Recruitment Timeline
Recruitment is a marathon, not a sprint. Use this tool to estimate your start date.
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Application & Sift
4-8 wksOnline application, behavioural questionnaire, and situational judgement test.
Assessment Centre
4-12 wksVirtual or in-person role plays, written exercises, and briefing tasks.
Final Interview
2-6 wksIn-force interview with senior officers focusing on values and motives.
Vetting & References
6-12 wksDeep background checks on you, family, and associates.
Medical & Fitness
4-8 wksBMI check, eye test, hearing test, and 5.4 bleep test.
Offer & Intake
4-12 wksWaiting for a start date slot in an upcoming intake cohort.
Disclaimer: This timeline is an estimate based on typical force processing times. Individual applications may vary significantly based on force demand and HR capacity.
The Short Answer
Expect the process to take 6 to 9 months on average. The biggest variable is not your performance, but Intake Availability. Even if you pass everything in 3 months, you may sit in a "pool" waiting for the next training cohort to begin.
Where Delays Happen
Vetting Backlogs
If you have complex finances, family criminal history, or have lived abroad, your file goes to a specialist unit. This can add 3-6 months.
GP Reports
Forces request medical history from your GP. GPs are busy and can take weeks to respond. If they mention an issue, you may need a specialist referral.
No Intake Dates
Forces plan intakes months in advance. If you miss the September intake by one week, you might wait until January for the next one.
Want a clearer picture beyond this estimate?
The readiness report combines recruitment timing, preparation steps and early career planning into one personalised overview.
One-off £24.99 • Independent planning tool
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does police recruitment take?
On average, 6-9 months. However, it can range from 3 months (very fast) to 18+ months depending on vetting complexity and intake availability.
Why does police vetting take so long?
Vetting is thorough. Delays often occur if you have lived abroad, have family with criminal records, or if you make mistakes on your form that require manual follow-up.
Can I speed up my application?
You can't speed up the force, but you can avoid slowing it down. Respond to emails immediately, have your GP details ready, and ensure your initial application is error-free.
What happens if I fail a stage?
It depends. If you fail the fitness test, you usually get 2 more attempts. If you fail vetting, you are rejected. If you fail the interview, you often have to wait 6 months to reapply.
Do I get paid during training?
Yes. You are a paid employee from Day 1 of your intake date, earning the full starting salary.
Does the Met Police recruit faster?
The Met has high volume, meaning more intake dates, but their vetting backlog can be significant. It is not necessarily faster than smaller county forces.