1. Who are we looking for?

Candidates need to be at least 16 years old to apply for most roles with Devon & Cornwall Police. However, for roles that involve shift work—such as evenings or late finishes—you’ll need to be aged 18 or over. This is to make sure you’re able to safely work the required hours and meet the demands of the role.

We know that people come to us at different stages in their lives and careers, so whether you’re just starting out or considering a new direction, there could be an opportunity for you

Everyone working for Devon & Cornwall Police, whether in uniform or not, holds a position of responsibility and trust within our communities. Because of this, we’re looking for people who demonstrate integrity and a commitment to doing the right thing.

If you have a previous conviction, this doesn’t automatically prevent you from applying. Each application is carefully considered, taking into account the nature of the offence and the circumstances, to ensure a fair and balanced approach.

Before applying, please check that you meet the eligibility requirements below.

Right to Work in the UK

You must have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. This includes:

• British citizens (including British Overseas Territories and British Islands)
• Irish citizens
• Commonwealth citizens with the Right of Abode
• Foreign nationals, including EU/EEA or Swiss citizens, with Indefinite Leave to Remain or another visa granting an unrestricted or restricted right to live and work in the UK

Evidence of your right to work will be required during the recruitment process.

Visas and Contracts

Where your right to work in the UK is time‑limited, any offer of employment will be aligned to your immigration status. This may be through a fixed‑term contract or, in some cases, a permanent contract subject to maintaining a valid right to work. Applications are considered on an individual basis; however, Graduate visas are normally not accepted, as they cannot be extended and do not guarantee progression to another visa route.

Residency and Vetting

Have you lived outside of the UK during the last three or five years?

To undertake police vetting, you are required to have been resident in the UK for a specific period immediately before an application is made. Depending on the vetting level, you should not have lived outside of the UK during the last three or five years depending on the role. The residency criteria ensures that applicants have a checkable history and allows for meaningful vetting enquiries. There is discretion if you have resided in a country where those meaningful vetting checks and enquiries can be made.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to get in touch – we’re here to help and support you through the process.

Qualifications aren’t always required for every role. In some cases, specific qualifications will be needed—for example, a fingerprint examiner would require specialist expertise and registration with the appropriate professional body.

For most roles, we focus on the skills and competencies needed to do the job well.

When applying, you’ll have the opportunity to show how your experience, strengths, and abilities match what we’re looking for.

The skills we’re looking for will vary depending on the role. However, qualities like good communication, teamwork, and a positive approach to working with others are valued across all areas.

We also look for people who show resilience, a strong focus on customer service, and a genuine respect for diversity and inclusion.

Everyone who joins Devon & Cornwall Police will go through a vetting process. This is an important part of making sure we maintain the trust and confidence of our communities, and that the right checks are in place for people in positions of responsibility.

Vetting helps ensure that all our officers and staff meet the high standards expected of them, while also protecting the public and the organisation as a whole.

You can find out more about what’s involved in the vetting process in the  national-convictions-guidlines pdf.