Royal Air Force - Regular & Reserve

SECURITY AND RESILIENCE OPERATIONS RAF Police Officer CURRENTLY RECRUITING

As an RAF Police Officer, you will have a diverse role, protecting our bases and aircraft from threats like espionage, organised crime and terrorism. As a policing specialist you will also lead RAF policemen and women and sometimes work in partnership with the RAF Regiment or intelligence agencies.

Full-time regular Spare time reserve

Learn more about this role

Pay During Initial Officer Training + Six Months £28,860+ + Benefits

Pay Six Months Post IOT £34,690+ + Benefits

Apply as a Regular


DAY RATE STARTS AT: £72.46 Depends on role, rank and experience

Starts at £26,466.84 per year.

Apply as a Reserve


Is this for you?

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Be aged 17.5-47 (Must attest before 48th birthday)
  • Have GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language and Maths and at least three other subjects
  • In addition, you need at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking or Citizenship Studies) which must total a minimum of 64 UCAS points
  • You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship
  • Must have resided in the UK for at least 7 years immediately preceding application
  • Parents/Spouse must currently have UK citizenship
  • You must have a full UK driving licence
  • Commit to minimum 12 years service
  • Meet the fitness and health criteria
  • Pass a Fitness test - Details below

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Helping people
  • Transport & Vehicles
  • Aircraft

APPLICANTS MUST:

  • Personnel interested in obtaining a commission in the RAF Police Reserves are required to join the Specialisation first and then to commission from the ranks. Suitability and requirements can be obtained from initial recruitment focal points and from Squadron specialists. (Ex-Regular Police officers, ex-military officers from an equivalent Branch will be considered on a case-by-case basis; recruiting personnel will be able to advise.)
  • Be aged 18-54 Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis
  • Must have resided in the UK for at least 7 years immediately preceding application
  • You must have a full UK driving licence
  • Commit 27 days per year
  • Pass a General Fitness Test

GREAT FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN:

  • Helping people
  • Transport & Vehicles
  • Analysis and maths

Locations

502 Sqn, JHFS Aldergrove, Co Antrim (No current vacancies)
603 Sqn, Edinburgh, Edinburgh (No current vacancies)
605 Sqn, RAF Cosford, Shropshire (Extremely limited vacancies)
609 Sqn, RAF Leeming, North Yorkshire (No current vacancies)
614 Sqn, Cardiff, (No current vacancies)
2503 Sqn, RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire (Extremely limited vacancies)
2620 Sqn, RAF Marham, Norfolk (No current vacancies)
2622 Sqn (Highland), RAF Lossiemouth, Moray (Ex-Regular only)
2623 Sqn, RAF Honington, Suffolk
2624 Sqn, RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (Ex-Regular only)
3 Tactical Police Sqn, RAF Honington, Suffolk

VIEW ALL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Undertake criminal, security and cyber investigations
  • Provide risk management and policing advice to senior officers
  • Escort convoys and provide personal protection

As an RAF Police Officer, you are not only responsible for policing; your main role is to provide security – of assets, people and information. You also protect classified data – computer security, in particular, is a rapidly expanding and challenging field and deal with any offences involving policemen or officers. This is a demanding role which requires the highest levels of personal integrity combined with the ability to assess and act on complex information as a security / policing specialist and as a leader.

You will lead a team of RAF Police and security personnel, including soldiers of the Military Provost Guard Service and will routinely provide senior officers with security risk management and law enforcement advice. Although this may sound daunting, your training will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to do the job.

You will be expected to deploy on operations overseas, leading RAF Police personnel in a range of challenging operational environments.

As with officers in most other branches, RAF Police Officers change jobs every few years. As your career develops, you will have the opportunity to engage in specialist areas such as investigation of serious crime, cybersecurity/information assurance, counterintelligence, protective security, and operational planning. If selected for promotion, you may command an RAF Police Squadron or Force Protection Wing, commanding large numbers of personnel based at multiple locations around the UK.

As an RAF Police Officer, you are not only responsible for policing; your main role is to provide security – of assets, people and information. You also protect classified data – computer security, in particular, is a rapidly expanding and challenging field and deal with any offences involving policemen or officers. This is a demanding role which requires the highest levels of personal integrity combined with the ability to assess and act on complex information as a security / policing specialist and as a leader.

You will lead a team of RAF Police and security personnel, including soldiers of the Military Provost Guard Service and will routinely provide senior officers with security risk management and law enforcement advice. Although this may sound daunting, your training will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to do the job.

You will be expected to deploy on operations overseas, leading RAF Police personnel in a range of challenging operational environments.

As with officers in most other branches, RAF Police Officers change jobs every few years. As your career develops, you will have the opportunity to engage in specialist areas such as investigation of serious crime, cybersecurity/information assurance, counterintelligence, protective security, and operational planning. If selected for promotion, you may command an RAF Police Squadron or Force Protection Wing, commanding large numbers of personnel based at multiple locations around the UK.

