Police Service of Northern Ireland Regulations 2005

Qualifications for appointment (where no service as police trainee)

10.—(1) A candidate for appointment to the police service, other than a person who has completed a period of service as a police trainee, shall—

(a)if not a national of a Member State, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, have leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for an indefinite period;

(b)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)have attained the age of 18 years;

(d)be certified by a registered medical practitioner approved by the Chief Constable to be fitted both physically and mentally to perform the duties on which he will be employed after appointment;

(e)satisfy the Chief Constable 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;

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

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

(h)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 service;

(i)be ineligible for appointment if Schedule 2 (criminal convictions etc.) applies in relation to him.

(2) A candidate for appointment to the police service 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)the expression “armed forces” means the naval, military or air forces of the Crown including any women’s service administered by the Defence Council; and

(b)the expression “seaman” has the same meaning as in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995(1).