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Can I Join?

PSNI is delighted that you are considering a career with us 

We understand that you might have some questions before you start your application, so take some time to read through the information in this section. We would also encourage you to read the Guidance for Police Staff Applicants document, which provides key details about the police staff recruitment process you will participate in. 

All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Age: Applicants must have reached their 16th birthday on or before the date of application. Some of our specialist roles may have an age criteria of 18 due to the nature of duties.
  • Nationality: Being from outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland does not stop you from applying to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, although you must be able to provide evidence that you have the right to work in the United Kingdom. 
  • Education: Please refer to the requirements stated in the person specification of the advertised job description.
  • Computer Literacy: For the majority of police staff roles, no formal IT qualifications are required (unless otherwise specified). Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the level of computer literacy required to effectively perform the role being applied for. 

In addition, there are certain standards associated with medical conditions and vetting (check of criminal record, finances etc.) that you must comply with.

We understand that you might have some questions about these requirements before you start your application, so take time to read the information below.

Eligibility

Age

Age

You must be at least 16 years old, this means that:

  • Your 16th birthday should be on or before the date of application.

Some of our specialist roles may have an age criteria of 18 due to the nature of the duties.

Nationality / Being from outside the UK

Nationality / Being from outside the UK

Being from outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland does not stop you from applying to the Police Service of Northern Ireland, although you must be able to provide evidence that you have the right to work in the United Kingdom. 

This evidence has to be supplied in the following format:

  • A copy of a passport or other travel document endorsed to show that the person named is exempt from immigration control and have the right to work in the United Kingdom;
  • Or a letter issued by the Home Office confirming that the person named have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

Please note that this nationality criteria may be subject to change in line with emerging government guidance regarding the implications of EU Exit on immigration legislation.  Any relevant updates will be communicated to applicants in due course.  For further information please refer to:  https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/working-northern-Ireland

Please note that candidates who pass the assessment stages will be asked to provide evidence regarding right to work in due course.

Education / Qualifications

Education / Qualifications

There are a wide variety of police staff roles within the Police Service of Northern Ireland and each will have specific academic, professional or technical qualification requirements. These will be clearly stated on the person specification of the advertised job description.

Where applicable, you will be asked to provide proof of relevant academic, professional or technical qualifications.  Copies of your certificates must be brought to or provided at Assessment stage.  Where this has not been possible formal qualifications must be validated as a pre-employment check before any offer of appointment can be made.  If we do not receive copies of your qualifications within the specified time frame you will not be appointed to the Police Service of Northern Ireland. 

If your educational qualifications were obtained outside the United Kingdom or you are unsure as to the equivalency of your qualifications, please see the guidance on equivalent qualifications at http://ofqual.gov.uk/help-and-advice/comparing-qualifications .

If your qualifications are not comparable under this guidance, it is unlikely that your application will proceed beyond Assessment stage.

It is the responsibility of all candidates to ensure that their education qualifications meet the criteria required.

Detailed FAQs on education qualifications can be found here. 

Computer Literacy

Computer Literacy

For the majority of police staff roles, no formal IT qualifications are required (unless otherwise specified). Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the level of computer literacy required to effectively perform the role being applied for.  

Standards Required

Medical

Medical

A Medical History Questionnaire will be issued to you as part of the pre-employment checks.  This should be completed and returned to Occupational Health and Wellbeing by the date specified.  

This form will enable the Occupational Health Nursing Adviser to make a general assessment as to whether you comply with the medical standards required of the job for which you have applied.  If appropriate, you may also be seen by an Occupational Health Medical Adviser, who may in some circumstances carry out a physical examination.

A "Yes" answer does not mean you will be automatically rejected and you should provide as much detail to your answers as possible. In addition, provision of additional medical information as outlined in the accompanying cover letter, will ensure that all relevant medical evidence has been considered and reduce the likelihood of any delays to your application.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland is an Equal Opportunities employer and recruits on the basis of ability not perceived disability.  The information you give about your medical history or any disability will assist Occupational Health and Wellbeing to assess where “adjustments” to working practice and/or working environment may be needed.

All medical information provided by you remains entirely confidential to Occupational Health and Wellbeing and shall form part of your Occupational Health record if appointed.

