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Eligibility Criteria

We welcome applications from people of all different backgrounds, cultures, religions, ages, gender and sexual orientation. However, there are some eligibility conditions that all applicants need to meet, so please check that you meet our requirements before submitting an application.

Explore the... Eligibility Criteria

Age & Citizenship

Criminal Record

Tattoos

Financial Situation

Age & Citizenship

You need to be 17 or over to apply but you must be 18 by the time of employment. 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. Applicants must have been resident in the UK for the three years immediately preceding application.

Criminal Record

If you have a criminal record, this doesn't mean you're automatically ineligible; it depends on the nature of your conviction.

Please declare cautions or convictions on your application form. If you have any questions on this, you can contact BCHCareers@herts.pnn.police.uk for advice.

Tattoos

Tattoos on your face, neck, arms or hands need to be reviewed on an individual basis.

Please supply photos and measurements of any tattoos along with your application.

Financial Situation

If you are in financial debt or have financial problems, you may still pass our vetting process as each case is looked at on an individual case by case basis. It is therefore important that you are open, honest and transparent in disclosing your financial matters.

Debt only become a problem where they are substantial and individuals fail to take remedial action or where they are caused by compulsive behaviour, such as gambling. These situations may indicate a sign of financial irresponsibility to the extent that the individual could become vulnerable to financial inducement.The specific circumstances surrounding those who have existing County Court Judgments [CCJ] outstanding against them or have been registered Bankrupt and have not discharged their bankruptcy, will be looked into on a case by case basis.

Minimum Entry Requirements

You must hold a full manual driving licence.

Pre-appointment checks

If you are successful in the selection process, you will receive a conditional offer, and we will start progressing your pre-appointment checks, which include: vetting, references, medical checks, drugs test and a fitness test.

You must be in good health with a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30. Your eyesight must be good and will be tested by distance, near sight and colour vision. You can apply if you wear spectacles or contact lenses.

You must have good fitness levels: you will need to achieve 5.4 on a bleep test.

For more information on pre-appointment checks, please see the applicant help section.

Applicant help

Vetting

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.

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.

Where an individual has failed to declare a conviction, caution or outstanding charges the application will be rejected on integrity grounds.

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