The recruitment process

Please note the recruitment cycle can take some time to complete.

At the end of each stage of the recruitment and selection process you will be notified whether or not you have been successful and therefore eligible to proceed to the next stage.

Stage 1: Complete the online application form

The application process consists of three areas:

1. Eligibility criteria including confirmation of your qualifications. If you do not have a Level 3 qualification you will be required to complete a test which will test your academic ability to work at Level 3.
2. Completion of the College of Policing (CoP) National Sift. The national sift has been designed to allow you to demonstrate your suitability for entry to the next stage of the recruitment process. The national sift consists of two exercises: the situational judgement test (SJT) and a behavioural styles questionnaire (BSQ). These exercises are used to assess capabilities, strengths and behaviours that are important within the role you have applied for.  More information can be found here.
3. Application form. You will be required to input your personal details. Please ensure this is completed correctly.

Please note if you have previously passed both the Behavioural Styles Questionnaire (BSQ) and Situational Judgement Test (SJT) with Dyfed Powys Police or another Welsh force (South Wales, Gwent or North Wales), you will not be required to complete the College of Policing (CoP) National Sift process. The recruitment system should automatically bypass this part of the application process, however, if you are invited but hold a valid BSQ and SIJT pass, then please contact the recruitment team before starting the National Sift.

Tips for completing your application

• Make sure you read the requirement of each stage thoroughly as failure to pass each section will reject your application.
• If you require reasonable adjustments or positive action please ensure you check the relevant boxes on the application form.
• If you have had more than one address in the last 5 years, ensure you have all this information at hand including dates of occupancy.
• If you have received any convictions or cautions, ensure you have all this information at hand as you are required to disclose this information.
• If you have visible tattoos (face, neck, wrist, hands and forearms) take the required photos beforehand.
• If you have any financial certificates (bankruptcy, IVA etc.) have a copy of these ready to upload.
• When completing the online tests, ensure that your pop up blocker is disabled so that the test screen will open.
• If you encounter any problems or have any queries please contact [email protected] as soon as possible. Please note our office hours are Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.

Stage 2: If you are successful at the application stage you will progress to the College of Policing Online Assessment Process 

The College of Policing have developed an online assessment process that enables effective assessment of the required competencies and values that are important for Police Constables, and meets the current standards for assessing new recruits.

What is the online assessment process? 

The online assessment process consists of a three-stage approach designed for the efficient assessment and recruitment of police constables. The three stages are:

1 – Situational judgement test (SJT) 

As a Dyfed Powys Police applicant, you will NOT need to undertake this stage as you would have passed this test as part of the application process.

2 – Competency-based interview 

You will be asked a series of questions about how you have dealt with specific situations in the past. This is your opportunity to provide some examples of the key competencies and values that are important for police constables.

You can use examples from both your work and your personal life.

3 – Written assessment and briefing exercise 

This consists of two assessments. Please note that you will receive and be able to take stages 3a and 3b separately

3a – Written assessment 

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have to complete an urgent written task for your line manager. You will receive four items of information to help you with this task.

3b – Briefing exercise 

In this exercise, you will assume the role of a police constable and will have responsibility for dealing with some issues presented to you. You will be tasked with providing a response to a number of questions in relation to this issue. You will be provided with preparation materials to consider your answer.

What Technology do I need? 

You can complete the exercises on any internet-enabled device with a camera (laptop, tablet or phone), but to ensure full compatibility with the online platform, the following should be set up:

• Your operating system should be Windows 7 (or higher) or Mac OS 10.11 (or higher). 
• Your browser should be the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari. 
• You should have the latest version of Adobe Flash installed 
• A webcam and microphone to record responses.

For further information on the recruitment process, please refer to the College’s online assessment candidate FAQ or contact us directly via email: [email protected].

Stage 3: If you are successful at the College of Policing Online Assessment Centre process you will be invited to attend an interview and role-based evaluation at Dyfed Powys Police Headquarters

The role-based evaluation will consist of a team building exercise and scenario-based assessment which will assess your communication skills.

The interview process has been designed to get a more rounded picture of you as an individual. It examines how your values and those of Dyfed Powys Police might match.

By carrying out this interview we are ensuring that you are making the right career choice and thus will have every chance of being a successful Dyfed Powys police constable.

The behaviours we are looking for in this interview have been through a rigorous process of research to ensure that they are relevant to the role and are fair to everyone being interviewed. These are: 

Values

• Public Service 
• Impartiality 
• Integrity 
• Transparency

Competencies

• We are emotionally aware 
• We take ownership 
• We deliver, support & inspire 
• We are collaborative 
• We analyse critically 
• We are innovative and open-minded 

You will be provided with full details of what is expected of you at least one week prior to your interview.

Stage 4: Job Related Fitness Tests (JRFT), Biometric Assessments and Referencing (excluding current employer) 

1. You will be invited to attend Police Headquarters to complete a job related fitness test (JRFT). The JRFT will assess whether you can meet the physical challenges of policing. You should start preparing for this stage as soon as you submit your application if you are not yet physically fit.  While you don't need to be an athlete to pass the JRFT, you do need a basic level of fitness (5.4 bleep test). 
2. Biometric assessments are undertaken and these consist of DNA samples and Fingerprints which are undertaken by trained Dyfed Powys Police Officers and/or Staff and also drug testing which is undertaken by an external company whilst attending Police Headquarters. 
3. At this stage we will make contact with your previous employers for the last 3 years as well as your nominated character/educational referees. It is important that information on your application form is correct and kept up to date. We usually do not contact your current employer for a reference until you have been given occupational and vetting clearance (stage 5). Any sickness declared by a previous employer will be reviewed by Senior Management in line with Dyfed Powys Police Absence Management policy.

Stage 5: Complete security vetting clearance and attend a medical 

You will complete a form during the recruitment and selection process relating to security vetting information. Checks will be completed by our Professional Standards Department and a decision will be made on whether vetting can be granted. This can take up to 8 weeks or longer depending on individual circumstances

The medical assessment is straightforward and checks things like your eyesight, hearing, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). Conducted by a registered nurse and our Force Medical Advisor, it is in addition to the medical questionnaire you are required to complete during the recruitment process. Any costs incurred in obtaining a GP signature and practice stamp is at the candidate’s expense.

Stage 6: Complete Employer reference checks 

On successfully passing all of the above stages, we will contact your current employer for a reference.

Any sickness declared by a previous employer will be reviewed by Senior Management in line with Dyfed-Powys Police Absence Management policy.

Stage 7: Offer of start date for the role Police Constable (we will aim to give 1 months’ notice)

Once you have completed the selection and recruitment process you will be sent a letter formally offering you an appointment and start date.

At this stage, if not already living within 30 miles or 1 hour commuting distance of your posting, you will be required to confirm that you will be moving to within this required distance.

Before your first day you will be required to:

1. Enrol with our partner university
2. Complete pre-join online training packages
3. Return all requested documents to the recruitment team