Second Jobs & Business
Interests in the Police (UK)
Can police officers have second jobs?
Yes — but only within strict rules
under Police Regulations 2003 and force business interest policies.
Trust Notice: Independent explanatory guidance based on Police Regulations 2003 (as amended). Not legal advice. Not affiliated with any police force or staff association.
Executive Summary
What Are the Rules on Police Second Jobs?
- Officers must declare any business interest
- Chief Officers can approve or refuse applications
- Conflicts of interest are strictly prohibited
- Certain industries are almost always refused
- Failing to declare can amount to misconduct
Second income is permitted. Undeclared conflict is not.
What Counts as a Business Interest?
Under Police Regulations 2003, a “business interest” is broader than just a second job. It includes:
Not all hobbies are business interests. But income-generating activity almost always is. Forces usually provide local forms and approval panels to assess these.
What Must Be Declared?
Transparency is key in the declaration process. Even "minor" or occasional income must be reported to ensure no hidden conflicts exist.
- Any paid employment outside policing
- Any company directorship or partnership
- Any business operated in your name
- Any role that could conflict with policing duties
Approval Benchmarks
Commonly Approved
- Coaching & Tutoring
- Fitness instruction
- Academic work or writing
- Farming (family business)
- Creative freelance work
- Community volunteering (unpaid)
Commonly Refused
- Private security in local area
- Bailiff or enforcement roles
- Door supervision in conflict locations
- Taxi/Uber in same policing area
- Roles involving conflict with powers
- Businesses risking reputational harm
Decisions depend on force, role, geography and rank.
The Conflict of Interest Test
operational compromised
Does it compromise your ability to respond to duty?
impartiality
Does it risk your neutrality in decision-making?
public confidence
Could it damage the reputation of the service?
perception test
How would a member of the public view the arrangement?
fitness for duty
Does it affect your rest or operational readiness?
Even if lawful, a business interest can still be refused on policy grounds.
Working Time & Fatigue
Fatigue is a significant factor in police misconduct. Overlapping shifts or excessive hours can lead to errors in judgment that carry high career risks.
The Cost of Non-Declaration
The most common pitfall is the failure to declare. In many cases, the act of concealment is treated more seriously by Professional Standards than the nature of the job itself.
Misconduct Risks
- Gross Misconduct for concealment
- Breach of Honesty & Integrity
- Potential Barred List entry
Can Approval Be Withdrawn?
Yes. Approval is not a permanent entitlement.
Force business interest approvals are typically subject to regular review. Approval can be withdrawn if:
- Operational changes create new conflicts.
- Performance or attendance concerns arise.
- The officer is subject to misconduct proceedings.
- New reputational risks are identified.
Student Officer Context
Student officers are on probation and subject to the highest levels of scrutiny. Any business interest that distracts from training may lead to Regulation 13 action.
Tax & Income Notes
Self Assessment
You are personally responsible for declaring second income to HMRC. Most officers with approved business interests will need to complete annual Self-Assessment tax returns.
Overtime Interaction
A second job can sometimes be less tax-efficient than additional police overtime, depending on your tax bracket and whether your second income is pensionable.
The Financial Reflection
The decision to pursue a second job is often driven by real-terms pay pressures. However, officers should reflect on the non-financial costs and risks before applying.
The Rewards
Supplemental income to combat inflation, skill diversification, and a "hedge" for career transition planning.
The Risks
Fatigue, increased misconduct exposure, vetting complications, and potential impact on police pension value if service is reduced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Concise, regulation-based answers for officers considering side income.
• Can police officers have a second job in the UK?
Yes, police officers can have second jobs or business interests in the UK, provided they are declared and approved by their Chief Officer under Police Regulations 2003.
• Do police need permission for side jobs?
Yes. All business interests must be declared and formally approved. Carrying out a side job without approval can lead to disciplinary action for misconduct.
• Can I drive Uber as a police officer?
This depends on your force policy. Many forces refuse Uber or taxi roles within their own policing area due to potential conflicts of interest, but may approve them in a different geographic area.
• Can I run a business while serving?
Yes. Running a business (e.g., an online store or property management) is a 'business interest' and needs approval, even if you are not the one doing the day-to-day work.
• What happens if I don’t declare a business interest?
Failure to declare a business interest is a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour and can result in misconduct or gross misconduct investigations.
• Can student officers have second jobs?
Student officers can apply, but they are usually under stricter scrutiny to ensure the second job does not interfere with their training or Regulation 13 performance standards.
• Can approval be withdrawn?
Yes. Approval is not permanent. It can be withdrawn if operational needs change, if a conflict of interest emerges, or if the officer's performance or attendance is affected.
• Is freelance work allowed?
Freelance work (e.g., photography, tutoring, or creative writing) is often approved as long as it does not conflict with police duties or use police resources/time.
• Do police staff follow the same rules?
Police staff usually have similar secondary employment policies, though they are governed by employment contracts rather than Police Regulations 2003.
• Can second jobs affect promotion?
While a second job itself shouldn't bar promotion, if it causes fatigue or performance issues, it will be considered during the promotion process.
• Does having a business interest trigger vetting review?
Significant business interests, especially those involving partnerships or financial risk, may prompt a review of an officer's vetting status to ensure financial stability.
• Can I do security work off duty?
Private security work is often refused by many forces due to the high risk of a conflict of interest or reputational damage, particularly in the local force area.
Related Resources
Real Terms Pay Analysis
Understand the inflationary drivers behind second job applications.
Police vs Private Sector
How total reward compares to corporate roles.
Overtime Guide
Maximum multipliers and claiming rules.
Misconduct Hub
The regulatory impact of professional standards.
Police Pension Hub
Protecting your long-term retirement value.
Gross Misconduct
Definitions and consequences for non-declaration.