Police officers (sergeant and below)

£47,450

Average salary

Average annual salary UK 2020 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

40 hours

Average weekly hours

Average weekly hours UK 2019 | Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings

1.24%

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate UK 2020 | Labour Force Survey

Definition: Police officers (sergeant and below)

*SOC Code (Standard Occupational Classification): 3312

Police officers (Sergeant and below) co-ordinate and undertake the investigation of crimes, patrol public areas, arrest offenders and suspects and enforce law and order. Officers of the British Transport Police operate within the specialised police service for the railway network across Britain.

Common tasks include:

receives instructions from senior officers and patrols an assigned area on foot, horseback, motorcycle, motor car or boat to check security and enforce regulations;
directs and controls traffic or crowds at demonstrations and large public events;
investigates complaints, crimes, accidents, any suspicious activities or other incidents;
interviews suspects, takes statements from witnesses and stops, searches and/or arrests suspects;
attends accidents;
prepares briefs or reports for senior officers;
works on station reception desk and or in communications room;
gives evidence in court cases.

Qualifications

There are no academic requirements for entry to the civilian (Home Office) police although eligibility criteria vary across individual police forces. Entrants must sit an entry test and pass a medical examination. All police officers undergo a two year probationary training period. Residency, nationality and age restrictions apply, and background security checks are carried out in respect of entrants.

*Introduced in 1990, SOC is a multi-purpose common classification of occupations in UK. Jobs are defined in terms of skill level and skill content, including qualifications, training and work experience.

Employment status: Police officers (sergeant and below)

Regional employment: Police officers (sergeant and below)

Future employment: Police officers (sergeant and below)

Top 12 industries: Police officers (sergeant and below)

Alternative & related job titles: Police officers (sergeant and below)

Officer, police Constable (government) Officer (police service) Officer, uniformed (police service) Constable (police service) PC Officer, neighbourhood (police service) Detective (docks) Manager, beat, community Detective (railways) Officer, traffic (police service) Sergeant, police Policeman MP (armed forces) Officer, police, transport Detective (police service) Armourer, force Sergeant Detective (government) Sergeant, detective WPC Detective (airport) Constable Constable (MOD) Officer, warrant (police service) Officer, fingerprint Constable, police Cadet

Equality focus: Police officers (sergeant and below)

Breaking down the official government big data sources by gender, age and region. Hours and pay data based on full time equlivalent roles.