WHY JOIN THE RAF?

Thanks to subsidised food, travel, accommodation and free gym you get more money in your pocket.

Salary
Benefits Salary
Civilian Role
RAF Role
  • Rent from £75p/m
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Health care
  • World travel
  • 6 weeks holiday

See All Benefits

WHY JOIN THE RESERVES?

The skills you acquire as a Reserve won’t just prepare you for the RAF, they will enhance your work and civilian life.

You might be called up to assist with our operations worldwide for up to six months, during which you may be able to claim a pay award to cover your and your employer’s costs.

  • Training
  • Free gym
  • Subsidised food
  • Paid pension
  • Paid holiday

See All Benefits

TRAINING AND CAREER

INITIAL OFFICER TRAINING

Like all RAF officers, you will begin your RAF career with Initial Officer Training (IOT) at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. You will complete a challenging modular 24-week course, split into 4 distinct terms designed to develop your robustness, fitness, leadership and academic skills through a number of indoor and outdoor exercises across the UK.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

After IOT, you will complete the 20-week RAF Police Officers’ Course (RAFPOC) at the Defence School of Policing and Guarding, MOD Southwick Park near Portsmouth. The RAFPOC will continue to build your leadership and management skills whilst covering aspects of criminal law, investigations and security (incorporating counter intelligence and security risk management). All this will prepare you to fulfil the wide variety of operational roles conducted by the RAF Police. With specialist training completed, you will be ready to undertake your first tour.

More Details +

FOUNDATION TOUR

For your first tour, you are likely to be posted to a RAF unit where you will be responsible for the security of RAF assets and the policing of Service personnel. Although you will lead a team of RAF Police and security personnel from the outset, you will be supervised and supported by a RAF Police Squadron Commander.

YOUR CAREER PROSPECTS

You will join the RAF on an Initial Commission of 12 years and may be selected to serve on a pension earning commission of 20 years’ service or age 40, whichever is the later, during this time. Promotion to the rank of Flight Lieutenant is on a time served/satisfactory service basis after 3½ years from completing IOT. Further promotion to Squadron Leader and above is by competitive selection.

ONGOING DEVELOPMENT

RAF Police Officers can expect to be employed on a wide range of operational and staff duties and may be selected to undertake further training in fields such as the investigation of serious crime, counter intelligence, cyber security and information assurance. As a RAF Police Officer, you will develop skills and gain experience similar to those of a senior civilian police officer, corporate security risk manager or information systems security manager. There will be the opportunity to attain professional qualifications that are recognised by the Home Office, Security Industry, civilian agencies and employers.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

RAF Police Officers who have left the RAF have found jobs in the fields of emergency planning, security risk management and management consultancy as well as counter intelligence, cyber security and information assurance.

TRAINING AND CAREER

TRAINING YOU'LL RECEIVE

After basic training, you’ll go on to Reserve Officer Initial Training during your second year. This combines distance learning with residential weekends at the prestigious RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. It also includes a two-week residential phase at Cranwell where Reserves mix with Regular Officers on their initial training. During this period you will gain the skills and knowledge to command and lead in military roles and beyond.

 

Commitment and location

You will have to commit to 27 days per year.


Each year includes a 15-day block for general RAF training, and 12 separate days for extra training or exercises.

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship.

Be aged between 17.5 and 47 years of age (Must attest before 48th birthday).

ALL APPLICANTS MUST:

You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship.

Be aged 18-54. Applicants must apply no later than age 54 and 9 months in order to attest before 55th birthday. Ex-Regulars and specialist entrants may be considered on a case by case basis.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
English Language C Grade 4 Grade 5
Mathematics C Grade 4 Grade 5
Three other subjects C Grade 4 Grade 5

In addition, you need at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking) which must total a minimum of 64 UCAS points.

Alternatively, if you hold a UK degree at Grade 2:2 or higher (or acceptable alternative) you only need Mathematics and English Language GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4-5) or Mathematics and English Language SCE Standard Grades of 2 or SNE Grade 5 (A-C).

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Nationality:
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship.

Residency:
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 10 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 7 years will be considered.

Your parents/spouse must currently have UK citizenship.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:

  • 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

The second fitness test will take place at RAF Cranwell as part of your familiarisation visit. This consists of the following:

  • Achieving the required score on the Multi-Stage Fitness Test (MSFT or Bleep test)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

How fit you need to be to pass these tests can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 9.03 20 35
17-29 11.11 9.10 20 35
30-34 11.36 9.04 19 32
35-39 12 8.09 18 29
40-44 12.26 8.03 17 26
45-47 12.54 7.07 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Multi-Stage Fitness Test Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (Score) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 6.07 10 32
17-29 13.23 7.02 10 32
30-34 13.47 6.08 9 29
35-39 14.13 6.04 8 26
40-44 14.48 5.08 7 23
45-47 15.19 5.04 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRTC/Fam Visit Protocols

You can download an MP3 file of the Multi-Stage Fitness Test below, listen to the introduction file first:

RAF MSFT: Intro

RAF MSFT: Bleep Test

You can see a video demonstration of the PRTC Fitness Test here:

RAF Fam Visit Fitness Test

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are a member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy: A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm). The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Have these minimum grades:

  GCSE GCSE 2017 SNE
English Language C Grade 4 Grade 5
Mathematics C Grade 4 Grade 5
Three other subjects C Grade 4 Grade 5

In addition, you need at least 2 A2 Levels/3 Highers at Grade C or above (excluding General Studies or Critical Thinking) which must total a minimum of 64 UCAS points.

