No formal qualifications are required to join the MDP. However, as part of our selection process you will be required to undertake both literacy and numeracy tests.
We escort most vessels, including nuclear submarines, into and out of HM dockyards.
You must be aged 18 or over to apply to join the MDP.
As a police officer you will be required to handle a variety of situations involving physically challenging tasks. Because of this, every candidate will be required to pass a job-related physical test. Advice on how you can prepare for it, is provided further on in this site.
Our selection process involves several stages, which are designed to ensure you have what it takes to undergo the challenges of training and ultimately policing. From making an initial enquiry to the time of your appointment usually takes around 6-8 months.
Having a previous conviction, or convictions, is not an automatic bar to joining the MDP; however, you must disclose all convictions when completing the application form. We will judge each case on its merits.
All new recruits are required to complete a 2-year probationary period (most likely located at Aldermaston in Reading Berkshire).
Yes. As part of your training you must undertake and pass the MDP's firearms training course. Once appointed you must be prepared to carry a firearm when required - at any one time, three quarters of MDP officers on duty will be carrying firearms.
The entry standard for the Ministry of Defence Police is based upon the existing Home Office standards and also includes those relevant to Armed Firearms Officers (AFO). Within the application pack is a document entitled 'Medical Conditions - General Information', you are advised to read this document. The minimum physical standard and body mass index for recruitment to this Force is 29 or less. Should you have any questions concerning the medical standards please feel free to contact the Occupational Health Department on 01371 854868.
The MDPGA accepts candidates who wear spectacles or contact lenses provided the standard of unaided vision is not less than 6/18 in each eye and is correctable to the standard of distant vision: Binocularly 6/6. Your near vision should be N6 at 40cm with both eyes, with or without glasses.
You must be able to distinguish the principal colours. The use of corrective lenses is not acceptable. Severe colour vision deficiencies (monochromat/dichromats) are not acceptable. Anomalous trichromats are acceptable.
Radial/Acurate Keratotomy and corneal grafts are not acceptable. Other forms of refractive (LASER) surgery are acceptable provided that: six months have elapsed since surgery, there are no residual side effects and the other eyesight standards are met.