Guidance

Ministry of Defence Police: entry requirements

Updated 23 December 2024

1. Age

18 or over (no upper age limit)

2. Driving licence

You must hold a full UK manual car driving license with no more than 6 penalty points at the time of your application.

You will be required to provide a copy of your photo card license with any application, which should be in date and reflect your current home address as this is a legal requirement.

For applicant’s from Northern Ireland, please provide a copy of your paper counterparts license. These need to be submitted with your application form.

3. Qualifications

If you are joining as a new recruit, you must have at least a Level 2 qualification in English and Maths.

Copies of relevant qualifications certificates must be enclosed with the application form.

4. Residency

To meet national security vetting requirements, you must have lived continuously in the UK for a minimum 5-year period immediately prior to your application to join MDP (with any absence from the UK being no more than 6 months during that time).

For postings to sites where developed vetting (DV) is required, you must have lived continuously in the UK for a minimum 10-year period immediately prior to your application to join MDP (with any absence from the UK being no more than 6 months during that time).

British Armed Forces or UK Government service abroad is considered as UK residency.

This criterion is not flexible and is strictly applied.

5. Nationality

You must be a sole British National and hold a British passport.

Dual nationality is not accepted.

6. Criminal record

You should not have a criminal record – this includes convictions, cautions, penalty notices and court orders.

You must disclose all adult and juvenile convictions and cautions regardless of the level of seriousness or how long ago they occurred. You must also disclose any criminal offences dealt with ‘out of court’ (including penalty notices).

If you are unsure whether you meet our criteria please contact [email protected].

7. Tattoos and piercings

We apply a tattoo and piercings policy as part of the recruitment process.

Tattoos should be non-offensive. Tattoos on the head, throat or neck, or the ear/jawline, and any on the face that are non-medical or not because of cosmetic surgery are not accepted. All tattoos are assessed individually.

You will be required to provide photographs of all non-intimate tattoos.

Facial piercings are not permitted.

Flesh tunnels or ear plugs that leave a hole greater than 4 millimetres, once removed, are not allowed.

You must let the recruitment team know if you acquire any further tattoos, piercings or body art, or are considering doing so.

If you think you may not be eligible to apply to join us because of your tattoos or piercings, contact [email protected] for advice.

8. Financial status

You must not be registered bankrupt with outstanding debts.

You must not have outstanding county court judgements against you.

IVAs/debt management plans are considered with evidence.

This criterion applies for equivalencies in Scotland.

9. Physical fitness

All new recruits will be required to pass a job-related fitness. This will be the MDP physical employment standard job-related fitness test (PES-JRFT).

10. Medical

You will be required to complete a medical assessment.

11. Membership of prohibited organisations

Membership prohibited organisations is not permitted.

12. Applications with other forces

Those with previous unsuccessful applications to other forces are able to apply.

Concurrent applications with other forces are allowed but we do request you keep our recruitment team informed of any changes.

13. College of Policing online assessments

College of Policing online assessments will be accepted if:

• you have passed within last 12 months, and;
• written evidence is provided

MDP suitability interview are still required.

Non-College of Policing assessments are not recognised.

14. Specific entry requirements for new entrants from other police forces

14.1 Policing status

New entrants from other forces

To join us as a new entrant from another police force, you must have:

• completed your probation period
• a minimum of 2 years’ service
• if you have under 4 years of service, you must provide proof of initial training
• must have served with a UK Home Department police force BTP, CNC, Ports, PSNI or Police Scotland

14.2 Former officers

If you have left the police service, including service with the MDP, you must have:

• left no more than 3 years ago
• left more than 3 years ago, and applied as a new recruit regardless of previous length of service

15. Specialist skills

Authorised firearms officer (AFO) qualification is not required as full training provided.

Specialist skills are welcomed, e.g. firearms instruction, marine, dog handling.

There are internal specialisation opportunities available after AFO training.

16. Promotion qualifications

We honour the following recognised promotion examination qualifications:

• OSPRE Part 1 Examination pass, Police Scotland or legacy Scottish Force promotion examination pass.

Accepted qualifications will be valid for one promotion process only, either Constable to Sergeant or Sergeant to Inspector.

These are valid for 3 years from qualification date.

Other qualifications considered case by case.