| Joining the police force is unlike any other career | | | | have a better understanding of human rights and |
| move. Police recruitment methods are entirely | | | | equality issues. |
| different to any other type of recruitment - | | | | Another thing that will vary between departments |
| apart, perhaps from the military or government | | | | is the physical requirements. Those involved in |
| positions. Most recruitment methods are fairly | | | | police recruitment often prefer candidates over a |
| straightforward. Employers advertise for staff | | | | certain height and below a certain weight. Most |
| either through a recruitment agency or by | | | | departments would also expect candidates to |
| advertising in newspapers, job centres and shop | | | | undergo a full medical before they are offered |
| windows. While initial police recruitment may | | | | training as a police officer. Physical fitness is |
| involve some sort of advertisement the | | | | generally a requirement for joining the force. |
| recruitment process is far more complicated. Just | | | | There are a number of other factors affecting |
| because you obtain an initial interview does not | | | | police recruitment, for example if a person has |
| necessarily mean that you are a suitable | | | | been convicted of a felony as an adult then this |
| candidate. | | | | would generally disqualify them. People with a drink |
| Police recruitment often involves evaluating | | | | or drug habit would also not be considered as |
| candidates' psychological responses and their | | | | suitable candidates. Some departments would also |
| personalities. Different forces will have their own | | | | disqualify candidates if they have a poor credit |
| ways of undertaking these tests but most will, | | | | rating. |
| nevertheless, involve this type of testing. The | | | | In the UK police recruitment begins with an |
| police will also want to test whether the candidate | | | | application form and this is one way of filtering |
| will abide by the police ethical code. It is now | | | | out people who might not make suitable police |
| preferred that prospective candidates for the | | | | officers. Once candidates have successfully |
| police force have a college degree. Don't expect | | | | completed these forms they are then put |
| police recruitment procedures to be the same | | | | through a rigorous testing process to assess their |
| everywhere you go. Some agencies will require | | | | suitability for the job. Candidates who pass these |
| different education qualifications to others. In the | | | | tests successfully will then be put through a |
| US candidates with a college degree would get | | | | probationary training period which is also the final |
| preference because it is believed that this | | | | selection process in police recruitment. Research |
| educational qualification means they have a better | | | | suggests that out of all potential candidates for |
| understanding of the issues facing the country. It | | | | joining the police only one out of seven will pass all |
| is also believed that greater educational | | | | the rigorous testing first time. |
| qualifications also mean that the candidate will | | | | |