W5 - Police & Armed Services

The police service in the United Kingdom is made up of over forty separate local services.  Their responsibility is to enforce the law, prevent and detect crime, preserve the peace, and bring offenders to trial. 

The naval service (including the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service) provides the United Kingdom with a professional sea defence force. 

The army defends the UK and its allies, mainly on land. 

The Royal Air Force patrols and defends UK airspace.  All three services have an important role in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) operations, and in peacekeeping activities throughout the world. 

Although the duties of police constables are varied, specialisation in possible in traffic, criminal investigation, dog handling, mounted police, river police, underwater search and scenes of crimes.  Graduates are accepted as constables, then apply for the Accelerated Promotion Scheme for Graduates. 

Royal Navy officers lead and manage teams of non-commissioned personnel, having responsibility for their welfare, discipline and career development.

Navy ratings use their technical skills in ships, submarines and shore based establishments in one of six branches: warfare, engineering, supply, medical, fleet air arm, and submarines. 

Army officers lead and manage teams of trained soldiers, including looking after their welfare, discipline and career development. 

Noncommissioned officers and privates are trained for fighting, and in a range specific skills similar to those in civilian life. 

Royal Air Force officers lead and manage teams of non-commissioned personnel, having responsibility for their welfare, discipline and career development. 

Airmen / Airwomen are employed in the air as aircrew, or on the ground in a range of activities similar to those in civilian life.  

For further information please see:

Police Service Northern Ireland  

The Consnsia Partnership   PO Box 268   Belfast   BT1 5PH
Fax: 028 9024 2515     Email: apply@selectpolice.org
Website: http://www.psni.police.uk/index/careers.htm

Army

www.army.mod.uk - Choose careers
Royal Navy: www.royal-navy.mod.uk - Choose careers  
Royal Air Force: careers website: www.rafcareers.com  

General information on Northern Ireland based careers can be found on www.careersserviceni.com - Choose explore careers. 

Courses in areas relevant to the police and armed services are available at a number of higher education institutions.  Please see the UCAS site www.ucas.ac.uk for more information - Choose students then courses.