On the beat

What happens next?

Please note: the high potential development scheme will not be accepting any new applications until later in the year.

The high potential development scheme is currently being revised by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA). The revised scheme will launch in April 2008.

If you would like any further information, please contact the Police Leadership Services team at the NPIA on 020 7021 7070.

You've decided you want to give the police high potential development scheme a try, so what happens after you apply?

If you pass the police recruitment assessment and achieve the pass mark required for entry into the high potential development (HPD) scheme, you will be invited to attend the HPD assessment centre. If you are not invited at that point, you will have other opportunities to apply for the scheme after you have joined the police.

If you are already a serving officer and would like to apply, speak to your force for more information about what you need to do to qualify. You can also visit the Home Office police website for more information

The assessment process

The process is designed to determine whether you have what it takes to succeed as a leader in the police force. You don't need any policing knowledge and you'll be given plenty of guidance.

You will have to sit a number of additional written tests, take part in interactive exercises and undergo an interview. All of these will seek to ascertain your:

  • problem solving skills
  • planning and organisational skills
  • communications skills
  • strategic perspective
  • openness to change
  • community and customer focus
  • respect for race and diversity

If you pass the assessment

If you make it through the HPD assessment, you'll be welcomed as a new scheme member. This is when you'll begin to meet other new HPD members and managers. Your own regional manager will be in touch to arrange to meet you and your line manager to discuss your development.

Another chance to prove yourself

The HPD selection process is tough, but if you do not pass first time, you can apply again. You can re-apply up to 12 months from the date of your initial rejection. You will be given plenty of feedback to help you decide if you want to apply again and where you went wrong first time round.