The Recruitment Process

Step 1: Self-Assessment of Eligibility

When the role of Police Constable is advertised, it will have attached to it documents which outline the eligibility requirements for the Police Constable.

Candidates are asked to review all of this documentation and ensure they are eligible to apply before completing a form. 

For more information on joining Cleveland Police please read the attached guidance document.

Step 2: The 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.

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.

We will check your eligibility to be a Police Officer and also against the route you have applied for.

Your answers will decide whether your application progresses to the next stage.

Step 3: 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.

National sift candidate guidance (pdf) 179.57 KB

Step 4: Police Online Assessment Centre

The online assessment process consists of a three-stage approach designed for the efficient assessment and recruitment of police constables. The three stages are:

• Competency-based interview (CBI)

You will be asked a series of questions about how you have dealt with specific situations in the past. This is your opportunity to provide some examples of the key competencies and values that are important for police constables. You can use examples from both your work and your personal life. 

• Written assessment and briefing exercise

Written assessment

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have to complete an urgent written task for your line manager. You will receive four items of information to help you with this task.

Briefing exercise

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have responsibility for dealing with some issues presented to you. You will be tasked with providing a response to a number of questions in relation to this issue. You will be provided with preparation materials to consider your answer.

Required Technology

You can complete the exercises on any internet-enabled device with a camera (laptop, tablet or phone), but to ensure full compatibility with the online platform, the following should be set up.

Your operating system should be Windows 7 (or higher) or Mac OS 10.11 (or higher).

Your browser should be the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari (Apple products only).

You should have the latest version of Adobe Flash installed, and you require a webcam and microphone to record responses.

Step 5: In-Force Interview/Assessment

This will be based around the Force Values and the Code of Ethics. More information will be available regarding this stage closer to the time.

Step 6: Assessment by the Higher Education Provider

Once all of the above has been completed, the Higher Education provider who will be offering the Degree will need to meet with all candidates to discuss the educational requirements moving forward.

Step 7: Pre-employment Checks

If you pass all of the above, you will be put forward for the following 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 are not appointed, all copies and records will be destroyed. If you refuse to give a sample we will not be able to proceed with your application.

Medical and eyesight checks

We will ask to you complete a medical questionnaire and attend a health assessment by our occupational health team.

Security vetting and financial checks

All candidates will be subject to our vetting procedures and financial checks.

Drug test

We also require you to undertake drug screening; this will take the form of a hair sample.

Fitness test

You will be asked to run to and fro along a 15 metre distance in time with a series of bleeps (known as 'The Bleep Test') and achieve level 5.4. The timing between bleeps is slow at first but the bleep becomes faster as the test progresses.

Step 8: 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.