Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether all applicants to police forces in England undergo (1) psychological, and (2) behavioural, assessment as part of the recruitment process; and if not, why not.

The standards, assessment and selection framework for police recruitment are managed by the College of Policing. Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners are responsible for local recruitment into forces and are supported by this national framework and guidance. All forces are currently using the College Online Assessment Centre as part of the recruitment process which has been designed to maintain the same high standards as set by the College of Policing. Candidates are required to pass each stage of the recruitment process and this includes the assessment centre, vetting, medical assessment and fitness.

All new recruits are subject to a rigorous vetting and assessment process to assess suitability for the role of police officer, including testing against core behaviours and values. This does not currently include psychological assessment as standard and it would be for the College of Policing to assess if additional elements of assessment are required. Following national assessment, some forces may choose to run additional assessments locally to further refine the field of candidates.