4. The application process

At this stage, we’ll ask you to provide some basic personal details, such as your full name, home address, and National Insurance number.

As part of the process to become a PCSO, you’ll be invited to complete the national sift.

The national sift has been designed to allow you to demonstrate your suitability for entry to the next stage of the recruitment process. The national sift consists of two exercises: 

• the situational judgement test (SJT)
• a behavioural styles questionnaire (BSQ) 

These exercises are used to assess capabilities, strengths and behaviours that are important within the role you have applied for. 

Situational judgement test

You will be presented with a number of different situations that you might face as a PCSO, with a choice of different actions that might be taken. You will be asked to identify which action will result in an effective or counterproductive outcome.

Behavioural styles questionnaire

This questionnaire invites you to review a number of statements and indicate which statement you completely agree with or completely disagree with on a sliding scale.

The competency and values framework (CVF) sets out the behaviours expected in policing. For the national sift, the competencies review criteria is set at level 1. 

No prior policing knowledge is required to complete the national sift exercises.

Once registered, you have seven days to complete this step.

The results will be received instantly. You will be provided with a feedback report. If you are successful, you will then be invited to complete an application form.

For more information and support, please review the candidate guidance: National sift candidate guidance | College of Policing

If you’re successful at the National Sift stage, you’ll be invited to attend an interview.

This will be a structured interview with a panel made up of police officers and police staff. It’s an opportunity for you to tell us more about your skills and experience, and how these match the role.

The questions will be based on the essential criteria outlined in the job description, so you’ll know what to expect and how to prepare.

Biometric vetting

This consists of fingerprints and a DNA sample. These samples will likely be taken when you attend for your Force Interview.

Drug testing

You will also need to complete a Drug Test as part of the pre-employment checks for the role. This will consist of a hair sample.

As part of the recruitment process, you’ll be invited to attend a medical assessment with our Occupational Health Support Unit. This is simply to make sure you’re comfortable, safe, and well-prepared for the role.

During the assessment, we’ll carry out a few routine checks, including:

• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Eyesight and colour vision (please see the appendices for more details)
• Lung function
• Hearing

You’ll also be asked to complete a confidential medical questionnaire to help us better understand your health. We may need to contact your GP or a specialist for further information—but this would always be done with care, respect, and in strict confidence.

Vetting

The vetting process is entirely confidential and the outcomes (other than pass/fail) are not shared with anyone else in the organisation (including trainers, future line managers or fellow trainees) or anyone outside of the organisation (including family).

We will carry out security checks on you and your:

• Spouse/Partner
• Father
• Step father/mother’s partner
• Mother
• Stepmother/father’s partner
• Brothers/sisters (full/half/step)
• Children/children of your partner (only those age 10 years and over)
• Any other adult living at your address
• Financial circumstances – applicants will have their financial status checked

Financial checks

Applicants with outstanding County Court Judgements (CCJs), Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVAs) or 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. At least three years will need to have passed since the date of discharge.

Cautions and criminal convictions

Applicants with cautions/convictions/reprimands, other than some motoring offences, may not be accepted.

References

We send reference requests to all your previous employers in the last 5 years. If you haven’t been employed for 5 years, we will ask for an educational reference if applicable or a character reference.

If you’re successful in progressing through each stage of the process, we’ll be delighted to make you a formal offer to join us as a PCSO. You’ll then be provided with a confirmed start date and all the information you need to begin your journey with us.

We’ll support you every step of the way, so you feel prepared, confident, and ready to get started in your new role. We’ll keep in touch with you via email, so please do check your inbox regularly for updates.

If you have any questions about the process or need a bit of support along the way, we’re here to help—please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team.