Please click here to find out more about a policing career in Jersey and our latest vacancies.
Trainee Police Officer recruitment:
The States of Jersey Police recruitment for Trainee Police Officers for 2026 is open from 30 April 2026 - 2 June 2026. Find out more about our recruitment process and our recruitment open days below:
You can download our Police Officer Recruitment Pack which provides a quick and helpful guide to becoming a police officer in Jersey. Please note that the on-island Student Training Programme is now a 20-week training period.
Please click here to apply.
Join our recruitment events:
To understand more about being a Police Officer, what the role entails and career opportunities with the States of Jersey Police, we are hosting two identical open events at Police Headquarters, La Route du Fort, St Helier, JE2 4HQ:
- Wednesday 13th May 2026 from 6pm to 8pm
- Saturday 16th May 2026 from 9am to 11am.
If you are interested, please add your details and select your preferred date here: Recruitment Open Day 2026 – Fill in form
If you require any further information, please contact recruitment@jersey.police.je for more details.
Thank you for your interest.
Police Constable recruitment FAQs:
1) About the role
Q: What does a Police Constable in Jersey actually do?
A: Police Constables provide front-line policing—preventing and detecting crime, protecting vulnerable people, responding to incidents, investigating offences, and working with the community to build trust and confidence. The role involves making professional decisions using evidence, ethics, and legal powers.
Q: What makes policing in Jersey different?
A: Policing in Jersey is island-wide and varied. As a Crown Dependency with its own legislation, SoJP officers can experience a broad range of policing responsibilities and opportunities to develop specialist skills.
Q: Is this recruitment for “student officers” or “trainee police officers”?
A: Recruitment is for people joining as new police officers who will complete initial training of 20 weeks (based in Jersey) and then progress through a structured probationary period (probation total length 2 years).
2) Eligibility
Q: What are the entry requirements?
A: Entry requirements will be set out in the job advert and in the official Police Officer Recruitment Pack (which includes “Entry requirements” and “Key skills and requirements”). You must be over 18.5 years of age and be a resident for at least five years.
Q: Do I need specific qualifications?
A: We no longer have academic qualification requirements, though candidates will be assessed for written skills during the process.
Q: Do I need to be able to work shifts?
A: Yes. Policing is a 24/7 service and applicants should expect shift work. You have to be in a position to be able to work a 24-hour rotating shift pattern (including nights, weekends and public holidays).
Q: I’ve lived abroad, can I still apply?
A: Possibly. Vetting and pre-employment checks consider residency history. If you’ve lived abroad, contact the recruitment team early so they can advise based on your circumstances. You do have to be resident in the island for a minimum of five years to be able to apply.
Q: Can I apply if I have a criminal record / previous caution?
A: This depends on the nature and circumstances. Recruitment screening materials ask applicants to declare convictions/cautions and relevant Parish Hall Enquiries. Being open and honest early is important. It is assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering the type of offence, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation, although some offences may make an applicant ineligible.
3) The selection process
Q: What does the recruitment process involve?
A: The process includes an initial application, fitness testing, written tests, and an extended interview/assessment day. Further details will be provided at the open events prior to the closure of the application process.
Q: Will there be an exam or written test?
A: Yes. Written testing is part of recruitment (and written assessments as part of training). They look to focus on written English, accuracy, and reasoning. The specifics are outlined during the open events, prior to the application closing.
Q: Will there be an interview?
A: Yes. There is an interview as part of the extended assessment day.
Q: What checks happen before an offer is confirmed?
A: Successful candidates progress through clearances including vetting and pre-employment checks (details are described in the Recruitment Pack and campaign processes).
4) Fitness, swim, medical
Q: What fitness standard do I need to meet?
A: SoJP’s Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT) standard is based on the multi-stage shuttle run (bleep test). The minimum required standard for a police officer is level 5.4 on the 15m shuttle run.
Q: Do I need to be able to swim?
A: Yes, as part of the recruitment process an applicant must demonstrate that they can swim 50 metres unaided (in a swimming pool).
Q: What if I’m not at the fitness level yet—should I still apply?
A: Many applicants train up in advance. If recruitment is live, you can apply and start preparing immediately, but you must be able to meet the required standard at the testing stage.
Q: What about medical/health checks?
A: Police roles require medical/occupational health clearance. Screening materials ask applicants to disclose medical/health issues that may affect employment. Screening is undertaken by occupational health professionals towards the end of the application process.
Q: Can reasonable adjustments be made for disability?
A: Yes. Reasonable adjustments can be considered for applicants with a disability; however, applicants must still meet the essential role requirements, including the swim test, 5.4 shuttle run, and initial recruitment assessments. Candidates should raise this early with recruitment so appropriate support can be considered.
5) Vetting, integrity and standards
Q: How important is integrity in the application process?
A: It’s essential. Assessment briefings emphasise integrity and consequences for dishonesty in recruitment stages.
Q: What kinds of background areas are considered in vetting?
A: Vetting considers factors such as criminal history and honesty. Screening questions have also included financial integrity prompts (e.g., credit issues) and disclosure of relevant history, so it’s best to be open and discuss any concerns early.
Q: Are student officers held to the Code of Ethics?
A: Yes. Training materials and recruitment pack content emphasise professional standards and ethical policing principles from the outset. These form the core of policing and everything that we do, this is why our recruitment focusses heavily on ethics.
6) Training, probation and “what happens after I’m hired?”
Q: What happens after I’m successful—what training will I do?
A: New officers complete initial training, this is all now ‘on island’ , then development through a structured two-year probationary period. We deliver a 20-week local training programme, beginning with officers being sworn in at the Royal Court.
Q: What support do new officers get after training?
A: The pathway includes supervised development (e.g., tutor/tutorship phases) and structured assessment and support as officers progress.
Q: Will I be “sworn in” before I start? Can my family attend?
A: There is a swearing-in ceremony at the Royal Court that may be attended by family and friends. The swearing-in ceremony is in the early stage of your student officer training.
7) Pay, benefits, pensions
Q: How much does the role pay?
A: Pay is set out in the job advert, and the Recruitment Pack includes a section on the police constable pay scale. Because pay scales can change, applicants should always refer to the current advert/pack for the up-to-date figures. Police Pay scales can be found on Gov.je, under ‘Public sector pay scales’.
Q: As a police officer will I receive a pension?
A: All Jersey police officers receive a pension, the Public Employees’ Pension Scheme (PEPS).
8) Lifestyle and practicalities
Q: Will I be issued uniform and kit?
A: Yes— Student officers are issued uniform prior to training and are expected to maintain standards of appearance and comply with clothing policy.
Q: What personal qualities are you looking for?
A: Professionalism, fairness, respect, accountability, and ethical policing principles. Further details on our expectations can be found by researching the Police Code of Ethics and the Competency and Values Framework.
Q: I’m worried about social media history—will it matter?
A: Social media may be reviewed during vetting, with consideration given to the content, context, and how recent it is. Openness and honesty are essential, and evidence of maturity and positive behaviour is taken into account.
Q: How can I prepare before recruitment opens?
A: Focus on (1) understanding the role and standards (use the Recruitment Pack), and (2) getting fitness-ready for JRFT and swim requirements. (3) Speak to any Jersey Police Officer!
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