British Army - Non Home Office Police Officer - Full Time Career with Apprenticeship

British Army

Recruiting nationally

Closes on Saturday 30 August 2025

Posted on 12 May 2025

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Contents

Summary

The Level 4 Non Home Office Police Officer apprenticeship, offered by the British Army, offers a pathway to a policing career within the Royal Military Police. Deploy on operations and work worldwide, gaining a Level 3 Diploma in Defence Knowledge of Policing and Home Office approved policing qualifications.

Wage

£25,200 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Non home office police officer (level 4)
Hours
Shifts and working patterns may vary. Working locations will vary nationally depending on the apprenticeship and working requirements.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 1 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

90

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

When you join the Royal Military Police (RMP), you'll also be a soldier, which means you get to travel worldwide, get great qualifications and have a varied and interesting job.

Policing is a very important job in the Armed Forces. The Royal Military Police (RMP) uphold law within the Army, in the UK and abroad. As a member of the Army's policing team you'll get to travel the world and support operations. It all starts with first-class training – first as a soldier and then in policing. When you finish, you'll be promoted to Lance Corporal. You'll know how to gather evidence and look after detainees. What's more, you can take specialist courses and qualifications. These are recognised by the civilian police. That means a great CV and an exciting future.

Where you'll work

Depending on your chosen regiment/corps and age at the time of enlistment, you will undertake Phase 1 training at AFC Harrogate (16-17 year olds), ATR Pirbright, ATR Winchester or ITC Catterick (for adult recruits). ITC Catterick is also where Infantry soldiers complete both Phase 1 and 2. On completion of your training, you will be assigned to where the Army requires you to be, but wherever that is you will receive 'on the job' training towards the completion of your chosen Apprenticeship.

