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Eligibility

Entry requirements

Age

18 or over (no upper age limit)

Driving licence

You must hold a full UK manual car driving license with no more than six 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 NI, please provide a copy of your paper counterparts license.

These need to be submitted with your application form.

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.

Residency

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

For postings to sites where developed vetting (DV) is required, you must have resided 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 six 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.

Nationality

You must be a sole British National and hold a British passport. Dual nationality is not accepted

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're unsure whether you meet our criteria please contact MDP-RecruitmentEnquiries@mod.gov.uk

Tattoos and piercings

We apply a tattoo and piercings policy as part of the recruitment process all tattoos are assessed individually.

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

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 any other body art or considering doing so as this may affect your suitability.

If you think you may not be eligible to apply to join us because of your tattoos or piercings contact MDP-RecruitmentEnquiries@mod.gov.uk for advice.

Financial status

You must not be registered bankrupt with outstanding debts.

You must also not have outstanding county court judgments against you.

IVAs/debt management plans are considered with evidence.

This criterion applies for equivalencies in Scotland too.

Physical Fitness

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

Medical

You will be required to complete a medical assessment.

Membership of prohibited organisations

Membership of BNP, Combat 18, National Front or similar groups not permitted.

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.

College of Policing online assessments

College of Policing online assessments will be accepted if: 

  • you have passed within last 12 months, 

  • and written evidence provided. 

Non-College of Policing assessments are not recognised. 

Specific entry requirements for new entrants from other police forces

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 two years’ service, 

  • if under four years of service, you must provide proof of initial training,  

  • and have served with a UK Home Department police force BTP, CNC, Ports, PSNI or Police Scotland.  

Former officers 

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

  • left no more than three years ago, 

  • or if more than three years – you must apply as a new recruit regardless of previous length of service. 

Specialist Skills

AFO qualification is not required as full training provided. Specialist skills welcomed (firearms instruction, marine, dog handling). There are internal specialisation opportunities available after AFO training.

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. 

Medical standards for MDP Authorised Firearms Officers

Upon receiving confirmation that you have been successful at the MDP competency interview, you will be invited to attend a pre-employment medical. .

Pre-employment medical requirements

  • Medical assessment (including drug and alcohol test). 

  • Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT). 

  • Required forms (must be completed before medical appointment): 

    • Medical History Questionnaire (Applicant to complete section 1 and arrange for section 2 to be completed, signed and stamped by GP). 

    • Opticians' Form (to be completed, signed and stamped by optician). 

    • Audio Form (completed by applicant – last page to be completed by MOD OHSP Practitioners at medical). 

  • Required forms (completed at medical appointment): 

    • Health surveillance respiratory questionnaire. 

    • Fitness to use breath apparatus screening questionnaire. 

Additional medical assessment tests

  • Audiometry (hearing), 

  • Vision, 

  • Blood pressure and pulse, 

  • Urinalysis, 

  • Lung function, 

  • Height and weight measurements, 

  • Body Mass Index (BMI) assessment. 

Essential standards

Hearing 

  • Must meet Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO) standard unaided. 

  • Maximum permitted hearing loss: 84dB over 0.5, 1, 2 KHz frequencies. 

Annual hearing tests for all Firearms Officers are required throughout career. 

Vision 

  • Binocular vision: 6/7.5 (aided or unaided). 

  • Worst eye: 6/12 or better (aided or unaided). 

  • Unaided binocular vision: 6/36 or better (when successful correct has been achieved using soft contact lenses, the unaided standard need not apply). 

  • Near vision: N8 (corrected and uncorrected). 

  • Visual field: Minimum 120° horizontal by 100° vertical. 

  • Laser surgery: Must wait 6 weeks post-surgery with no side effects. 

  • Colour vision: Must pass specified tests (Ishihara and additional testing if required). 

Physical requirements 

  • BMI: Between 19 and 30 

  • Waist circumference:  

    • Men: <40 inches 

    • Women: <35 inches 

  • Alternative measurements accepted: 

    • Men: Waist-to-hip ratio <0.95 or body fat ≤21% 

    • Women: Waist-to-hip ratio <0.80 or body fat ≤30% 

  • Blood pressure: Must be below 140/90 mmHG 

Other medical conditions

  • Asthma: Individual assessment required. May be accepted with controlled medication. 

  • Type 1 Diabetes: Unlikely to be suitable, but will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

  • Type 2 Diabetes: Individual assessment required. 

  • Epilepsy: Unlikely to be suitable if episodes occurred after age 5. 

  • Mental health conditions (including stress, anxiety or depression): Individual assessment required.