South Wales Police encourage people from all backgrounds to join the organisation.

Below are some guidelines for new applicants:

Age
You must be at least 18 years old to become a police officer. There is no upper age limit, but bear in mind that the compulsory retirement age for police constables and sergeants is 60.

Probation
All newly-recruited police officers must undertake a two-year probationary period.

Nationality
You must be a British Citizen, citizen from the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom. In accordance with Home Office guidance and the Association of Chief Police Officers’ National Vetting Policy, candidates are reminded that they must have been continually resident in the UK for the three year period immediately before an application is made. This is to satisfy the requirement to vet all applicants in an equitable manner and the UK Police service does not currently have any means of facilitating vetting checks overseas, to the extent required of those who have been resident in the UK. Applicants who cannot be vetted, cannot be appointed.

Education
No formal education is necessary, but you will be required to pass an assessment centre which includes written tests and ability tests.

Physical Fitness
You must be physically fit in order to effectively complete the duties required of a police officer. All applicants must pass a basic fitness test before appointment.

Health
Applicants must be in good health mentally and physically to deal with the pressures and demands of police work.
Successful applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment or who are placed into a pool of successful candidates to whom we intend to make a conditional offer when a position arises will then be asked prior to appointment to fill in a medical questionnaire and undertake a medical examination which will also include an eyesight test. Failure to meet the medical and eyesight standards will mean you cannot be appointed. If you have a disability, we will make adjustments where it is reasonable to do so.

Height Restrictions
There are no minimum or maximum height requirements.

Tattoos
Tatoos which are particularly prominent, garish, offensive or undermine the dignity and authority of your role are unacceptable. This guideline also applies to facial piercings. Please refer to the National Policing Improvement Agency Circular (123) for guidance.

Financial Status
All applicants will have their financial status checked. These checks are carried out because police officers have access to privileged information, which may make them vulnerable to corruption. Any applicants with outstanding County Court Judgements, who have been registered bankrupt with outstanding debts, will be rejected. If you have discharged bankruptcy debts then you will need to provide a Certificate of Satisfaction with your application. Applicants who are the subject of a current Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) will not be considered.

Criminal Record
You may still be eligible to join the police service if you have minor convictions/cautions, but there are certain offences and conditions that will make you ineligible. This includes anyone who has received a formal caution in the last five years, committed a violent crime or public order offence. Please refer to the National Policing Improvement Agency Circular (123) for guidance.

Previous applications
You can only apply to one police constabulary at any one time. If you have previously applied to join the police service and been unsuccessful, you must wait six months from the date of your initial letter of rejection before you can apply again.

Membership of the BNP or a similar organisation
South Wales Police has a policy of prohibiting any of our officers or staff from becoming members of the BNP, or a similar organisation whose aims, objectives or pronouncements may contradict the duty to promote race equality. If you are, or have previously been a member of the BNP or a similar organisation, the application will result in rejection.