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Frequently Asked Questions
Are Cambridgeshire Constabulary currently recruiting?
How old do I have to be before I can apply?
How much will I be paid on appointment?
Is there an upper age limit when applying?
Can I apply with Criminal Convictions or Cautions?
Do I have to be a British Citizen?
If I am female or a member of a minority group, will my application be discriminated against?
Can I apply if I have County Court Judgements against me?
Can I apply if I have been declared bankrupt?
What qualifications do I need to become a Police Officer?
How long does the recruitment process take?
Can I apply to more than one force at a time?
If I am unsuccessful at any stage of the recruitment process, when can I re-apply?
Do you have to be tall to join the Police?
Can I wear religious clothing?
How long is the probationary period?
Do you have to work shifts?
How long do I have to be a Police Officer before I can join other departments such as the Dog Team?
What happens in a drugs test?
Who can apply?
Can I apply if I have tattoos?
What does the recruitment process involve?
What happens in a medical examination?
What does the fitness test involve?
Are Cambridgeshire Constabulary currently recruiting?
Unfortunately Cambridgeshire Constabulary is not currently recruiting for Police Officers.
How old do I have to be before I can apply?
You can submit your application at 18 years of age, but appointment cannot be made until you are 18 years and 6 months.
How much will I be paid on appointment?
You will be paid £22,680 on appointment, rising to £25,317 when you achieve independent status.
Is there an upper age limit when applying?
There is no upper age limit for appointment but bear in mind that normal retirement age for Federated ranks, Police Constable – Chief Inspector is 60 and for higher ranks, Superintendents to ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) is 65. New recruits are required to undertake a two year probationary period.
Can I apply with Criminal Convictions or Cautions?
You may be eligible to join with minor convictions or cautions, but this depends on how old you were at the time and what the conviction or caution was for. There are certain types of offences which will lead to instant rejection, such as murder, manslaughter, death by reckless driving, rape, kidnapping, firearms offences, gross indecency, hostage taking, hi-jacking or torture. You are also not eligible to apply if you have received a caution within the last 5 years or if you have committed a drink driving offence within the last 10 years.
Do I have to be a British Citizen?
To be eligible for appointment you must be a British Citizen or an EC or EEA national or a Commonwealth Citizen or Foreign National with no restrictions on your stay in the UK. You must have also lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years prior to your application.
If I am female or a member of a minority group, will my application be discriminated against?
Cambridgeshire Constabulary particularly welcome and encourage applications from female and ethnic minority groups as they are under represented. The principles of fair and open competition apply and appointments will be made on merit. Cambridgeshire Constabulary operate a positive action programme and support is provided throughout the recruitment process.
Can I apply if I have County Court Judgements against me?
Yes, as long as the County Court Judgements have been discharged.
Can I apply if I have been declared bankrupt?
Applicants who have been registered as bankrupt and their bankruptcy debts have been discharged will only be considered after 3 years from discharge of the debt.
What qualifications do I need to become a Police Officer?
There are no formal educational requirements to become a Police Officer, but applicants must undergo two written tests and a numerical test. Therefore a good standard of English and Maths is required. You must also hold a full UK driving license to be eligible to apply.
How long does the recruitment process take?
Due to the high volume of applications we are receiving, the recruitment process is taking up to 18 months.
Can I apply to more than one force at a time?
No, you can only apply to one force at any one time.
If I am unsuccessful at any stage of the recruitment process, when can I re-apply?
If you are unsuccessful at any stage of the recruitment process, you will have to wait 6 months from the date of rejection before you can re-apply.
Do you have to be tall to join the Police?
No, there are no longer any height restrictions in place.
Can I wear religious clothing?
Cambridgeshire Constabulary respects individuals needs, particularly religious or cultural needs. A number of our officers wear a turban whilst on duty. We will also try wherever possible to accommodate other forms of religious clothing.
How long is the probationary period?
The probationary period for Police Constables is 2 years.
Yes, you will be assigned to a division on joining and work a shift pattern which will include a variety of shifts which will cover 24 hours a day 7 days a week. An example of which would be 2 earlies, which is normally 06:00 to 14:00, 2 lates, normally 14:00 to 22:00 and 2 nights, normally 22:00 to 06:00.
How long do I have to be a Police Officer before I can join other departments such as the Dog Team?
All Police Officers during their probation period will work in a Reactive Unit, answering emergency calls from the public. Once your probation period has successfully been completed, normally 2 years, you are free to apply for specialist posts.
Please read 'What happens in a medical examination?'
Cambridgeshire Constabulary welcomes applications from everyone over the age of 18, in particular female and ethnic minority groups as they are under represented. The principles of fair and open competition apply and appointments will be made on merit. Cambridgeshire Constabulary operate a positive action programme and support is provided throughout the recruitment process.
Can I apply if I have tattoos?
Yes, however, tattoos MUST be covered up at all times whilst on duty by means of uniform clothing. Applicants with tattoos above the face, neck, hands or lower wrist are not eligible to apply.
What does the recruitment process involve?
After being successful at the application shortlisting stage you will be invited to attend an NPIA (National Police Improvement Agency) assessment centre. The Police Constable Assessment Centre comprises of four elements.
- An interview.
- 4 x Interactive exercises (i.e role play).
- 2 x Written exercises.
- 2 x Psychometric tests (verbal and numerical).
After successfully completing the assessment centre, you will be required to undertake a fitness test and a medical examination.
What happens in a medical examination?
The medical examination will comprise of 30 minutes with the Occupational Health Nurse Advisor, prior to an examination with the Force Medical Advisor which will take approximately 15 minutes. The Nurse looks at:
- Previous medical history.
- Height and Weight.
- Urine testing.
- Hearing test.
- Lung function.
- Eye test including colour blindness – applicants must be able to read the first two lines of an opticians chart unaided.
What does the fitness test involve?
Currently all new Police Officer recruits are required to achieve a minimum level of fitness. This is tested by measuring cardio vascular efficiency, and our requirement is to achieve 5/4 in a bleep test i.e. to achieve running at a speed at level 5 for at least four lengths in the test. Following this, the Force requires each individual to work towards a fitness level of 7/1 before they complete their probation. Applicants are also required to push 34kg and pull 35kg on the upper-body strength test. (You are entitled to 3 attempts at the fitness test should they be required).
Queries
If you have any further queries please email the recruitment team on or contact the recruitment team on 01480 422756.
