The recruitment process

Step 1: Application form

The Cleveland Police application form will be hosted on our e-recruitment system. Please ensure you complete the application form fully. It is very important that you follow the instructions and submit the form within the required timescales, please note that incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Once submitted, you will receive a notification regarding the outcome of your application and if you are successful you will be invited to complete the Online National Sift.

Step 2: National sift

The national sift consists of two exercises. These reflect the competencies and values relevant to the role of a police constable. You will be asked to complete a situational judgement test (SJT) and a behavioural style questionnaire.

Find out more about the national sift here.

Step 3: Final interview/Assessment

For the final interview will be asked questions on the Competency and Values Framework for policing: 

• courage
• public service 
• respect and empathy
• emotionally aware
• taking ownership
• collaborative
• support and inspire
• analyse critically
• innovative and open-minded

More information on the Interview/Assessment will be provided to you at this stage. 

Step 4: Pre-employment checks

If you pass the assessment centre you will be put forward for the following checks:

• Medical and eyesight checks - we will ask to you complete a medical questionnaire and attend a health assessment with our occupational health team.
• Drug test - we also require you to undertake drug screening; this will take the form of a hair sample.
• Security vetting and financial checks - all candidates will be subject to our vetting procedures and financial checks.
• Biometrics - this will involve taking fingerprints and a DNA sample and checks made against the appropriate databases. If you are successfully appointed, your DNA profiles and fingerprints will be held on the Police Elimination Database. If you refuse to give a sample, we will not be able to proceed with your application.
• References – we will request references covering the previous 5 years of employment/education.

Step 5: Formal offer and training

Once you have successfully completed all of the pre-employment checks, you will be allocated a place on a training course and provided with your formal offer.