Pre-Join Degree

As a police officer, every day will be different. It is one of the most fulfilling, challenging and varied roles you could do.

In your shift you could be carrying out a search warrant, arresting a drug dealer or being a reassuring face to a victim of abuse. Your next shift you could be patrolling a public event, interviewing a suspect in custody or collecting vital evidence. No one will know what each shift will bring, but we do know you won’t get bored.

Policing is not purely about enforcement, your communication skills and ability to build relationships with the public will be key. You will need to be caring and compassionate, dealing with victims of crime, witnesses and vulnerable members of our community. In a fast paced environment, you will need to be prepared for the unexpected and always be calm under pressure, making critical split second decisions.

There are many opportunities to progress through the ranks and/or specialise in an area of policing that interests you. You can become a detective or join the Tactical Firearms Unit; be part of the Roads Policing Unit or one of our Public Protection teams, just to name a few.

Wherever you decide to take your career, we will support you and help you develop to be the best officer you can be. Your development starts from day one and our new entry routes and training programme will give you all the skills and knowledge you need to be an effective police officer.

At Surrey Police, size is our advantage. As a smaller force we have a real family feel where it is easier to network, and we will support you in being the best you can be.  With close proximity and easy transport links to London, the coast and beyond, Surrey offers lively towns and stunning countryside. Policing in Surrey is varied and never boring.                                                                                                                    

Variety. Challenge. Opportunity. You’ll find everything you’re looking for and more in Surrey.

We can offer you:

• A starting salary of at least £27,280 (including South East Allowance of £2,500) depending on your chosen entry route, with the potential to rise to £42,628 within the first seven years.
• 22 days per year annual leave, rising to 30 days a year depending on your length of service.
• Progressive approach to flexible working, enhanced maternity and paternity leave and potential for a career break (after two years’ service).
• Opportunity to join various support networks, staff associations and sports clubs.
• A competitive benefits package including pension, flexible benefits, employee assistance programme for advice and counselling, access to discounts / savings / cash-back rewards.
• Career development opportunities including the chance to specialise or to progress through the ranks.
• Free bus travel across Surrey.
• A fuel card worth £110 per month, or up to £1200 per year for a rail season ticket, when you have two or more years’ service.

This is just a selection of our benefits, now find out more.

To be considered for entry to the Pre-Join Degree Programme, applicants must provide certificates, or proof of study if in final year of the following qualifications:

• UK Undergraduate degree in Professional Policing (360 credits), achieved within 5 years of application.

You will need to provide copies of your qualifications when you apply. 

Additionally, to apply as a Police Officer you must:

• Be aged 17 or over (on the day you submit your application). You will need to be 18 years or over by your first day
• Have been a UK resident for the past three years
• Be a British or Commonwealth citizen, or an EC/European Economic Area national, or a foreign national whose stay in the UK is unrestricted
• Have a full UK manual driving licence (by the time of appointment)
• Not have six penalty points or more on your driving licence
• Be prepared to work shifts including nights, weekends and bank holidays
• Not have tattoos which could cause offence
• Not be registered bankrupt (or have bankruptcy debts that have been discharged within the past three years)
• Be able to pass a job-related fitness test
• Be able to pass a medical screening and meet the minimum eyesight standards
• Not be a current or previous member of a proscribed terrorist organisation or group

The application process consists of several stages and it’s important to note that because of this, the average time from application to appointment is between 8–10 months.

Surrey Police has introduced a new online assessment process during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our national recruitment standards are maintained, and in the coming months this will continually be reviewed. During the current climate the following stages apply:

Stage One: Application form

Your personal details will be checked and that all eligibility criteria has been met.

Stage Two: Behavioural Style Questionnaire (BSQ)

A multiple-choice assessment, which will assess whether you have the right behavioural traits to work as a Police Constable.

Stage Three: Virtual Assessment Centre.

• Online video competency-based interview – This interview will be based upon the competency and values framework
• Briefing exercise – You will be presented with a short brief and have to prepare your responses to key questions.
• Written exercise – You will be provided with information and will be asked to provide written responses.

Stage Four: Online force interview

Interview conducted by a panel of Surrey Police representatives. This interview will be based upon the competency and values framework. 

Stage Five: Pre-employment checks

This is when we begin our pre-employment checks which consist of a medical, vetting, biometric vetting and a fitness test.

• Fitness Test – you will need to obtain level 5.4 in a 15 metre shuttle run. Whilst we do not expect candidates to be professional runners, you will be required to have a reasonable level of fitness and be able to run at a steady pace for around 4 minutes.
• Medical – you will be required to complete a questionnaire with your medical history.
• Biometric Vetting – we will take your fingerprints, DNA, and check them against the appropriate database. We will also collect a sample of hair to test for the presence of inappropriate substances.
• Vetting - this will assess you and your families’ criminal record, financial status and business interests.

If you have passed the National Assessment Centre (SEARCH or Day One) in the past 24 months, you may be able to transfer your score to Surrey Police.

We can accept scores of 50% and higher for SEARCH, and 55% or higher for Day One. Scores are valid for 24 months from the date of your assessment centre.

To transfer your score please send a copy of your assessment report to [email protected]. You can request your assessment report from the force at which it was undertaken.

Our ability to build trust, understand problems and support our communities across a range of policing matters, relies on us having a workforce that is reflective of our communities and all the unique individuals that exist within them. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity within our workforce and to eliminating discrimination.

We are very keen to encourage applications from those that have never considered policing as a career. Representation within our workforce from black and minority ethnic communities is currently much lower than we want it to be; by improving this we will be better able to serve our local communities and our work place will benefit from all the differences in thinking, points of view, and approaches that diversity brings.

We are actively working on a range of activities to improve this and one of the proactive ways we are seeking to increase representation is via a bespoke mentoring scheme which is aimed at guiding applicants from diverse communities through the recruitment process.

For more information email [email protected]

Visit our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion page for more details about our organisational culture and our commitment to creating an inclusive workforce.