How to become a police community support officer
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
Apprenticeship
You can get into this role through a higher apprenticeship as a police community support officer.
Entry requirements
To do this apprenticeship, you'll need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
More Information
Volunteering
You'll need good communication skills, and experience of working with the public in community settings will be useful.
It may be helpful if you have experience of community work or you've volunteered as a special constable.
Police UK has more details on how you can get involved.
Direct Application
You can apply to become a police community support officer and often don't need formal qualifications. Employers will be more interested in your personal qualities and character.
You'll need a good level of spoken and written English, so some police forces may ask for English GCSE at grade 4 (C).
Each police force has its own selection process. This will usually involve:
- written tests
- an interview
- an interactive test to see how you work with other people
More Information
Career tips
Great value is placed on personal qualities and character, especially:
- the ability to remain calm under pressure
- tolerance and empathy combined with firmness
Further information
You can find out more about the role of police community support officer from the College of Policing.