Police Scotland selection process
Our selection process is designed to identify people who demonstrate they have the potential to make a difference for the people, places, and communities of Scotland.
Becoming a Police Officer is not a short or easy process, and each step demands dedication and commitment.
The selection is designed to test your aptitude, character, and physical suitability for the job.
Application Form
The application form is split into two parts.
1 - Eligibility assessment.
2 - Main police officer application form.
Your responses should be completed by you and in your own words, this will allow us to fully assess your personal motivations for, and expectations of the role, your preparation for the application, and your skills, experiences, and values.
We do offer support to complete your application form. You can discuss a reasonable adjustment or request specific arrangements at any point in the application process. Full details are available here.
You can read through the application form in advance if it helps get an idea of what info you will be expected to provide.
Police Scotland Entrance Test (PSET)
Our Police Scotland Entrance Test (PSET) consists of one examination paper with three core elements - numeracy, literacy and information handling. You will be required to answer 49 questions in 60 minutes.
You must pass all three elements of the PSET examination paper.
Fitness Test
We do need you to be physically active and maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle. We expect you to be at the peak of your physical fitness, having prepared in advance of the fitness assessment.
The fitness assessment will assess whether you are fit for the job and ready for Officer Safety Training.
The Multi-stage fitness test, also known as the bleep test.
The test involves running between two lines, 15m apart, in time with a beep. The beeps get steadily faster. Your score is based on the point where you can no longer keep up.
The standard required for a police officer is 5.4.
You will be given full instruction and guidance by the Physical Training Instructor prior to taking the fitness assessment.
Assessment Day
During the assessment day you will undertake exercises specifically designed to assess your potential to become a Police Officer. All of the exercises are assessed against the Police Scotland Competencies and Values Framework (CVF). All of the Competencies and Values are assessed throughout the course of the assessment day. These exercises include:
Morning:
- Unassessed ice breaker activity
2. Group task
- 10-minutes independent reading and comprehension of a short, policing-related scenario (approx. 500-600 words)
- 40-minute group discussion about the scenario
- 10-minute group briefing to assessors about the scenario
- 10-minute assessor Q&A
3.Situational Judgment Exercise
- Within your assessment group you will all be verbally presented with an unfolding, hypothetical policing scenario by assessors and asked individually about your considerations and intended course of action
- This is a reactive exercise with no reading or comprehension time
- The total assessment time for the exercise is 40-minutes
Please note: although all morning exercises are set within a policing context, there is no requirement for any policing, legal or procedural knowledge.
If you are successful in the morning, you will progress to the afternoon stage of the assessment day.
Afternoon:
- Competency-based Interview –
- A 20-minute competency-based interview consisting of four questions
- All questions align to a competency within the Police Scotland CVF, the competency assessed will be outlined to you with the delivery of the question
Final Stages
Final Stage medical assessment.
You will be required to attend an appointment with our healthcare provider to confirm you are fit and healthy and meet the standard required of an operational police officer. This includes an eyesight test and BMI check.
Final stage substance misuse testing.
Final stage employer references.
Final stage full vetting checks.
Please note: random substance misuse testing may be undertaken at any stage of the process in addition to the final stage test.
If you require reasonable adjustments and/or have a neurodiverse condition, please visit the reasonable adjustments section to find out what support we can offer.