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

BRITISH ARMY

Your training course

Non home office police officer (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Demonstrate effective communication in accordance with the varied needs of differing situations, individuals, groups and communities. Use own communication skills to manage planned and uncertain situations, and to persuade/lead others as needed.
  • Gather, handle and accurately assess information and intelligence from appropriate sources to support law enforcement and to maximise policing effectiveness.
  • Analyse all available information to make threat assessments and manage conflict situations in policing through leadership, and deal with a wide range of behaviours and incidents, taking personal accountability for the use of proportionate and justifiable responses and actions.
  • Analyse all available information to be able to assess the risks and threats posed by the situation to allow for the best possible outcome. In doing so use the national decision making model or equivalent to influence the thought process behind decisions and activity.
  • Demonstrate proficient use of authorised equipment, this may include but is not restricted to communications and personnel protection assets.
  • Demonstrate the correct use of health and safety procedures and demonstrate an understanding of individual responsibility.
  • Demonstrate appropriate use of statutory powers and policy to manage suspects, victims and witnesses across various challenging situations, conducting all actions in a balanced, proportionate and justifiable manner. This may include but is not restricted to arrest and search.
  • Identify the appropriate situation to use authorised equipment, including communications and personnel protection assets and able to effect user maintenance or apply the procedures for the management of damaged or inoperable equipment.
  • Take measures to ensure that security, integrity and confidentiality of information is maintained, using appropriate policy and legislation concerned with the management of information.
  • Generate written submissions and reports. This will include the management and storage of such items and their disclosure when appropriate.
  • Provide an initial and ongoing response to incidents, which can be complex, confrontational and life- threatening, to bring about the best possible outcomes.
  • Provide an initial response to crime scenes, where encountered, that require the management and preservation of evidence and or exhibits.
  • Identify those individuals who are considered vulnerable and manage them in accordance with policy and legislation.
  • Provide support for victims and witnesses, inclusive of those who are deemed to be vulnerable, at policing incidents. This includes giving advice to identify and access sources of additional support (or accessing sources on behalf of individuals) and post-incident help, and where appropriate, delivering any necessary follow-up assistance.
  • Apply and promote the codes of ethics and values and standards in the delivery of all aspect of their duties.
  • Demonstrate working alongside partner organisations or as part of a multi-disciplinary team to improve, mitigate and solve community problems, issues or concerns. This my include, but is not restricted the provision of Crime Reduction advice.
  • Engage in community activity. This for example could include schools or community groups and maybe collaborative activity with other stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies.
  • Preserve and manage crime scenes whilst also developing forensic strategies to exploit evidential opportunities from available material.
  • Recover, manage and, where appropriate, dispose of evidence in accordance with policy and in line with statutory obligations.
  • Be able to issue firearms in accordance with national procedures.
  • Recognise when an AFO is deployed.
  • Demonstrate loading, make ready and unloading a police firearm in accordance with procedures.
  • Be able to identify the characteristics and capabilities of firearms, ammunition, ballistics, protection.
  • Demonstrate the different carriages of a police firearm.
  • Deploy operationally as an AFO in accordance with set procedures and authorities.
  • Carry out post deployment procedures.
  • Identify the key benefits and considerations of post deployment procedures following the deployment of AFOs.
  • Be able to recognise the criteria for post incident investigation and the difference between a mandatory and voluntary referral.
  • Describe the roles/responsibilities specific to the post incident process.
  • Summarise the immediate post incident command considerations. (LO 7).
  • Recognise who are key police witnesses.
  • Review own performance objectively and take steps to maintain and enhance competence and professional standards appropriate to the role.
  • Demonstrate competence in a range of tactical options commensurate with the AFO role.
  • Be able to apply procedures and legislation in relation to shooting a police firearm and in line with policy and guidance.
  • Demonstrate competence with a range of weapons and tactical equipment appropriate to the role.
  • Demonstrate appropriate handling of a police firearm.
  • Demonstrate accuracy in shooting a police firearm.
  • Demonstrate the appropriate action to deal with a weapon malfunction.
  • Shoot the weapon accurately from the standing, kneeling and prone position if appropriate to the weapon.
  • Shoot accurately having moved dynamically between different shooting positions.
  • Shoot accurately at close range.
  • Shoot accurately using cover.
  • Shoot the firearm to the required national minimum standard of accuracy.
  • Shoot accurately whilst on approach and withdrawal.
  • Demonstrate the correct reload drill.
  • Demonstrate competence in a range of tactical options commensurate with their AFO role.
  • Be able to work effectively in a team to achieve shared objectives, demonstrating awareness of individual differences and providing support as required.
  • Respond to conflict situations using a range of tactical options, assessing the threat to determine a proportionate response in line with legislation, policy and guidance.
  • Assess the immediacy and proximity of threat in order to make operational decisions for the protection of life.
  • Apply nationally recognised techniques associated with containment in a firearms situation.
  • Demonstrate a physical overt or discreet containment.
  • Be able to carry out a dynamic risk assessment in a firearms situation.
  • Apply the National Decision Model to manage the response to a situation in a reasonable and proportionate way.
  • Demonstrate good and effective communication skills with the ability to listen to others
  • Be able to act with discretion and emotional intelligence to manage conflict and defuse difficult situations.
  • Perform Overt Interception in a police firearms situation.
  • Perform a Challenge from Cover in a police firearms situation.
  • Demonstrate safely approaching a stationary vehicle making best use of cover.
  • Demonstrate safely approaching a vehicle making best use of cover as part of a team.
  • Use appropriate portable ballistic protection.
  • Be able to plan a simple approach to a building.
  • Plan and participate in a limited entry, as part of a team.
  • Consider contingencies when conducting a limited entry.
  • Perform the role of shield officer, cover officer and support officer when conducting a limited entry as part of a team.
  • Demonstrate the correct non-verbal tactical communication (NVTC) as required.
  • Perform the roles of number one, two, support and front cover during an emergency search.
  • Demonstrate the different form up configurations correctly when conducting an emergency search.
  • Perform emergency search with varying officer numbers.
  • Demonstrate correct initial setup on a closed inward/outward opening and open door.
  • Demonstrate correct positioning within the team prior to entry.
  • Understand own role within the context of the wider police operation to support the achievement of operational strategies and priorities for action.
  • Competent in a range of tactical options commensurate with own AFO role.
  • Perform searches in the open as part of a pair.
  • Perform searches in the open as part of a larger team.
  • Perform open country searches in context with role.
  • Perform cover and movement as a pair.
  • Perform cover and movement as part of a team.
  • Gather and handle information and intelligence from a variety of sources, to assess threat in line with legislation, policies and guidance to take the appropriate action.
  • Demonstrate competence in the use of Taser.
  • Demonstrate competence in the use of the Launcher
  • Provide medical aid commensurate with training as required to preserve life.
  • Demonstrate competence in the provision of ballistic first aid.
  • Use the appropriate policy, legislative requirements and statutory powers when conducting investigation in to criminal and non-criminal matters.
  • Provide support to vulnerable people and assess their needs for further support, including providing advice on accessing that support.
  • Demonstrate the use electronic equipment, applications and systems used in a policing and investigational context.
  • Demonstrate effective communication in accordance with the varied needs of differing situations, individuals, groups and communities. Use own communication skills to manage planned and uncertain situations, and to persuade/lead others as needed.
  • Gather, handle and accurately assess information and intelligence from appropriate sources to support law enforcement and to maximise policing effectiveness.
  • Analyse all available information to make threat assessments and manage conflict situations in policing through leadership, and deal with a wide range of behaviours and incidents, taking personal accountability for the use of proportionate and justifiable responses and actions.
  • Analyse all available information to be able to assess the risks and threats posed by the situation to allow for the best possible outcome. In doing so use the national decision making model or equivalent to influence the thought process behind decisions and activity.
  • Demonstrate proficient use of authorised equipment, this may include but is not restricted to communications and personnel protection assets.
  • Demonstrate the correct use of health and safety procedures and demonstrate an understanding of individual responsibility.
  • Demonstrate appropriate use of statutory powers and policy to manage suspects, victims and witnesses across various challenging situations, conducting all actions in a balanced, proportionate and justifiable manner. This may include but is not restricted to arrest and search.
  • Identify the appropriate situation to use authorised equipment, including communications and personnel protection assets and able to effect user maintenance or apply the procedures for the management of damaged or inoperable equipment.
  • Take measures to ensure that security, integrity and confidentiality of information is maintained, using appropriate policy and legislation concerned with the management of information.
  • Generate written submissions and reports. This will include the management and storage of such items and their disclosure when appropriate.
  • Provide an initial and ongoing response to incidents, which can be complex, confrontational and life- threatening, to bring about the best possible outcomes.
  • Provide an initial response to crime scenes, where encountered, that require the management and preservation of evidence and or exhibits.
  • Identify those individuals who are considered vulnerable and manage them in accordance with policy and legislation.
  • Provide support for victims and witnesses, inclusive of those who are deemed to be vulnerable, at policing incidents. This includes giving advice to identify and access sources of additional support (or accessing sources on behalf of individuals) and post-incident help, and where appropriate, delivering any necessary follow-up assistance.
  • Apply and promote the codes of ethics and values and standards in the delivery of all aspect of their duties.
  • Demonstrate working alongside partner organisations or as part of a multi-disciplinary team to improve, mitigate and solve community problems, issues or concerns. This my include, but is not restricted the provision of Crime Reduction advice.
  • Engage in community activity. This for example could include schools or community groups and maybe collaborative activity with other stakeholders such as law enforcement agencies.
  • Preserve and manage crime scenes whilst also developing forensic strategies to exploit evidential opportunities from available material.
  • Recover, manage and, where appropriate, dispose of evidence in accordance with policy and in line with statutory obligations.

