Information on how to prepare for the assessment centre and assessment centre scheduling
Details on the Assessment Centre
If you pass the Initial Selection Test and meet the Education Eligibility Criteria and Right to Work Criteria, you will be given an appointment to attend an Assessment Centre.
Please note that if you are invited to attend an Assessment Centre you will be given specific instructions on certain documentation (including Photographic ID) that you will be required to bring with you. Please follow all instructions carefully.
The Assessment Centre consists of a number of different exercises (including written exercises and role plays). You will be tested against the Competency Values Framework (CVF) for Policing Professionals* in a simulated policing environment. The Assessment Centre may also include a re-test of the IST and a check on your computer literacy.
In preparation for your Assessment Centre you should study the information provided by the College of Policing relation to the CVF. Think about how you will demonstrate these values and behaviours to assessors at your Assessment Centre. (Please note that your assessment will measure against Level 1 - Practitioner Level of the CVF).
For further general information on the Competency Values Framework, please visit the College of Policing's website:
More detailed information outlining the key elements of the CVF against which you will be assessed are included via the following link. The information includes a list of behaviours which you should aspire to and demonstrate during your Assessment Centre:
While preparing focus your attention on this document as follows:
- CVF Values:
Values are beliefs which are important to us as individuals, and which motivate particular behaviours and actions. Policing is a deeply ethical profession.
- Courage
- Respect and empathy
- Public service
- CVF Competencies:
Competencies are skills, abilities and practical behaviours that contribute to effective job performance.
- We are emotionally aware
- We take ownership
- We collaborate
- We support and inspire
- We analyse critically
- We are innovative and open-minded
At the Assessment Centre, professional assessors and lay assessors will assess you for defined values and behaviours during exercises. They will independently mark and then agree your rating for the exercise being examined. Their decision is final.
How to prepare for the Assessment Centre
Before the session
- Do not share information about Assessment Centre dates or venue via social media sites such as Facebook, X or any other online forum. Sharing such information is prohibited.
- It is important that you familiarise yourself with your Unique Identity Number (UID) which is noted at the top of your invite email.
- Be prepared and know what you are required to bring along to your Assessment Centre e.g. copy of invite email, ID etc.
- The Assessment Centre is based within a police setting, and you will be asked to assume the role of a constable. Therefore read the information provided on the joinpsni.co.uk website about the role and about the Police Service of Northern Ireland. In addition, you may want to carry out research on your own regarding the objectives and priorities for the Police Service of Northern Ireland over the next couple of years.
- Familiarise yourself with the CVF, which you will be assessed against, and think about how you will demonstrate the various values and behaviours to assessors.
- Plan your outfit the night before and get plenty of sleep. (There is no strict dress code, but many candidates choose to wear business attire).
- Bring your own stationery - at least a few pens.
- Bring your own wrist watch or stop watch as elements of the Assessment Centre are timed and it is your responsibility to manage your own time. You may not use a mobile phone or any smart device for timekeeping purposes - mobile phones are not permitted in the Assessment Centres.
- If you wear glasses, be sure to take them with you.
- Plan your journey and give yourself plenty of time to get to the session - you must arrive for the session in good time for registration purposes. Follow specific guidance around your arrival to the venue when emailed with your appointment.
- Take directions with you to avoid delays and last-minute panic.
- You may wish to bring some refreshments (in particular your own bottle of water) with you as the Assessment Centre may last up to 3.5 / 4 hours with some periods of waiting time between exercises.
Please note: The Police Service of Northern Ireland selection process (including the Assessment Centre) is a bespoke design which is delivered by and copyright to Deloitte. Please be cautious of unofficial training providers engaged in tutoring potential applicants on elements of the process. These training providers are not endorsed. N.B. no one outside of the Deloitte design team has the appropriate knowledge to help applicants prepare.
At the session
- Listen carefully to instructions.
- Do exactly as you are told.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions.
- Don't be discouraged if you find the exercises difficult.
- Focus on your own performance and not those around you.
- Try as hard as you can.
- Relax, be yourself and let your personality shine through.
Assessment Centre Scheduling
The Assessment Centres are held in locations in and around Belfast. The majority of sessions are held during weekdays and consist of morning and afternoon sessions. Exact details of the location of your appointment will be emailed by close of business on the Friday of the week before your appointment.
Rescheduling Assessment Centres
Given the large number of candidates it will not always be possible to reschedule allocated appointments. If you cannot make the appointment you have initially been scheduled to, you should contact the Recruitment Team immediately via info@joinpsni.co.uk to enquire if an alternative slot is available. However, please be aware that there may not always be any free slots to accommodate your request.
*Source: College of Policing Ltd
Contains information licensed under the Non-Commercial College Licence