Training and probation
Student Training
All police trainees undertake a rigorous training programme to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills to perform the challenging role of Beat and Patrol Constable. During the first four weeks all students live in the Police College at Garnerville.
The first stage of training involves learning about key areas of policing including human rights, ethics, police and community relationships, principles of policing, evidence, the criminal justice system, interviewing, files and first aid.
The second stage builds on the first and includes practical training covering areas such as crime, traffic, vulnerable persons, files and general police duties.
The programme is very intensive and requires a high level of commitment, dedication and discipline.
Physical Competence Assessment
The role of a police officer is both physically and mentally challenging, requiring a level of physical competence that ensures duties are carried out effectively and safely, without undue stress or risk of injury.
Mainstream policing activities that place a high demand on physical fitness are generally infrequent, but when required they are often critical to success. The failure of a police officer to perform a given duty because of a lack of physical competence could have serious, even fatal consequences for the officer, his or her colleagues, and the public.
While an assessment of physical fitness is not a condition for entry into the Police Service at present, all applicants who have a body mass index (BMI) over 30 will be offered the opportunity to carry out the Police Service Physical Competence Assessment. They will be required to pass both elements of this test and this result in conjunction with their BMI will be used by the Chief Medical Adviser in the decision making process.
All Student Officers must pass the Police Service Physical Competence Assessment in order to graduate from the Police College. To assist students meet the requirements of the job a physical training programme is delivered by Police Service Physical Training Instructors. Fitness is measured using the Police Service Physical Competence Assessment (PCA). The pass marks for the PCA are 26kgf for the Push / Pull Machines and 3 minutes 43 seconds for the circuit element.
To understand what this entails, we have provided a short video for you to view. Please note this video requires Windows Media Player version 9 or above.
Watch the Physical Competence Assessment video clip
(5.88Mb WMV requires windows media player version 9 or above)
More information is also available in our Physical Competence Assessment Training Programme (PDF, 62.5 KB)
Probation
Probationary training lasts two years and takes place mostly as part of your daily routine. You will be based in an operational station, combined with periods spent in the training college.
Throughout this period you will receive driver, public order and firearms training. You will also spend 10 weeks on patrol with a Tutor Constable who will help you learn from a range of operational experiences.
The probationary period will help you to bridge the gap between training and operational duty. You will be continually assessed throughout in written, practical and physical exercises including the Physical Competence Assessment. After successfully completing your probationary period, you can consider applying for promotion or to train in a specialist department.
