If you would like to be a police officer for your next career move, you will first need to get a police application form, so that the force will be able to see whether you are a suitable candidate to go on for further training. The reason they have to do this is to eliminate those they do not feel would be suitable so can therefore save money and time by weeding out those who they feel would not be able to fulfill the role.
You have a choice of how you wish to obtain the application form and you may be asked a few questions before it is sent out if you do so by phone or in person. You will find that most areas will have a form that you will be able to download online, however if they need further information you will have to send this back separately or print out the form enclosed with the extra information if required.
You will have to give them the same information that you would, should you fill in any kind of job application only there will be more that they ask regarding your background as well as any trouble you may have been in with the police beforehand no matter the amount of time that has passed since then.
Some areas may ask that you give your fingerprints also, but this is not very often, it may be if they are finding it hard to verify your identity or if you have changed your name.
If you have been in trouble wit the police in the past this does not automatically mean that you will not be allowed to serve with the police force, but the time that has passed since this trouble will play a big factor in this as will the nature of the crime that you were in trouble for, and it will have to be proven that you have changed since then. You should be honest though, as your background will be looked into and if it is proven that you have not been honest then you will find that your application is rejected.
Identification is also important and as you can imagine falsely identifying yourself could put many people at risk, which is why it is asked that your identity is proved by way of a passport and driving license, as well as if you were not born originally in the country you wish to apply to work in then you will have to prove that you are legally allowed to live and work there.
When the application is completed and sent off, it is then a case of having to wait to see if you have been accepted to continue, and if this is the case your next step will be training, although before this begins you may need a medical to ensure you are healthy enough to be an officer, and to partake in any physical activity this entails.