How to become a police officer In the UK each police force has its own separate recruitment process and selection policy. Recruitment is managed at a local level by individual forces, however nationally agreed competency tests are applied across the board. It has been estimated that up to 65,000 people apply every year to become police officer, with only a small percentage being successful. Joining the police force can be very competitive. Some constabularies have no height or formal education requirements. Experience of working as a Special constable can be in your favour . The application process First of all contact the local police authority and request a application pack. Go over this in detail, understand the questions and then fill it in and return it. Remember that the vast majority of applicants are rejected at this stage, so take time to complete it carefully. If your application is accepted then you will be given a date to attend an assessment centre where you will take part in physical and mental tests. This assessment can take up to 5 hours. You will have to undergo intense interviews, physical examinations, written exercises and numerical and verbal tests. Police Initial Recruitment Test or ' PIRT ' This is a standard national test for police entrance, and although not difficult you are advised to prepare for it. It consists of checking your ability to write sentences, check information quickly and solve numerical problems accurately. Significantly increase your chances of becoming a police officer