British Police Nationality Requirements

[Mullen]

Im a citizen of an EU country and would like to get a job with a British police department but Ive read conflicting accounts about whether or not you have to be a British citizen. Ive lived in the US most of my life so language isnt a problem.

Also, what age maximums are there? I read somewhere that in Ireland you cant be over 26 and if thats the case in the UK too, Id just miss it.

[Oldbillplod]

I spoke with my my force about this only last week as someone else was asking.
For my force you have to live in this country for a year (some it's two) and have a passport which allows you unlimited access to this country.
I maximum age limit for England is 45, can't comment on Ireland

[fatboyjim154]

In the Met police there is no upper age limit to join but you must ba able to retire at 55. so if you're 50 I doubt they'd take you.

Click me for a link to Recruitment page.

Type in simple questions ike "age limit" or "nationality"

Jim

[Mullen]

Yes, thanks. Thats not too bad I guess. Just have to do something else for a year or however long.

[chewy]

So you don't need to be a citizen of the UK?, just to live in the area for a few years? or do you need to be a citizen AND live in the municipality area? I ask because my wife and I are trying to get overseas for our Container Security thing and now that the UK has the new Pet passport system we won't have to quarantine our animals for 6months anymore which means she wants to go. I would like to move there and stay for ever but getting a job might be tough at first.

[Mr Crustacean]

Hopefully the attached will assist.

You can also check out the following sites:

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/defa...n=article&ID=1

http://www.police.uk/

Because we don't have a National police force as such you will need to contact individual forces to see who is recruiting.

EU = European Union (now 25 members not 15 as stated).

EEA = European Economic Area.


Q: How old do I need to be to join the police service?
A: The minimum age you can apply is 18 years although you will not be appointed until you reach the age of 18 years 6 months.

Q: Is there any upper limit on age for joining the police service?
A: There is no upper age limit for appointment but you need to bear in mind that the normal retirement age for police constables and sergeants is 55 years. You should also be aware that all new recruits are required to undertake a two-year probationary period

Q: I am a Commonwealth citizen. Can I join the police service?
A: To be eligible for appointment you must either be: 1. A British Citizen or a citizen of the EC or other states in the EEA (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein). If you are a member of the EC or other states in the EEA it is not essential that you currently reside in the UK. There are 15 EC member states: Ireland Finland Netherlands Belgium France Germany Luxembourg Portugal Spain Italy Denmark Sweden Greece Austria Or: 2. A Commonwealth citizen or other foreign nationals can apply but only if they are resident in the UK free of any restrictions. If you have any further queries contact your chosen force directly.

Q: I am a foreign national. Can I join the UK police service?
A: To be eligible for appointment you must either be: 1. A British Citizen or a citizen of the EC or other states in the EEA (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein). If you are a member of the EC or other states in the EEA it is not essential that you currently reside in the UK. There are 15 EC member states: Ireland Finland Netherlands Belgium France Germany Luxembourg Portugal Spain Italy Denmark Sweden Greece Austria Or: 2. A Commonwealth citizen or other foreign nationals can apply but only if they are resident in the UK free of any restrictions. If you have any further queries contact your chosen force directly.

Q: What are the nationality criteria for joining the police service?
A: To be eligible for appointment you must either be: 1. A British Citizen or a citizen of the EC or other states in the EEA (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein). If you are a member of the EC or other states in the EEA it is not essential that you currently reside in the UK. There are 15 EC member states: Ireland Finland Netherlands Belgium France Germany Luxembourg Portugal Spain Italy Denmark Sweden Greece Austria Or: 2. A Commonwealth citizen or other foreign nationals can apply but only if they are resident in the UK free of any restrictions. If you have any further queries contact your chosen force directly.


Crustacean.

[fatboyjim154]

So you don't need to be a citizen of the UK?, just to live in the area for a few years? or do you need to be a citizen AND live in the municipality area? I ask because my wife and I are trying to get overseas for our Container Security thing and now that the UK has the new Pet passport system we won't have to quarantine our animals for 6months anymore which means she wants to go. I would like to move there and stay for ever but getting a job might be tough at first.

Sorry Chewy YOU'LL be the one in quanrantine, wookies are not covered by pet passports!

[Marcin]

Hi, I am 35 years old Polish police officer. I have worked as a policeman for sixteen years. Currently, I am Deputy Chief of CID at the Railway Police Station in Warsaw. I am a lawyer, during my law studies I majored in criminology. I also served on three UN missions in Kosovo and Bosnia. Now I can get an early retirement at any time from the Polish Police after completion of 15 years of service. I started to seriously think about joining the British Police service to continue my career and to serve another 20 or 30 years with the police. I called a few departments and they informed me that I have to be a British resident for some time. The only exception so far was BTP (British Transport Police). Just recently I have applied to join that department. Do you know whether the recruitment process and competition to join the police are tough? Do you have any tips how to prepare oneself to pass it at the first attempt? Do you know any other police departments where residency is not essential? Marcin