Eligibility criteria

The police service is committed to maintaining the highest levels of honesty and integrity and to preventing corrupt, dishonest, unethical or unprofessional behaviour. Vetting helps support this, reducing the risks of unauthorised disclosure or loss of sensitive police information.

Public confidence in the police is crucial, particularly as we "police by consent." Public confidence in policing depends on officers, staff, Specials and volunteers demonstrating the highest standards of personal and professional behaviour.

The public must have confidence that police vetting processes are effective in identifying those who might pose a risk to the community. The police service must also be alive to the threat from organised crime groups and others who might try to gain access to police systems and intelligence.

Vetting helps identify people who are unsuitable to work in the police service. This includes those who are unsuitable through criminal activity or association, those who have a clear lack of honesty and those who are financially vulnerable.

Vetting helps us to maintain a healthy organisation.

Please note the following is provided as guidance; any successful application is assessed on a case by case basis and is subject to an individual successfully passing vetting.

The Chief Constable reserves the right to reject any application.

You will be expected to detail all convictions and cautions (including those spent). Police National Computer (PNC) records will be checked and any omissions could affect the outcome of the vetting process. This will be reviewed on a case by case basis. This information will NOT be divulged to your family or employer. For more information, please visit the Home Office guidance (opens in a new window) on recruitment.

Applicants should be British Citizens, or passport holders from a full EU Member State. You can also apply if you’re a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK with indefinite leave to remain. All applicants must have been resident in the UK for the three years immediately preceding application.

If you are struggling with debt, you may still be able to apply. You just need to supply us with evidence of your ability to manage your debts successfully. However, if you have any outstanding county court judgments or you are an undischarged bankrupt, then you are automatically ineligible.

You will be asked to run between two points 15 metres apart, in time with a series of bleeps. The timing between bleeps is slow at first but the bleep becomes faster as the test progresses. You will be given full instructions on the day of the test and can make sure you’re prepared by watching the fitness test explained.

This is a face-to-face, group exercise focusing on the competencies associated with the role of the Police Community Support Officer.

For biometric vetting we will take a sample of your fingerprints and a DNA sample (mouth swab), then checks will be made against the appropriate databases. We search to determine whether you have come to police attention or associated with a crime.

We will verify your identification on the day and take photocopies to accompany your baseline vetting form. Further vetting forms will be sent to successful candidates following the assessment centre. You will be asked to supply an email address so that our vetting officer can forward you the necessary links in order to complete a comprehensive vetting form.

• You must have experience in a public facing role.
• You must be proficient in IT technology.
• You must have excellent communication and engagement skills.
• Applicants must hold a full, clean manual driving licence at the point of application.