Alternatively, if you hold a UK degree at Grade 2:2 or higher (or acceptable alternative) you only need Mathematics and English Language GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C (Grade 4-5) or Mathematics and English Language SCE Standard Grades of 2 or SNE Grade 5 (A-C).

You can see what the RAF accepts in lieu of GCSEs & A Levels here.

NATIONALITY & RESIDENCY

Nationality:
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom since birth and must not hold (and must never have held) any nationality or citizenship (including joint nationality) other than British, British Overseas Territory or dual British Irish citizenship.

Residency:
Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have resided there for the 10 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 7 years will be considered.

Your parents/spouse must currently have UK citizenship.

FITNESS REQUIREMENTS

You must be physically fit to complete both initial and specialist training, and to do your role effectively. To check your fitness levels, we put every candidate through at least two separate fitness tests as part of the application process.

The first of these is the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (PJFT) which takes place at a fitness centre local to you. This consists of the following:

  • 2.4km (1.5m) run on a treadmill (set to zero incline)
  • Achieve the required number of press-ups - within 60 seconds
  • Achieve the required number of sit-ups - within 60 seconds

How fit you need to be to pass the test can vary depending on role, age and gender. The requirements are listed on the charts below (Male and Female).

MALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (No.) (No.)
15-16 11.39 20 35
17-29 11.11 20 35
30-34 11.36 19 32
35-39 12 18 29
40-44 12.26 17 26
45-47 12.54 16 23

 

FEMALES - 100% pass rates:
AGE 2.4 Km Run Press-ups Sit-ups
  (Mins) (No.) (No.)
15-16 13.54 10 32
17-29 13.23 10 32
30-34 13.47 9 29
35-39 14.13 8 26
40-44 14.48 7 23
45-47 15.19 6 20

You can see the protocols for Press Ups & Sit Ups here:

PJFT/PRTC Protocols

A 12-week fitness plan with detailed information to help you get ready for all of the fitness tests can be downloaded here.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

BEFORE YOUR APPLICATION:

There are health requirements that must be met by all applicants:

  • Body Mass Index requirements:
Age Male and female minimum Male and female maximum Male maximum with additional assessment Female maximum with additional assessment
18 + 18 28 32 30
16 to < 18 17 27 27 27
  • Eyesight requirements vary for different roles. A requirement to wear glasses or contact lenses may be allowed for aircrew.

Get in touch if you have any questions about the health criteria, or would like to find out if any additional health requirements apply to your role of interest.

DURING YOUR APPLICATION:

The Medical Risk Assessment that all candidates undergo is there to make sure that you are healthy enough for the intense training required by the RAF. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. Your medical history is confidential and is not disclosed to those not authorised to hold this information.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

YOU MUST:

  • Declare any previous spent and unspent convictions
  • Check if you qualify under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 through this summary
  • Have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

YOU CAN'T APPLY FOR THE RAF IF YOU:

  • Have been or are member of a group that stirs up racial hatred and violence
  • Are waiting to appear in court, or have unspent convictions. You may also have to declare spent convictions for certain roles
  • Misuse drugs, solvents and anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits
  • Have tattoos, brands or bead implants that are obscene or offensive. 
    Any permanent or temporary tattoos, whether ordinarily visible or not, must not be obscene or offensive (eg, racist, anti-religion or belief, crude, overtly sexist, homophobic, drug related or of an extreme political nature). Tattoos may be worn on the side and back of the neck but tattoos on the back of the neck must not extend above the natural hairline (scalp tattoos are not permitted). In addition, tattoos must not be visible below the sleeve cuff while wearing uniform, although a single finger (not thumb) tattoo that could be covered by a ring may be permitted
  • Have body piercing which causes holes that do not close up
  • Declare yourself to be an 'undischarged' bankrupt

Beard Policy: A revised facial hair policy has been agreed by the Air Force Board which will allow serving personnel to wear a smart, neatly-trimmed, full-set beard whilst maintaining high standards of appearance. The length of acceptable beards is between Grade 1 (2.5mm) and Grade 8 (25.5mm). The wearing of beards during Phase 1 and Phase 2 training is currently under consideration and details will be advised when available

If you don’t have any of the above, you might still be able to apply. For more information contact your local AFCO.

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Regular

GOT WHAT IT TAKES?

Apply here and receive an email that invites you to your full online application.

Apply as a Reserve

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