Your training plan

Step 1

  • Your initial military training teaches you how to be a soldier, covering everything from fieldcraft to how to handle a rifle
  • If you join as a Junior Soldier (under 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the basic military training (short) course at Harrogate
  • If you join as a Regular Soldier (over 17 years and 6 months), you’ll do the regular adult basic training

Step 2

You take the Initial Police and Driver Training course at the Defence School of Policing and Guarding. This lasts 24 weeks. You learn about police duties, investigations, handling evidence, military law and other areas of policing. Then it’s time for your first posting as an RMP Lance Corporal. Later, you can take further qualifications and training such as the Close Protection course. You could even join the Special Investigations Branch. It all makes for a great CV that can take you far, inside or outside the Army.

Qualifications you could get after training:

  • Level 3 diploma in Defence Knowledge of Policing
  • Home Office-approved policing qualifications

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience

About this company

Protecting the nation and its dependent territories will always be the British Army's first role. Highly trained soldiers are ready to deploy anywhere at any time to meet a variety of challenges, ranging from support to the Police following a terrorist attack, to specialist capabilities such as bomb disposal and intelligence experts, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, we are always ready to serve. You belong here.

https://www.army.mod.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

The Army offers job security, career growth, adventure and world-class training. Benefits include competitive pay, travel, fitness, leadership skills, a pension, free healthcare, cheaper housing and 30 days' paid leave a year, plus public holidays.

After this apprenticeship

  • The apprenticeship is a gateway to a full-time career in the British Army
  • Promotion, along with increased salary and responsibility, is dependent on successful completion of the apprenticeship and then on merit by competitive selection
  • As you advance through the ranks, you will have the increased opportunity to lead and direct people, managing resources and workforce within your area of work to deliver the required outputs whilst maintaining and instilling the highest values and standards expected of the British Army

You belong here.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BRITISH ARMY

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000319954.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 30 August 2025

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

At this link you can find more information about the roles offered by the British Army. We have positions available for all roles throughout the year and you can ignore the application open/closing dates shown against this apprenticeship advertisement. Once you have completed an application you will be invited to complete an aptitude assessment, selection interview, health assessment and a fitness test. More details of the requirement can be found at the application link.