Selection Process

The SJT measures your ability to choose appropriate actions in situations similar to those you could face as a police constable. The SJT measures your judgement and ability to make effective decisions against the competency and values framework.

Please note that if you are required to do the SJT, you will need to complete it in the same sitting as the competency-based interview (CBI) from the online assessment process.

You will be asked a series of questions about how you have dealt with specific situations in the past. This is your opportunity to provide some examples of the key competencies and values that are important for police constables. You can use examples from both your work and your personal life.

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have to complete an urgent written task for your line manager. You will receive four items of information to help you with this task.

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have responsibility for dealing with some issues presented to you. You will be tasked with providing a response to a number of questions in relation to this issue. You will be provided with preparation materials to consider your answer.

Some people taking online assessments need extra help or more time.

If you have any condition that might cause you to be disadvantaged during the online assessment process, temporary or otherwise (for example, pregnancy, injury, medical conditions, disability or neurodivergence such as dyslexia and autism) you may be entitled to accommodation or reasonable adjustment.

Any accommodation or reasonable adjustment provided for the online assessment process will be based on the supporting information provided to your recruiting force in a relevant report, produced by an appropriately qualified professional.

If you are successful, you will receive a conditional offer and we will start progressing your pre-appointment checks, including vetting, medical, references, fitness test and a drugs test. Until these checks are complete you should not hand in your notice with your current employer.

Our vetting e-form asks for more details about you and those you live with. You will also be required to undertake biometric vetting, which involves your DNA and fingerprints being taken, and a hair sample will be taken for a drug test. Further details will be provided at the time.

A work health questionnaire must be completed and sent directly to the Occupational Health Department. Please complete the questionnaire carefully and thoroughly - if in doubt, disclose it. A full medical history must be disclosed as failure to do so may result in your application being rejected.

You will be asked to run to and fro along a 15 metre track in time with a series of bleeps. If you reach the end line before the bleep sounds you need to wait for the bleep before resuming your run and adjusting your speed. The time between bleeps gets progressively faster and it becomes more difficult to keep up with the required speed. To pass you need to reach a minimum of level 5.4.

References will need to be obtained from all employers (paid or otherwise) covering a minimum of three years.

Pre-employment checks take between three and six months. Once all checks have been concluded and approved, and a start date agreed, a final offer and conditions of service will be issued.

New intakes happen throughout the year. You will be notified nearer the time what your likely start date will be.

You will be required to successfully complete either a two year probation period on the DHEP programme, or a three year probation period on the PCDA programme.