Following the health assessment you will be considered to be one of the following:

  • Fit for full role or
  • Unable to undertake full duties of the described job role and adjustments are advised, which a Pre-employment Disability Adjustment Panel will consider.


Criminal Convictions

Criminal Convictions

You will not be considered for appointment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland if you have served any of the following: 

  • A Custodial Sentence
  • A Suspended Sentence
  • A period of detention at a Young Offenders Centre
  • If you have been convicted of causing death or GBH by dangerous or reckless driving or if you have received more than one period of disqualification from driving.

Additionally, if you have been convicted of an offence, have breached a court order, or received a caution, this may be taken into account when considering your application. 

More information on criminal convictions can be found in the Vetting section of Police Staff Guidance for Applicants (1MB).

Other Questions

What if I have a Disability or other conditions?

What if I have a Disability or other conditions?

If you have a disability or other condition, you will be considered individually on your merit.  The Police Service of Northern Ireland is an Equal Opportunities employer and recruits on the basis of ability not perceived disability.  The Police Service of Northern Ireland Occupational Health and Wellbeing team will consult with you and consideration will be given to whether there are reasonable adjustments to working practice and/or working environment that can be made to enable you to do the job now and for a reasonable time. 

If you have needs relating to ANY disabilities or other conditions (including hidden disabilities or conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder) and would like this to be considered for an adjustment at assessment stage so that you can attend and fully participate, you will have the option to seek an adjustment in the recruitment process when completing the Reasonable Adjustments section of the application form. 

After you have submitted your application, you must submit your most recent evidence relating to your disability or condition (including hidden disabilities or conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder) prepared by your doctor or other appropriate professional. This must be provided by email to PoliceStaffRecruitment@psni.police.uk no later than 10 working days after the closing date. We would therefore advise you to get your paperwork in order now in readiness to send when required.  

Your report(s) will be reviewed by a suitably qualified professional and we will then notify you in advance of your assessment stage about any adjustments (if any) that can be allowed. Candidates should highlight to us any intention to seek an adjustment in the recruitment process at the outset of applying. 

You should email PoliceStaffRecruitment@psni.police.uk if you have any queries relating to general assessment arrangements and we will respond accordingly. 

If you would like to request a reasonable adjustment during the assessment stage of the recruitment process please refer to the guidance document linked to below, which outlines all relevant instructions.


Police Staff Recruitment - Guidance on Requesting Reasonable Adjustment Needs

The guidance is provided in both webpage format and PDF format. (The guidance provided in both the webpage and PDF is the same).   

What if I have Dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difficulty?

What if I have Dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difficulty?

The Police Service of Northern Ireland welcomes applications from people with Dyslexia or other Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs).  

You will have the opportunity to declare your intention to seek a reasonable adjustment, so that you can attend and fully participate the assessment stage of the recruitment process, when completing the Reasonable Adjustments Section of your online application form.  As part of the application process if you wish to declare reasonable adjustment needs relating to Dyslexia or other Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD), you will be obliged to submit your most recent diagnostic report, addressing assessment adjustment needs in support of your request from a qualified Educational Psychologist or other suitably qualified professional (e.g. certain chartered psychologists or in some circumstances specialist teachers with a current Practicing Certificate in SpLD Assessment).  Full and complete supporting evidence must be provided by email to PoliceStaffRecruitment@psni.police.uk no later than 10 working days after the closing date.  We would therefore advise you to get your paperwork in order now in readiness to send when required.  

Your report(s) will be reviewed by a suitably qualified professional and we will then notify you in advance of your assessment event about any adjustments (if any) that can be allowed. Candidates should highlight to us any intention to seek an adjustment in the recruitment process at the outset of applying.

If you have another communication need you should email PoliceStaffRecruitment@psni.police.uk with the detail – the Police Staff Recruitment Team will get in touch with you to assess if any necessary adjustments to assessment conditions are needed.

You should email PoliceStaffRecruitment@psni.police.uk if you have any queries relating to general assessment arrangements and we will respond accordingly.

If you would like to request a reasonable adjustment to testing please refer to the guidance document linked to below, which outlines all relevant instructions.


Police Staff Recruitment - Guidance on Requesting Reasonable Adjustment Needs

The guidance is provided in both webpage format and PDF format. (The guidance provided in both the webpage and PDF is the same).