officer. Assessments will be in areas such as mathematics, communication, reading and writing skills, and decision making. You will also need to pass basic physical fitness and health checks.

Recommended Police Officer courses

Police Recruitment and Selection Processes Overview

Course Line On Demand

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- 1.9 hours · Self-paced
- Certificate(s) included
- Tutor support
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...by UK police forces or national recruitment bodies. The course is organised into nine structured lectures , followed by a final assessment. Lecture 1 introduces policing in the UK, outlining the structure of the police system, the core responsibilities of police officers, and why …
£19.99
Access to Higher Education Diploma (Public Sector Services and Policing) Ref. 400/0960/9

Access Courses Online

Online classroom based course with study materials, tutor support and no exam
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- 79 enquiries
- Online
- 9 months · Part-time
- Regulated qualification
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...within a variety of fields: Police officer Probation Service officer Prison Service officer Prison warden Intelligence analyst Security manager Police community support officer Politician's assistant Public affairs consultant Public relations officer Court officer Security consultant …
£1,199