CV for a Police Officer Application (UK): PCDA Competencies, Values and Evidence

Applying to become a Police Constable in the UK involves a structured, multi-stage selection process. While the application form and personal statements are the primary vehicles, a well-structured CV can be required or useful when applying to specific forces, direct-entry detective programmes, the Police Now scheme, or specialist support roles.

Understanding the assessment framework before you write a single word is the most important preparation step.

The Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF)

Since 2020, new police recruits in England and Wales join via one of three PEQF routes:

PCDA (Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship): Earn a degree while serving as a student officer. Typically 3 years.

DHEP (Degree Holder Entry Programme): For applicants with any undergraduate degree. Typically 2 years with an Accelerated programme.

Pre-Join Degree (Police Constable Pre-Join): Complete a degree before joining — some forces require this. Not available in all forces.

Identify which route applies to your application and tailor accordingly.

The competency framework and values

All UK police recruitment is assessed against the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework (CVF). The six competencies are:

1. Emotionally aware — self-awareness, empathy, managing emotions under pressure
2. Courageous and inclusive — challenges inappropriate behaviour, inclusive of diverse perspectives
3. Innovative and open to change — adapts, develops, embraces new approaches
4. Takes ownership — accountable, sees things through, proactive
5. Collaborative — builds relationships, works across boundaries
6. Delivers, supports and inspires — results-focused, coaches others, professional standards

The four core values underpin all competencies:

• Integrity
• Impartiality
• Public service
• Transparency

Your personal statement, application form, and interview answers must draw on these competencies and values explicitly.

Personal statement example (PCDA application)

"I am applying to join [Force] as a Police Constable because of a genuine and long-held commitment to public service and community safety. I have spent three years volunteering as a Special Constable with [Force], accumulating over 400 hours of operational experience including neighbourhood policing, public order support, and response duty. During this time I developed the emotional resilience, situational judgment, and professional ethics that I believe are foundational to effective policing. I am seeking to translate this commitment into a full-time career as a warranted officer through the PCDA route."

STAR format: evidencing competencies

Almost every competency question in a police application or interview requires a STAR response (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare a bank of 8-10 strong examples from your life experience that you can adapt:

Emotional awareness:

Situation: Working in a busy A&E as a healthcare support worker and encountering a patient in acute distress.

Task: Provide immediate support while maintaining clinical workflow.

Action: Sat with the patient, used calm and direct communication, alerted the nurse in charge, and stayed until the mental health team arrived.

Result: Patient de-escalated; shift supervisor cited my handling as an example of good practice at the debrief.

Takes ownership:

Situation: As a team leader, discovering a significant error in a colleague's work that would affect a client.

Task: Correct the error before it reached the client without undermining the colleague.

Action: Reviewed and corrected the work personally, briefed my manager proactively, and ran a learning session with the team on the process gap that caused it.

Result: Error resolved before client impact; process improvement implemented and maintained.

Background checks and vetting

Police applicants undergo thorough vetting (at least Management Vetting level):

• National Police Computer (PNC) check
• Credit and financial checks
• Social media review
• References from employers and personal contacts
• Disclosure of any criminal convictions, cautions, or reprimands (including spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, as policing is an exempt profession)

Be fully transparent in your application. Undisclosed information discovered during vetting is far more damaging than disclosed information.

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply to the police with a criminal record?

It depends on the nature and recency of the offence. Many minor or spent offences do not automatically disqualify an applicant. Serious offences — particularly violence, dishonesty, or drug supply — are likely to result in rejection. Check the specific force's vetting policy and be transparent in your application.

Is the Police Now scheme different from applying directly to a force?

Yes — Police Now is an independent graduate entry scheme that places officers into neighbourhood policing in high-need communities. It has its own application process (online application, assessment day) and focuses specifically on graduates who want to make a community impact. Officers are employed by the force but supported by Police Now.

What fitness test will I need to pass?

The Job Related Fitness Test (JRFT) requires a 5.4 bleep test (multi-stage shuttle run) for all new recruits. Most forces also assess grip strength dynamometer. Begin training well in advance — the bleep test is deceptively demanding if you are not already running regularly.