May 09, 2025 | Human Resources , Officer and Staff: Recruitment and Promotion
Request Number: FOI/14545
Category: Human Resources - Recruitment
Subject: Recruitment age
Request and Answer:
Request
It states on the PSNI recruitment website that
"Age: You can apply from the age of 17. However, on appointment, you must have reached the age of 18 years. Applicants must have attained the age of 17 years and be no more than 57 years by the end of the application window."
I would like some clarity surrounding this. If an applicant applies at 17 and did their training would they not have finished this before 18?
Or can they apply and if accepted, not begin their training until they are around 17.5 and after their training they would be 18 or should applicants only apply if they are closer to 18.
Answer
Candidates who have reached the age of 17 by the closing date of the campaign are welcome to apply and progress through the various stages of the recruitment process (initial selection test, assessment centre, vetting, physical competence assessment, health assessment, substance misuse test and online learning). However, an offer of appointment to commence training as a Student Officer cannot be progressed until the candidate has successfully completed all stages of the recruitment process, and has reached the age of 18.
If a candidate successfully completes all the recruitment stages prior to reaching their 18th birthday we will keep their application open until we are in
a position to progress their offer of appointment.