Can You Fail
Police Training?
Yes, and there is more than one way to do it. This guide sets out each failure point on the PCDA, DHEP and PCEP, what forces usually do first, how the regulation 13 process works, and what happens if you leave.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 18 October 2026 · England and Wales unless stated
Yes. You can fail academic work (PCDA and DHEP), the tutor phase, the portfolio, fitness or officer safety training, or fall short on attendance or conduct. Failure is not usually instant: forces use support plans, extended tutorship and extended probation first. If that does not work, the chief constable can dispense with your services under regulation 13 of the Police Regulations 2003, with a month's notice or a month's pay, and you can choose to resign instead.
The short version
During probation, regulation 13 lets the chief officer dispense with your services at any time if they consider you are not fitted, physically or mentally, to perform the duties of the office, or are not likely to become an efficient or well conducted constable. That is a wide test, and it is how a student officer who fails part of the programme can lose the job.
In practice forces do not jump straight to it. Both procedures we read in full, Wiltshire's and North Yorkshire's, start with support and escalate through meetings, and both allow probation to be extended. The ordinary performance procedures for confirmed officers do not apply: the Police (Performance) Regulations 2020 exclude constable probationers.
The ways a student officer can fail
| Failure point | Usual first response | More |
|---|---|---|
| Academic work (PCDA, DHEP) | University regulations first; persistent failure can become a probation matter | Details |
| Knowledge checks in initial training | Retake, then possible formal action | Details |
| Independent patrol not reached | Extended tutorship with a support plan, or regulation 13 | Details |
| Portfolio or full competence not complete | Not recommended for confirmation; support plan | Details |
| Fitness test or officer safety training | Further attempts, then regulation 13 | Details |
| Attendance | Occupational health advice, support, formal meetings | Details |
| Conduct | Regulation 13 for undisputed matters; conduct regulations for serious or disputed ones | Details |
| PCDA end-point assessment | Graded pass or fail after the gateway | Details |
Failing academic work on the PCDA or DHEP
On the PCDA and DHEP your assignments are set and marked by the force's university partner under the university's own regulations. Wiltshire's procedure says students are subject to the university's terms and conditions, student charter and academic misconduct rules, and that the university creates an individual student plan with extra study skills support where needed.
- When it becomes a probation matter. North Yorkshire's procedure lists failure to achieve academic standards despite prior support from the academic provider as a case that can start at its final review stage.
- Gateways. Wiltshire sets academic gateways at the end of each year (for example 120 credits at level 4 at the end of year one of the PCDA). If a gateway is not met, the regulation 13 process must be considered, and back-coursing is only acceptable in extenuating circumstances.
- Apprenticeship funding. For PCDA students who miss gateways, Wiltshire consults HR, finance and its apprenticeship consultant because apprenticeship funding rules apply.
- Academic misconduct. The university deals with it first. A serious breach can also be treated as a professional standards matter.
The PCDA end-point assessment
The apprenticeship ends with an end-point assessment, graded pass or fail, which can only start once you have passed the gateway: a completed and assessed operational competence portfolio, the required degree modules, and English and maths qualifications in line with the apprenticeship funding rules (Skills England assessment plan for ST0304). If English or maths at level 2 is outstanding, find out early when it must be done.
The College says PCEP does not give you a qualification, so there are no university assignments. You can still fail the operational, fitness, attendance and conduct parts.
Failing the operational parts: knowledge checks, tutor phase and portfolio
- Knowledge checks. North Yorkshire runs a final knowledge check at the end of initial training, covering the whole course, to confirm you are ready for accompanied patrol. Fail it and you get a chance to retake it.
- Independent patrol. In Wiltshire, a student not signed off after the 12-week tutorship can have up to 6 more weeks with a support plan, and then up to another 6 weeks if progress justifies it. At each meeting the alternative is a recommendation under regulation 13. See independent patrol status explained.
- Portfolio. If your portfolio is not complete at final review (week 90 for DHEP, PCEP and pre-join students in Wiltshire), you cannot be recommended for confirmation. You are placed on a support plan with at least three reviews, lasting no more than 12 to 15 weeks.
- Performance after independent patrol. Wiltshire's procedure says failing to meet required performance at set reviews, or serious under-performance at any time, can start its regulation 13 procedure.
Failing fitness or officer safety training
Wiltshire requires a job-related fitness test, personal safety training and conflict management training, plus five fitness assessments spread through probation. The fitness test must be passed before personal safety training. A student who fails either gets a formal support plan and two further attempts. After a third failure, a regulation 13 notice is served.
North Yorkshire treats failure of the initial fitness test or officer safety training after two attempts as one of the cases that can go straight to its stage 3 final review meeting. The standard itself is covered in our annual fitness test guide.
