Police Interview
Dress Code and What to Bring
UK 2026
A practical guide to what to wear, what to bring and how to prepare for a UK police officer recruitment interview, including in-person interviews, assessment centres and online interview stages.
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Suggested dress
smart and professional
Bring
ID and what your force asks for
Avoid
casual clothing
OAC setup
quiet room, good lighting, no notes
Final check
24 hours before interview
Quick Answer Snippet
What should you wear to a police interview?
There is no national police dress code for recruitment interviews, so follow any instructions from your force. Our advice is smart, professional clothing similar to what you would wear to a formal job interview: a suit, blazer, shirt, blouse, smart trousers, smart skirt or formal dress. We would avoid trainers, jeans, hoodies, sportswear, excessive jewellery, strong fragrances or anything that distracts from your answers. For the online assessment, the College of Policing's 2022 FAQs suggested something you deem appropriate for an assessment setting, because some responses are recorded. For the force interview, one force's published guide (Derbyshire Constabulary) suggests clothes you feel comfortable and confident in that also look professional.
For an in-person police recruitment interview, you should usually bring:
- ✓photo ID
- ✓interview invitation or confirmation email
- ✓any documents requested by the force
- ✓qualification certificates if requested
- ✓right to work documents if requested
- ✓a pen and small notepad
- ✓water
- ✓travel details
- ✓contact number for recruitment team
- ✓any accessibility or reasonable adjustment information
Before interview day
Practise the answers, not just the outfit.
Presentation helps the first impression. Your spoken examples, CVF wording and answer structure are what need the deeper preparation.
Try one out loud. Answer a practice question free and get a scored result in about a minute. No account. Answer a question free
This guide is about police recruitment interviews
This page is for candidates applying to become police officers in the UK. It explains what to wear and what to bring to a police officer recruitment interview, assessment centre or online interview stage. It does not cover suspect interviews, custody interviews, criminal investigations, witness interviews or legal advice.
Independent Recruitment Preparation Notice
PolicePay is an independent preparation resource. The clothing and packing advice on this page is our own, not official guidance. The factual points about the online assessment (notes, devices, ID photo, recording and the College clothing suggestion) come from the College of Policing candidate guide and FAQs, listed at the foot of the page. It does not replace instructions issued by your recruiting force.
PolicePay is not part of any police force, the College of Policing, the Home Office, any university partner or any recruitment provider. Recruitment processes vary by force, so always follow the specific instructions sent by your recruiting force.
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Professional first impression
Does Dress Code Matter in a Police Recruitment Interview?
We know of no published marking for clothing: the College of Policing assesses your responses against the Competency and Values Framework. Presentation is a matter of preparation rather than a scored item, and it is worth taking seriously because you are applying for a public-facing role.
Clothing alone will not pass the interview. A smart outfit cannot rescue vague examples or weak motivation. In our view, though, poor presentation can create a weak first impression before you have had a chance to explain yourself.
Smart clothing helps signal that you have treated the process seriously. It also helps many candidates feel more composed. When you are nervous, the last thing you need is to be worrying about whether your clothing looks too casual, too loud or uncomfortable.
The safest rule is simple. Follow the force-specific instructions first. If no guidance is given, dress as you would for a formal job interview in a public service setting.
Our view
Your outfit should not be the most memorable thing about your interview. Your answers should be.
- ✓ Smart clothing supports professionalism.
- ✓ Comfort helps you focus on answers.
- ✓ Force instructions always come first.
- ✓ Overly casual clothing is an unnecessary risk in our view.
Outfit guidance
What to Wear to a Police Officer Recruitment Interview
For men
- ✓ suit or smart blazer
- ✓ shirt
- ✓ tie optional but usually safe
- ✓ smart trousers
- ✓ polished shoes
- ✓ neat coat if needed
For women
- ✓ suit, blazer or smart jacket
- ✓ blouse, shirt or smart top
- ✓ smart trousers, skirt or formal dress
- ✓ closed-toe or smart shoes
- ✓ professional and comfortable outfit
Gender-neutral advice
- ✓ smart, professional and modest
- ✓ clean, ironed and well-fitting
- ✓ comfortable enough to sit and speak clearly
- ✓ avoid anything too tight, revealing, loud or distracting
- ✓ choose clothing that helps you feel composed
Candidates do not need expensive clothing. Clean, smart and professional is more important than brand or cost. A simple outfit that looks respectful and lets you focus on the interview is better than something expensive that feels uncomfortable or distracting.
