Police Constables (PCs)

Interested in becoming a Police Constable in Cheshire?

The recruitment process for Cheshire Constabulary has changed. Like many other Forces, the Cheshire Constabulary has moved towards requesting that those applying to become police officers, do so with a professional qualification in Policing, Law and Investigation. This brings the police service in line with other professions, such as teaching and health, where those applying to join must have first completed the necessary academic course.

The Constabulary has joined with  the University of Chester in offering a two year Foundation degree course in Policing, Law, and Investigation, with the option of an additional third year to attain a BSc.

The Foundation Degree in Policing, Law and Investigation starts at the University of Chester in September and has been designed to equip aspiring police officers with the relevant skills and knowledge required for a career as a police officer. The course will be a future requirement for all new police recruits in Cheshire.

An exciting and rewarding career

Working as a Police Constable is an exciting and rewarding career with the chance to explore acadamic and vocational oppurtunities. Not only is the selection process rigorous and demanding, but the policing role itself asks much of officers who are appointed. The job is mentally and often physically challenging and requires personal energy, resilience and commitment.

So you want to be a Police Constable? You'll need to have the following attributes:

  • Honesty and integrity
  • Physical fitness
  • Sensitivity and tact
  • Communication skills
  • Drive and determination
  • Rational decision making
  • An ability to work independently and as part of a team

But first you'll have to meet our minimum requirements for age, residency and physical fitness.

You'll also have to uphold The Police Service Statement of Common Values and Cheshire Constabulary's values:

Service

Providing a service with the positive consent and support of all our communities

Professionalism

Striving to improve our skills and expertise in order to improve performance.

Integrity

Maintaining the trust and confidence of our diverse communities demands us to be honest and ethical in how we conduct our business. It also requires rigorous and objective investigation and appropriate remedial action to be taken when appropriate.

Compassion

Delivering services in a sympathetic and considerate manner and maintaining a duty of care to victims, witnesses and the public in general.

Equality and Fairness

Underpinning everything we do is a commitment to equality and fairness in the delivery of services to the public and in our treatment of each other. This involves being proactive in tackling discriminatory behaviour, particularly relating to age, disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

The Police Service Statement of Common Purpose and Values

The purpose of the Police Service is to uphold the law fairly and firmly; to prevent crime; to pursue and bring to justice those who break the law; to keep the Queen's Peace; to protect, help and reassure the community; and to be seen to do all this with integrity, common sense and sound judgement.

We must be compassionate, courteous and patient, acting without fear or favour or prejudice to the rights of others. We need to be professional, calm and restrained in the face of violence and apply only that force which is necessary to accomplish our lawful duty.

We must strive to reduce the fears of the public and so far as we can, to reflect their priorities in the action we take. We must respond to well founded criticism with a willingness to change.