Getting into the police here in the UK involves passing a competency based interview (CBI).  Irrespective of the post you are applying for, whether PCSO, officer, sergeant or specialist, your interview questions will be based on the Police competency and values framework (CVF). 

The UK police recruitment process is highly challenging, involving rigorous tests, detailed background checks and comprehensive competency and formal interviews.

You will be expected to demonstrate strong ethical standards, resilience and effective communication skills among others. This demanding selection criteria ensures only the most capable and dedicated individuals join the force, upholding public trust and safety.

In this article, we detail the recruitment process and list police competency based interview questions along worth questions traditionally asked.

Police Interview Process for PCSO and PC

For entry level roles including Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) and Police Constable (PC) the recruitment process is similar.

• Application: You will complete an online application form detailing your qualifications, experience, and motivation for joining the police. Some forces include some competency and/or values-based questions in their application form.
• Online Assessment: In addition, you may go through the shortlisting process (SIFT) where you will complete a Situational Judgement Test (SJT) and a Behaviours Questionnaire. Your eligibility will be checked and your communication and other skills will be assessed along with your motivation and suitability.
• Assessment Centre Visit: If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an assessment centre. During your visit you will take part in a formal competency based interview and presentation and you will complete a briefing exercise and a written assessment. Please note, for some forces this step will be online with your interview by pre-recorded or live video and exercises completed online.
• Pre-Employment Checks: Once you pass the assessment centre activities, you will then go through pre-employment checks including fitness and background checks.

Please note that some forces may vary the process or activities however they will largely be in line the steps above.

Police Interview Process for Senior Police Officer such as Sergeant

Getting a promotion from constable into a senior police officer role such as sergeant is a very exciting step in your career. However, the recruitment process is highly challenging, involving an application with detailed competency based questions, a briefing exercise and a formal interview.

• Online Application Form: You will complete an online application form which will consist of competency-based questions. These will be based on the police values and core competencies. Some forces limit to two questions requiring an answer of up to 800 words.
• Promotion Board: If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend a promotion board. The promotion board will consist of a briefing exercise and an interview. You will have advance notice of the briefing exercise task and you will be required to give your answer in the form of a presentation. Expect a presentation of 10 minutes followed by 10 minutes of questioning on the topic and your recommendations.
• Formal Interview: Following the briefing exercise, you will then move into the interview. This will be in front of the same panel and will be competency based. Standard process involves a set competency‐based questions all based around the CVF, usually in the region of 4 or 5 and lasting about 40 minutes in total.

Police Competency Based Interview Questions

You will be asked Police Competency Based Interview questions, either on your online application and assessment or as part of your video or face to face interview.

These questions will be based on the Police Competency and Values Framework (CVF). This is a document that outlines the behaviours that you must demonstrate at all times when working with the police force.

There are 3 values and 6 competencies in the framework as follows:

Values:

• Respect and empathy
• Courage
• Public Service

Competencies

• Emotionally aware
• Take ownership
• Collaborate
• Support and inspire
• Analyse critically
• Innovative and open-minded

Respect and Empathy

Respect for empathy is a core police value and emphasises understanding and valuing others’ feelings and perspectives. Officers demonstrate this by listening actively, showing compassion, and treating everyone with dignity. This competency helps build trust, improve community relations, and enhance effective communication, fostering a supportive environment for both colleagues and the public. (Get your answers created for you – see how)

Courage

So what does the police value Courage mean in practice? In practice this involves facing danger, uncertainty, and adversity with bravery and resilience. Officers demonstrate courage by making difficult decisions, standing up for justice, and protecting the community despite personal risk. This value is essential for maintaining public safety and upholding the law with integrity. When giving a competency based interview answer, choose an example where you had to take charge, where yo had to take a risk perhaps so as to achieve a successful outcome. (Get your answers created for you – see how)