Police Interview Outfit: Wear This, Avoid This
| Item | Good choice | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Top | shirt, blouse, smart top | hoodie, slogan T-shirt, sports top |
| Bottoms | smart trousers, skirt, formal dress | jeans, joggers, leggings as casual wear |
| Footwear | smart shoes, clean formal flats | trainers, sliders, worn casual shoes |
| Outerwear | smart coat or jacket | casual hoodie or tracksuit jacket |
| Accessories | simple watch, modest jewellery | distracting jewellery, large logos |
| Colours | navy, black, grey, white, muted tones | neon colours, loud patterns |
| Fragrance | light or none | strong aftershave or perfume |
Avoidable mistakes
What Not to Wear to a Police Recruitment Interview
The issue is not fashion. The issue is whether the outfit supports or undermines a professional first impression. If the panel remembers the clothing more than the answer, the clothing has become a distraction.
Documents and logistics
What to Bring to a Police Officer Interview
Only bring documents your force has asked for, and follow your own force instructions first. Some forces may handle document checks separately or online, and some may require originals on the day, so check your invitation.
Preparation matters more than packing
Have your documents ready, then rehearse the answers.
A neat folder and photo ID stop practical problems. Interview preparation stops answer problems. Candidates should check both before the day.
Police Interview Checklist: Bring This, Do Not Bring This
| Bring | Why it helps | Do not bring |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | confirms identity | expired ID |
| Invitation email | confirms time and location | relying on memory only |
| Requested documents | avoids delays | random documents not requested |
| Pen and notepad | useful for logistics (check your force allows it) | large folders of notes to read from |
| Water | helps with nerves | messy food or drinks |
| Phone | travel and contact backup at an in-person interview | phone on loud during interview; for the online assessment a phone must not be within sight, reach or active unless it is the device you are using |
| Travel plan | reduces stress | arriving without checking route |
Notes and scripts
Can You Take Notes Into a Police Interview?
In the online assessment centre you cannot bring prepared notes or scripts, and the College of Policing says evidence that notes were prepared beforehand may result in an automatic fail. You can make notes on the platform during the exercises. For a face-to-face interview your force sets the rules, so check your invitation before bringing a notepad.
At an in-person interview, if your force allows it, a notepad can help with logistics, names, dates and questions you want to ask at the end. It should not replace preparation. In our view reading answers can sound robotic and a memorised script can fall apart if the interviewer asks a follow-up question.
Practise structure, not scripts. Know the point you are making, the example you will use and the value you are trying to show.
Online assessment setup
What to Wear for a Police Online Assessment Centre or Video Interview
The College of Policing's 2022 candidate FAQs suggested wearing something you deem appropriate for an assessment setting, because some of your responses are recorded. The current candidate guide (July 2026) says nothing about clothing, and there is no dress code. Our advice is to dress smartly from head to toe if you can, which helps with mindset and avoids awkwardness if you need to stand or adjust your camera.
- ✓smart top, shirt, blouse or jacket
- ✓plain background
- ✓good lighting
- ✓quiet room
- ✓charged laptop, desktop or tablet (recommended for the written exercise)
- ✓stable internet
- ✓camera at eye level
- ✓microphone tested
- ✓no other phone, tablet, laptop or smart device within sight, within reach or active
- ✓no prepared notes or scripts (you can make notes on the platform)
- ✓ID photo taken before you start
- ✓water nearby
Treat the online assessment like a real interview. Open each exercise only when you are ready, because you cannot restart it once you have started.
Online interview practice
Prepare for Your OAC Before the Camera Turns On
Your room, sound and lighting help you look composed. Your answer structure still needs practice, especially with the timed response windows (for the interview exercise, 60 seconds thinking time then up to 300 seconds to record).
Interview day conduct
What to Wear for an In-Person Police Interview
For an in-person interview, choose a professional outfit that would be suitable for a formal public service job interview. Smart, simple and comfortable is usually safer than anything loud, casual or heavily branded.
Our practical tips: arrive in good time, check parking or public transport beforehand, bring requested documents in a neat folder, greet staff politely, switch your phone to silent, and avoid chewing gum or strong fragrance.
