Career Advice for a Police Officer

Working as a Police Officer, you will be responsible for enforcing the law, responding to emergencies, and investigating crimes.

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How to Become a Police Officer

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Police Officer

Should you wish to work as a Police Officer you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Police Officer

  • GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) in English and Maths.
  • A Level 3 qualification such as a BTEC or NVQ.
  • Passing the police officer selection process, including fitness and medical tests.

Key Responsibilities for a Police Officer

  • Patrolling designated areas to prevent and detect crime.
  • Responding to emergency calls and providing assistance.
  • Investigating crimes and gathering evidence.
  • Interviewing suspects and witnesses.
  • Preparing reports and presenting evidence in court.
  • Working with local communities to prevent crime and promote safety.

What to expect as a Police Officer

As a Police Officer in the UK, you will work for the police force to maintain law and order, protect members of the public, and prevent crime.

Recommended Police Officer Jobs

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How to get Police Officer Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Police Officer job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Police Officer application. If you have not held a Police Officer position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Police Officer role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Police Officer CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Police Officer application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Police Officer in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Police Officer 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Police Officer and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Police Officer experience.

How to get Police Officer Experience

What does it take to be a Police Officer? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Police Officer jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Police Officer through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Police Officer Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Police Officer part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Police Officer or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Police Officer freelance work

If you have impressive Police Officer qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.