Public Service

In your role within the police, everything you do will be in service of the public. This involves being aware of your role and the power you have. It means exercising this power for the benefit of your community and the public. You would demonstrate this by being responsive, accessible, and committed to meeting the needs of the public. This value fosters trust, ensures safety, and enhances the quality of life for all community members. (Get your answers created for you – see how)

Emotionally Aware

This is a core police competency requires making the effort to understand yourself, your colleagues and the public. It is demonstrated by being able to manage our own emotions as well as understand the emotions of those around you. In your police competency based interview, give an example which shows you remain calm under pressure, showing empathy and effectively handling stressful situations. This competency also involves being excellent with communication, building trust and improving overall interactions with the community. (Get your answers created for you – see how)

Take Ownership

Taking ownership is all about taking responsibility for your decisions and actions. Within this is the competency of decision making and judgement. Officers demonstrate this by being accountable, proactive in solving problems, and committed to continuous improvement. This competency ensures reliability, builds trust within the community, and contributes to effective and ethical law enforcement practices. (Get your answers created for you – see how)

Collaborate

Being an effective police officer means interacting not just with colleagues but also with a range of other organisations and agencies. You daily activities will involve working effectively with colleagues, partners, and the community to achieve common goals. When answering competency based interview questions about collaboration, you can talk about times when you fostered teamwork, shared information, and leveraged diverse perspectives. This competency enhances problem-solving, improves community relations, and ensures a cohesive approach to public safety and crime prevention. (Get your answers created for you – see how)

Support and inspire

The police competency “Support and Inspire” involves motivating and encouraging colleagues to achieve their best. This is not just relevant for management posts but all officers would be expected to show this demonstrate this by providing guidance, recognising achievements, and fostering a positive, inclusive environment. This competency strengthens team morale, promotes professional growth, and enhances overall performance, contributing to a more effective and cohesive police force. (Get your answers created for you – see how)

Analyse Critically

This competency is very closely linked with decision making and how you use your experience, training and insight to make correct judgements. When creating a competency based answer for this consider a time when you had to make difficult decision, where you had to analyse information from various sources. Perhaps you had to question assumptions and consider multiple perspectives. This competency ensures accurate assessments, effective problem-solving, and sound judgment, enhancing the quality and reliability of police work. (Get your answers created for you – see how)

Innovative and open-minded

The police competency “Innovative and Open-minded” involves embracing new ideas and approaches to improve policing. As an officer you would demonstrate this by being adaptable, creative, and receptive to change. This competency fosters continuous improvement, encourages problem-solving, and enhances the ability to meet evolving community needs effectively and efficiently. For your competency based interview answer, think of a time when you had either made a change, an improvement or you had to adapt to change. Make sure your answer shows that you are comfortable with change. (Get your answers created for you – see how)

Example Police Competency Based Interview Questions

You will most likely not be examined on all the above within one single interview. Some will be tested via the written exercise or role play. Here are some sample police competency based interview questions with the competency being examined in brackets: (Get answers here)

• Give me an example of a time when you had to make a decision in a very short space of time, perhaps dealing with a crisis or emergency. (Analyse Critically)
• Tell us about a time you went above your normal duties to help someone, what was involved and what was the result? (Collaborate)
• Describe a time when you had to manage conflict in your team or among your colleagues. How did you approach this situation and how did you resolve it? (Take Ownership)
• When have you intervened and took charge of a situation in order to resolve it quickly? (Take Ownership)
• Describe a time when you successfully challenged someone whose views you knew were incorrect.  Tell us what happened and how you convinced them to accept your opinion. (Courage and Emotionally Aware)
• Working within the police, you will be called upon to deal with communities and individuals from diverse backgrounds. Provide an example which shows your ability to do so effectively.
• Tell us about a time when you inspired others to achieve something special. (Support and Inspire)
• Tell me about a time when your communication skills played a key role in achieving a successful outcome. What was involved and what part did you play? (Emotionally Aware)

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How to Answer Police Competency Based Interview Questions

They key to answering these competency questions lies on two key factors: the correct structure and a strong example.