Be polite to everyone you meet, not just the interviewers. It is good practice and it is a professional environment.
Arrival checklist
- ✓ route checked
- ✓ parking or station checked
- ✓ documents packed
- ✓ recruitment contact saved
- ✓ phone on silent
- ✓ water available
- ✓ examples practised out loud
What to Wear to a Police Assessment Centre
The national online assessment is taken at home. Some forces may invite candidates to in-person days that combine stages, and details vary by force, so follow your invitation. Unless told otherwise, smart professional clothing is our suggestion, plus sports kit only if the force says a fitness element is included.
| Assessment type | Clothing approach |
|---|---|
| Online assessment (OAC): competency-based interview and briefing exercise | Recorded by webcam. The College of Policing suggests something you deem appropriate for an assessment setting; smart and simple is our advice |
| Online assessment (OAC): written exercise | Typed, not recorded, but you also take an ID photo before you start, so dress as you would for the rest |
| Face-to-face interview with your force | Smart and professional unless your invitation says otherwise |
| Fitness test or other force stages | Dates and format vary by force, so follow the instructions you are sent, including any kit list |
Grooming, Hair, Tattoos and Piercings
Appearance policies are set by individual forces and we have not checked them all. Follow force-specific guidance rather than assuming every force takes the same approach. The points below are our general advice.
- ✓ hair should be neat and professional
- ✓ facial hair should be tidy
- ✓ check your force policy on visible tattoos
- ✓ check your force policy on piercings and jewellery
- ✓ avoid anything that distracts from your answers
- ✓ if unsure, check force guidance
What If You Cannot Afford a Suit?
You do not need expensive clothing to look professional. A clean shirt or blouse, smart trousers, a simple jacket and clean shoes can be enough.
- ✓ borrow from family or friends
- ✓ use charity shops
- ✓ choose simple neutral colours
- ✓ focus on clean, ironed and well-fitting
- ✓ avoid logos and casual items
- ✓ do not get into debt for interview clothes
Professional does not mean expensive. It means clean, appropriate and respectful.
Common candidate errors
Common Dress Code and Preparation Mistakes
wearing casual clothing because it is only online
arriving without ID
relying on screenshots with no battery
not checking the interview location
wearing uncomfortable shoes
overusing fragrance
bringing too many notes to an in-person interview
having prepared notes or another device in the room for the online assessment
arriving late
failing to test camera or microphone
forgetting the recruitment team contact number
dressing smartly but not preparing answers
Snippet-friendly checklist
Police Interview 24-Hour Preparation Checklist
The day before
- ✓confirm time and location
- ✓check force instructions
- ✓prepare outfit
- ✓iron clothes
- ✓pack documents
- ✓plan travel
- ✓test laptop if online
- ✓charge devices
- ✓practise two or three key answers
- ✓sleep properly
On the day
- ✓eat something light
- ✓leave early
- ✓bring water
- ✓switch phone to silent
- ✓arrive calm
- ✓listen carefully
- ✓answer the question asked
- ✓use “I” language
- ✓stay professional with everyone
How Presentation Connects to Police Values
The College of Policing assesses your responses, not your outfit. Our view is that professional presentation can support the values you are trying to demonstrate by showing preparation and respect for the process. The three CVF values are courage, respect and empathy, and public service.
| CVF value | How presentation can support it (our view) |
|---|---|
| Public service | shows you take a public-facing role seriously |
| Respect and empathy | shows consideration for the process and the people assessing you |
| Courage | feeling composed can help you speak up clearly under pressure |
PolicePay Mock Interview Simulator
Dress Smart. Then Practise the Answers That Actually Get Scored.
Your outfit helps create a professional first impression, but your answers decide the interview. The PolicePay Mock Interview Simulator helps you practise timed police recruitment answers, improve your STAR structure and prepare for OAC or in-person interview questions.
Independent preparation tool. Not affiliated with any police force or the College of Policing.
- ✓OAC and in-person interview practice
- ✓timed STAR response practice
- ✓CVF Level 1 preparation feedback
- ✓police interview question bank
- ✓answer structure review
- ✓ownership language check
- ✓missing result detection
- ✓improved answer guidance
- ✓preparation report if available
Dress Code Notes for PCEP, PCDA, DHEP and Detective Candidates
PCEP
The same advice applies whichever route you apply for. The recruitment stages are the same nationally, so treat it as a formal, professional assessment.
