PC Application FAQs
| Do I need a driving license to apply? | All applicants must possess a Full UK Manual Driving Licence. |
| How old do I need to be to apply? | To be eligible to apply, you must be age 17 years at the point of application and 18 years at the point of start date. |
| What is the maximum age for applying? | There is no upper age limit for applying to the police service, but bear in mind that the normal retirement age is 60 years and that new constable recruits are required to undertake either a two year or three year probationary period. |
| When does the online application process start and finish? | These details can typically be found on the advert. The average recruitment process can take 4-6 months. |
| I currently have a live application to join with another police force, can I apply to Cheshire? | Yes you are still eligible to apply while you have a live application at any stage with another force. |
| Can I apply if I have tattoos or piercings? | Yes, but if you have visible tattoos they must not be offensive and if you have facial piercings, they must be safe. As part of the application process, you will be asked to submit details of your tattoos and may be asked to provide photos. |
| Will I be rejected if I have tattoos? | Any candidates with tattoos which could be construed as being offensive to any religion or belief, is in any way discriminatory, violent or intimidating, will not be accepted to join Cheshire Constabulary. If you do have tattoos you are required to declare this at application as well as providing a brief description of these tattoos along with clear photographs at the point of application. Please note if you do not meet the standard you will be withdrawn. |
| How do I contact Cheshire Constabulary about my application? | Regular updates will be provided and candidates can contact Talent Acquisition about their application by emailing [email protected]. Candidates are advised not to call 999 or 101 in relation to their application. |
| I have applied from an area that may be considered too far to commute, will this affect my application? | There is no catchment area requirement however successful candidates can be posted to any LPU across Cheshire. If not in a commutable distance to Cheshire Constabulary you may need to consider moving to an area closer to work. |
| I have a previous caution as a minor, but can’t remember dates. Would I need include this on my application form? | Include as much information as possible, including cautions and traffic offences regardless of how recent they are. Where you don’t have specific dates, provide all the details that are available so this can be reviewed accurately. |
| Do I need to notify changes to my personal circumstances? | Any significant changes in personal circumstances during your application, such as permanent partner, new residents at your home, change of address, arrests, cautions or convictions or association with criminals should be notified to Talent Acquisition ([email protected]). |
| Can I decide to withdraw from the recruitment process at any point? | The short answer is yes you can. Policing is an exciting but equally challenging role, which is not for everyone. However, we do ask that all prospective police officers fully consider these challenges and their suitability before submitting their application. |
| How long does the recruitment process take? | The recruitment process can be quite lengthy as your application will go through several stages, each applicant may progress at different stages if we need to wait for additional information i.e. medical. On average we advise between 4 - 6 months. |
| Can you still join the police without a degree? | Yes. The Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) entry route does not require you to have a degree. On the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) route you will be working towards the completion of a professional degree-level apprenticeship as part of this entry route which will need to be successfully completed prior to being confirmed in post. Be aware you would need to meet the minimum entry requirements for the PCDA programme and pass the recruitment process set out by Cheshire Constabulary and University of Chester. |
| When is the latest predicted grades can be received? | We will need to know your final grades prior to any start date with the Constabulary. For example, if you are not due to receive results until August, you would not be able to secure a space on an intake unless after August. |
| I have submitted my application, what happens now? | Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by our Talent Acquisition team against the eligiblity criteria for the role of Police Constable in Cheshire Constabulary. This process will normally take 2-3 weeks to complete. |
| If my application is rejected can I reapply? | You can re-apply for the role of Police Constable but it is important to understand that there may be certain factors on your application form that are causing your application to be rejected. This can be factors such as tattoos, convictions, holding a driving licence etc. |
| I am sitting the online assessment with another force but I don't have my result yet? | You can only complete one Online Assessment Centre with one force at any one time. Therefore if you are sitting the Online Assessment with another force, we can place your application on hold until you receive the outcome of this assessment. Once your result has been received, you can send your feedback report across to the Talent Acquisition team and we can process your application accordingly. |