Attendance and sickness
Both procedures handle attendance through the same staged process as performance, but with health advice first. North Yorkshire and Wiltshire both say decisions should not be made until occupational health advice has been obtained and any disability considered. Wiltshire holds an attendance meeting with HR, occupational health, the trainer and supervisors when a student reaches the force threshold.
Possible outcomes at Wiltshire's formal attendance review are no further action, a support plan with a regulation 13 notice, or in exceptional cases a report recommending dismissal. Annex C does not pause probation for sickness, so long absence is more often handled by extending probation.
Conduct
Conduct is where the boundary between regulation 13 and the misconduct system matters.
- Undisputed misconduct. North Yorkshire's procedure can be used, after reference to Professional Standards, with a hearing chaired by the chief constable and at least 10 working days' notice.
- Serious or disputed misconduct. North Yorkshire applies the conduct regulations instead. Wiltshire says conduct that could amount to gross misconduct is dealt with under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020, not regulation 13.
- The barred list. Wiltshire says officers dismissed under the conduct regulations go on the barred list, while those dismissed under regulation 13 do not.
For the conduct system itself, see the misconduct hub.
How the process runs: one force's three stages
North Yorkshire Police's procedure is a clear example of the staged approach. Wiltshire's is similar in outline, with formal meetings chaired by an inspector and a hearing before the chief constable.
| Stage | Who | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1: supportive action | Line manager, PDU sergeant or training representative | Informal meeting, agreed objectives or a supportive plan, monitoring and feedback |
| Stage 2: review meeting | Chaired by the PDU inspector or second line manager (training representative during initial training) | At least 5 working days' notice. Outcomes: improvement plan, recommend extension with a plan, or recommend progression to stage 3 |
| Stage 3: final review meeting | Chaired by a senior operational commander, with a people services adviser | At least 7 working days' notice. Outcomes: recommend discharge to the chief constable, recommend extension, extend the plan, or no further action |
| Decision | Chief constable, on the papers and the stage 3 recommendation | Decision in writing within 5 working days. One month's pay in lieu of notice if discharged. The decision is final |
Some cases can start at stage 3 without the earlier steps. North Yorkshire lists them:
| Case |
|---|
| Failing the final initial training knowledge check (after the retake opportunity) |
| Failing the initial job-related fitness test or officer safety training after two attempts |
| Other substantial concern about attendance or performance during initial classroom training |
| Failing to achieve academic standards despite prior support from the academic provider |
| Other substantial concern for which supportive action is not appropriate |
Possible outcomes
| Outcome | What it means |
|---|---|
| No further action | Concerns resolved or not substantiated |
| Support or improvement plan | Specific objectives and review dates; in Wiltshire up to 3 reviews with 12 to 15 weeks between them, and formal plans normally no longer than 3 months |
| Extended probation | The chief officer's power in Annex C, usually with a plan and a review before the extension ends |
| Back-coursing | Moving to a later intake; Wiltshire allows it only in extenuating circumstances |
| Different role (detective routes) | Wiltshire may offer a PIP1 investigator post to a DCEP student who does not pass the NIE or complete the PIP2 portfolio |
| Discharge under regulation 13 | Decided by the chief constable; a month's notice or a month's pay instead |
| Resignation | Available instead of dismissal under regulation 13 |
Extended probation is covered in detail in extended police probation explained.
After a discharge or resignation
- Notice and pay. A month's notice or a month's pay instead (regulation 13(2)). If you resign under regulation 13 you keep your pay to the end of the notice period or any pay in lieu already due.
- No appeal stage in the regulation. Regulation 13 has no appeal. North Yorkshire says the chief constable's decision is final. Challenges are legal ones, so take advice quickly. Our regulation 13 explained guide covers how decisions are challenged and what happens to your pension.
- Employment law. Section 200 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 excludes police service from ordinary unfair dismissal claims, except for dismissals for health and safety or whistleblowing reasons. Section 42 of the Equality Act 2010 lets a constable bring discrimination claims as if employed by the chief officer.
- Coming back. The rejoiner route under regulation 10B is described by the Home Office as for people who previously completed probation. We found no national rule against applying again as a new recruit. See rejected and reapplying.
- Staff roles. Wiltshire's procedure says a student who resigns for reasons unrelated to support plans may be considered for their former police staff role if there is a vacancy.
Protecting yourself
Our suggestions, drawn from what the procedures give weight to:
- Read your force's procedure and your programme handbook so you know the gateways and the stages before anything goes wrong.
- Keep your own dated notes of feedback, support offered and anything that limited your progress, such as shift patterns, crewing or abstractions.
- Ask for every plan in writing with measurable objectives and review dates.