PCDA
The same advice applies. Present yourself professionally, as you would for any formal public service interview.
DHEP
The same advice applies. Graduate candidates should not assume the interview is informal.
Detective entry routes
The same advice applies: treat it as a formal, professional interview. Detective versions of the graduate and other entry routes are run by individual forces, so follow your force instructions.
Interview and assessment centre updates
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Candidate FAQs
Police Interview Dress Code FAQs
What should I wear to a police interview? +
There is no national dress code published for police recruitment interviews, so follow any instructions from your force. Our advice is smart, professional clothing similar to a formal job interview: a suit, blazer, shirt, blouse, smart trousers, skirt or formal dress. We would avoid casual clothing such as jeans, trainers, hoodies or sportswear.
Do I need to wear a suit to a police interview? +
We do not know of any rule requiring a suit. A suit is a safe option, but the key is to look smart, clean and professional. A blazer, shirt or blouse with smart trousers or a formal skirt can also work. Check your invitation for any guidance.
Can I wear jeans to a police interview? +
In our view jeans are best avoided for a formal interview, since even smart jeans can look casual. No national rule bans them, so follow your force instructions.
What should I bring to a police interview? +
Bring photo ID, your interview invitation, any documents requested by the force, a pen, small notepad, water, travel details and the recruitment team contact information. Always follow the specific instructions sent by your force.
Can I bring notes to a police interview? +
For the online assessment centre you cannot bring prepared notes or scripts: the College of Policing says evidence that notes were prepared beforehand may result in an automatic fail. You can make notes on the platform during the exercises. For the face-to-face interview, your force sets the rules, so check your invitation and ask the recruitment team if it is unclear.
What should I wear for a police online assessment centre? +
The College of Policing's 2022 candidate FAQs suggested wearing something you deem appropriate for an assessment setting, because some of your responses are recorded; the current guide (July 2026) does not mention clothing. There is no dress code. Our advice is a smart top, shirt, blouse or jacket, a quiet room with good lighting, and a tested camera and microphone. You take an ID photo before you start, you cannot use prepared notes, and no second device may be within sight, within reach or active.
What should I wear to a police assessment centre? +
The national online assessment is taken at home. If your force invites you to an in-person day, follow its instructions. Unless told otherwise, our advice is smart professional clothing, plus sports kit only if the force tells you a fitness element is included.
Can I wear trainers to a police interview? +
Our advice is to avoid trainers unless you have a medical reason or the force has told you the day involves a practical or fitness element. Smart shoes are usually safer.
Do tattoos matter in a police interview? +
Tattoo and appearance policies are set by individual forces, and we have not checked every force. Check the policy of the force you are applying to before your interview.
Should I wear makeup or jewellery? +
If you choose to wear makeup or jewellery, keep it professional and not distracting. The aim is to look prepared and appropriate for a public-facing role.
What if I cannot afford a suit? +
You do not need expensive clothing. Clean, smart and professional clothing is enough. Consider borrowing, using charity shops or choosing simple neutral items that look formal.
Does dress code affect whether I pass? +
The College of Policing assesses your responses against the Competency and Values Framework, and we know of no published marking for clothing. Your answers matter most, but dressing smartly is a sensible way to take the process seriously and feel prepared.
Is this guide about being interviewed by police? +
No. This guide is about police officer recruitment interviews for candidates applying to join the police. It is not about suspect interviews, custody interviews, witness interviews or legal advice.
Final preparation step
Check Your Police Interview Preparation Before the Real Day
If the outfit, documents and route are sorted, the next risk is usually the answer itself. Practise at least one motivation answer, one CVF example and one follow-up answer before interview day.
PolicePay is an independent explanatory and preparation platform. Sources for the factual points: College of Policing online assessment candidate guide (updated July 2026) and candidate FAQs v2.2 (2022, older guidance) and Derbyshire Constabulary in-force interview preparation guide. The clothing and packing advice is ours. It is not official recruitment guidance, does not replace instructions from your recruiting force, and does not guarantee any assessment outcome.
Last reviewed 1 October 2026