Why do we use the online assessment as part of the recruitment and selection process?
We want you to experience what it is like to be as a Trainee Detective Constable. You should prepare to face situations like the ones presented to you in the online assessment as part of the role. This will also help you decide if the role is the right fit for you.
Why is there a mixture of written and video responses in the online assessment?
We include both written and video responses in our online assessment so that applicants get an understanding of the various communication methods you’ll need to utilise on the programme and to immerse you in the role of a Trainee Detective Constable.
How long will the online assessment take?
The online assessment is likely to take between 60-90 minutes. We encourage people to go at their own pace but for the best results, we advise you to do it in one sitting.
How should I prepare for the online assessment?
When sitting down to start your online assessment, ensure you are in a quiet environment. Allow enough time to complete the online assessment in one sitting. Make sure you have completed comprehensive research into Police Now, the National Detective Programme and the role of a detective before you start. You can have your notes near you but try not to read from them completely.
Am I able to review my video responses before I submit?
You can review your video responses in the online assessment, however you are not able to re-record your video response. We advise you to ensure you have reviewed our technical guidance page before starting the assessment, to ensure your audio and video is functioning correctly.
Who should I contact if I have a technical issue?
We advise candidates to look at our technical guidance page before contacting us and try to resolve the issue. If you have tried these solutions and the issue is not fixed, we recommend getting in touch with a member of the team via our live chat, which can be accessed on our website.
What will happen afterwards?
We’ll be in touch again within two weeks to let you know the outcome and you will also receive feedback on your performance in the assessment at this time.
How long, on average, can I expect from application to offer?
Overall, the time can take between two to three months. This is highly dependent on how soon you fill out an application (which takes five working days to process), when you complete your online assessment (which takes ten working days to process), and the earliest date you can attend an assessment centre. It is also dependent on the volume of applications we receive which is typically very high for the National Detective Programme so delays may occur.