Application criteria

A Police Officer with a member of the public in Sunderland Area CommandAge

Applicants can apply when they are 18, but cannot begin employment until the age of 18½. There are other ways you can become a part of the organisation and gain invaluable knowledge to help you get ready to become a police officer.

You could apply for police staff roles or join our register of temporary staff, working in the administration sections of headquarters departments or area commands.

Alternatively, you could look for a job which offers direct contact with the public, or volunteer for community work with, for instance, youth groups or those involving disabled or elderly people.


Nationality

To be eligible for appointment you must be a British citizen or a member of the EC or other states in the EEA (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein). Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals are also eligible but only if they are resident in the UK free of restrictions. A Police Officer with a member of the public in Sunderland Area Command


Tattoos

Tattoos are not a bar to appointment. However, some tattoos could potentially offend members of the public or colleagues, or could bring discredit to the police service. It depends on their size, nature and location and sometimes on the extent.  Tattoos are not acceptable if they:

  • Undermine the dignity and authority of the office of constable

  • Could cause offence to members of the public or colleagues and/or invite provocation

  • Are garish, numerous or particularly prominent

  • Indicate unacceptable attitudes towards women, minority groups or any other section of the community 

  • Indicate alignment with a particular group which could give offence to members of the public or colleagues

  • Are considered to be rude, lewd, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic, violent or intimidating

 

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