The Police Regulations 2003

Qualifications for appointment to a police force

10.—(1) A candidate for appointment to a police force—

(a) must, if not a national of a State which is a Contracting Party(1) to the Agreement on the European Economic Area signed at Oporto on 2nd May 1992(2) as adjusted by the Protocol signed at Brussels on 17th March 1993(3), have leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for an indefinite period;

(b) must produce satisfactory references as to character, and, if he has served in any police force, in the armed forces, in the civil service or as a seaman, produce satisfactory proof of his good conduct while so serving;

(c) must have attained the age of 18 years 6 months;

(d) must be certified by a registered medical practitioner approved by the police authority to be in good health, of sound constitution and fitted both physically and mentally to perform the duties on which he will be employed after appointment;

(e) must meet the standard of eyesight determined by the Secretary of State;

(f) must, if a candidate for appointment in the rank of constable, satisfy the chief officer that he is sufficiently competent in written and spoken English, and sufficiently numerate, by passing such assessments in written and spoken English, and numeracy, as may be approved by the Secretary of State;

(g) must, if a candidate for appointment in the rank of sergeant, or inspector, be qualified for promotion to such rank in accordance with the provisions of the Promotion Regulations;

(h) must give such information as may be required as to his previous history or employment or any other matter relating to his appointment to the police force.

(2) A candidate for appointment to a police force shall be given a notice in terms approved by the Secretary of State drawing attention to the terms and conditions of service which shall be contained therein.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) “armed forces” means the naval, military or air forces of the Crown including any women’s service administered by the Defence Council, and

(b) “seaman” has the same meaning as in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995(4).

(1)

The current members of the European Economic Area are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

(2)

OJ, No. L1, 3.1.94, p3.

(3)

OJ, No. L1, 3.1.94, p571.

(4)

1995 c. 21.