Circular 005/2015: direct entry regulations
This circular clarifies the direct entry regulations and applies to police and crime commissioners OPCC chief executives, chief constables and HR directors.
Documents
Details
Statutory instruments, which will amend the Police Regulations 2003 and the Police (Promotion) Regulations 1996, and introduce the appointment of Chief Officers of Police (Overseas Police Forces) Regulations 2014 to enable (i) fast track to inspector; (ii) direct entry at superintendent; and (iii) appointment of chief constables from overseas police forces.
The instruments amend the Police Regulations 2003 and the Police (Promotion) Regulations 1996 to permit individuals to join the police force at the rank of superintendent as part of the direct entry (superintendent) programme and to permit those taking part in the fast track programme to be promoted more quickly from the rank of constable to inspector.
The amendments to regulations came into force on 1 October 2014 and ensure that that those participating in the programmes will:
- pass the assessment centre approved by the College of Policing to start the programmes;
- be subject to a probationary period as determined by the Secretary of State;
- be subject to dismissal in the probationary period if he or she is not fitted, physically or mentally, to perform the duties of his office, or that he or she is not likely to become an efficient or well conducted constable;
- be able, in the case of those on fast track programme, to take the part I of the inspectors’ promotion exam during his or her probation, to take part IIB (a 12 month period of work-based assessment) if he or she has passed part I and be qualified to be promoted to sergeant if they have passed the qualifying assessment for sergeant.
Determinations in relation to changes to the eyesight requirements for superintendents (removal of the uncorrected vision standard), and probation periods (until promoted to sergeant for fast trackers when the standard sergeant one year probation will come into effect). These determinations are attached.
The Appointment of Chief Officers of Police (Overseas Police Forces) Regulations 2014 implement the list of the College of Policing’s recommendations on the overseas police forces and ranks that would be eligible to be considered for chief constable posts in England and Wales. The list is based on research carried out by the College to identify those forces that operate in a common-law jurisdiction and practice policing by consent.
Only those who have experience of serving in a senior rank that is the equivalent to chief officer ranks in England and Wales in forces of 750 or more sworn personnel will be eligible to apply.
In addition to their experience in those ranks, candidates should also have a record of exceptional achievement. Those who are appointed will need to meet all immigration and vetting requirements.
More guidance on the direct entry schemes is available from the College of Policing.