1. Use the STAR Method for Structure

For structure use the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This is commonly accepted in most organisations including the police.  The most important part of the answers is the actions you took. This is what they will score on mostly and they must reflect the required positive behaviours.

2. Strong Example Showing Positive Behaviours

For your example, keep in mind they are looking for a demonstration of the positive behaviours associated with the particular competency. For example, when talking about being Emotionally Aware your example and answer must show that you can understand yourself, you know yourself and you strengths and weaknesses. You can manage your emotions even in a challenging situation and you support your colleagues.

3. Talk About Relevant Skills

When answering these police competency questions choose an example that highlights the skills they are looking for. You will be expected to demonstrate strong ethical standards, resilience and effective communication skills among others.

• Think of a time when you worked with others perhaps in a community setting.
• Or where you helped achieve something as part of a team.
• Can you recall a time when you worked while under considerable stress. What did you learn from the experience?
• Do you have an example of time when you had to challenge someone or to take charge in a difficult situation?

Whatever example you choose make sure that it shows you in your best light and there was a successful outcome. Finally, make a note of what you learned from the situation.

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Other Police Interview Questions and Answers

While most of your questions will be competency based especially at the assessment stage, keep in mind that your formal face to face interview may ask a range of questions. Here is a mix of questions common to PCSO, PC and Sergeant job interview.

Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Interview Questions Examples

Working as a PCSO involves varied and interesting duties. You may be involved with keeping neighbourhoods safe or with traffic policing and you will be very much working alongside a team of police officers as part of a team.

Here are some PCSO interview questions for you to consider. (Get answers here)

• Why have you applied to be a Police Community Support Officer?
• In your understanding, what are the key responsibilities of a Police Community Support Officer?
• Describe a time when you improved the way you work – perhaps found a way to do a task more efficiently.
• Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult member of the public. How did you handle it?
• Describe a time when you felt frustrated during an interaction with another person. How did you deal with this emotion both during the interaction and afterwards?
• What qualities would you say make a good Police Officer?
• What is your understanding of diversity? Can you give us an example of how you have shown respect for diversity?

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Police Constable (PC) Interview Questions Examples

Working as a Police Officer at Constable level will be challenging but certainly rewarding. They will look to see of you have essential skills including an ability to deal with complex and sensitive cases, to communicate sensitively and assertively to make correct decisions and work well as part of a team.

Here are some police constable interview questions for you to consider. 

• Why have you applied to be a Police Constable?
• Why are you interested in joining this particular force?
• What skills do you bring that you see as essential to this role in the police?
• Talk through a time when you had to work outside of normal procedures in order to complete your work.
• Describe a time when you reflected on your actions and learned from them.
• Here’s a scenario: You pull over a vehicle for going 10 miles over the speed limit and discover that the driver is a colleague. What is your reaction?
• At a crime scene, tell me how you would ensure that your communications are effective? What if the first language of those involved was not the same as yours?

(Get your PC interview answers created for you here)

Police Promotion Board Interview Questions Sergeant

When moving into a promotion to senior police officer, you will be expected to show leadership experience or potential. They will know you may have not managed teams before however certainly an ability to inspire colleagues to support others will all be examined.

Here are some potential questions for your police promotions board interview. (Get answers here)

• Describe a time when you showed exceptional leadership skills and inspired outstanding performance.
• Tell me about a time when you established effective ways of working with another department. What was the situation and what was the outcome?
• Tell me about a situation or project where you had to apply an unusual level of creativity when making a decision or designing a solution.
• Provide us with an example of where you have challenged behaviour that was either discriminatory or inappropriate. What was the situation, what did you do and say and what was the outcome?
• Talk us through your approach to continuous professional development for yourself and your team?
• How would you establish a positive culture within your team of officers that will deliver improved morale?
• Give an example of a time when you have shown respect for diversity. What did you learn from the experience?

(Get your answers here for your promotions board interview )

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• Covers CVF for PCSO, Constable, Sergeant and Specialist Police Officer Jobs