- Bring a Federation representative to any formal meeting. Both procedures give you that right.
- Comment in writing on any report sent to a decision maker. North Yorkshire's procedure says you can, directly or through the Federation.
- Raise health issues and disability early, and ask for occupational health advice and reasonable adjustments.
- If resignation is being discussed, take advice before deciding, because it affects how your departure is recorded.
What we could not verify
- National failure rates. We found no published figures for how many student officers fail or leave each route, and we do not estimate any.
- University resit rules. Each university partner sets its own resubmission and resit rules. We did not read any university's regulations, so check your programme handbook.
- Every force's limits. The attempt limits, plan lengths and notice periods on this page come from Wiltshire and North Yorkshire. Other forces differ.
- Reapplying after discharge. We found no national rule on reapplying as a new recruit after a regulation 13 discharge. Forces decide applications and vetting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fail the police degree apprenticeship?
Yes. The PCDA end-point assessment is graded pass or fail, and you must pass the gateway first: a completed and assessed operational competence portfolio, the required degree modules, and English and maths. Before that, failed academic work is dealt with under the university's regulations, and persistent failure can become a probation matter for the force.
How many times can you fail the police fitness test in training?
It depends on your force. Wiltshire Police gives a student who fails the job-related fitness test or personal safety training a formal support plan and two further attempts, and serves a regulation 13 notice after a third failure. North Yorkshire treats failure after two attempts as a case that can go straight to its final review stage.
Do you get sacked if you fail police training?
Not automatically. Both force procedures we read start with support and plans, and can extend probation. Discharge under regulation 13 is the end of a staged process, decided by the chief constable. It can come sooner for serious or repeated failures, and alleged serious misconduct goes through the conduct regulations instead.
Can I resign instead of being dismissed?
Yes. Regulation 13 lets a constable avoid dismissal by giving written notice to retire on or before the date the dismissal would take effect, and the force must accept it even if it is less than a month's notice. Wiltshire's procedure says that option remains until the start of the hearing before the chief constable.
Can I rejoin the police after failing probation?
Not through the rejoiner route as such: regulation 10B rejoining, as described in the Home Office's Annex C material, is for people who previously completed probation. We found no national rule that stops you applying again as a new recruit, but forces decide applications and vetting, so ask the force first and be open about your history.
Does failing probation put you on the police barred list?
Wiltshire Police's procedure says officers dismissed through the regulation 13 procedure are not included on the barred list, while those dismissed under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2020 are. It adds that the conduct process should be used where appropriate so relevant information is recorded for vetting.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 18 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- The Police Regulations 2003, regulation 13: discharge of probationer (legislation.gov.uk) : the test for discharge, a month's notice or pay in lieu, resignation instead of dismissal (accessed 18 October 2026)
- Home Office Circular 009/2024: Annex C, probation (18 December 2024) : probation periods and the chief officer's power to set a longer period (accessed 18 October 2026)
- Home Office: Annex C probation periods (accessible version, Circular 003/2019 on rejoiners) : regulation 10B rejoiners described as people who previously completed the required constable probation and resigned or retired (accessed 18 October 2026)
- Wiltshire Police: Training and Probationary Procedural Guidance for Student Officers (PDF, version 4.0, 2 October 2025) : gateways, back-coursing, academic terms, performance, fitness, attendance, misconduct, barred list, resignation, DCEP NIE attempts. One force's procedure (accessed 18 October 2026)
- North Yorkshire Police: Regulation 13 for Student Officers procedure (PDF, 2025) : the three-stage process, cases that start at stage 3, remedies, outcomes, discharge decision, misconduct boundary (accessed 18 October 2026)
- Skills England: Police constable (integrated degree) ST0304 and end-point assessment plan : gateway requirements and pass or fail grading (accessed 18 October 2026)
- College of Policing: Police constable entry routes (via the production mirror) : route lengths, qualifications, PCEP gives no qualification (accessed 18 October 2026)
- The Police (Performance) Regulations 2020, explanatory note (legislation.gov.uk) : constable probationers are excluded (accessed 18 October 2026)
- Employment Rights Act 1996, section 200, and Equality Act 2010, section 42 (legislation.gov.uk) : police service excluded from ordinary unfair dismissal rights except health and safety and whistleblowing dismissals; constables treated as employed for Equality Act claims (section 42 at legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/section/42) (accessed 18 October 2026)
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Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with the College of Policing, the Home Office, any university or any police force. Training programmes, timings, assessment and probation procedures are set nationally but delivered locally, so your force's own policy and your offer letter decide how they apply to you. This is general information, not legal advice: if your probation is extended or you are served a regulation 13 notice, speak to your Police Federation representative. Details are as checked on 18 October 2026.