Being a CNC officer is about more than simple policing. Not every shift will be eventful. But each one is of national importance.
That’s why we provide our officers with a competitive salary, excellent benefits and world-class training. Our Authorised Firearms Officers are trained to exceptional standards, and there is the opportunity to join one of our specialist teams
Police Officers
Our training is world-class.
Discover how we’ll make you exceptional.
As a CNC Authorised Firearms Officer (AFO), based in England, you’ll be enrolled onto the Level Four Non Home Office Police Officer Apprenticeship, delivered by the CNC. This is a two year apprenticeship; the first 19 weeks will be a residential Initial Foundation Programme (IFP) which will include our highly regarded firearms training. You’ll learn everything you need to know about legislation, powers, policies, and procedures to enable you to become an AFO.
At the end of the IFP you will be posted to your nominated location and, in the remaining 20 months as an operational Authorised Firearms Officer, you’ll complete a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate your policing ability. Towards the end of your apprenticeship you will take and pass an End Point Assessment, comprising a practical scenario, exam, and professional discussion. Upon successful completion, you’ll be confirmed in rank as a police constable.
Students recruited to one of our Scottish locations undertake the same world class training but are not enrolled onto the Apprenticeship at this time.
Training is provided by our Corporate Learning and Development and Firearms Training teams, and takes place across our delivery centres in Oxfordshire and Cumbria. All accommodation, travel, food and refreshments are provided by us, enabling you to focus on your learning.
Led by nationally qualified instructors, you will be trained to the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum. The policing skills element of our training is unique; we teach and assess your observation and communication skills, ability to problem solve and deal with conflict in stressful situations. On completion of the IFP, you will have the knowledge, skills and behaviours to be an effective counter terrorist police firearms officer, ready to be deployed to your operational policing unit.
Throughout the training, you will undertake various forms of learning and assessment. There is plenty of variation, with classroom, practical, and computer-based learning. All student officers will be equipped with a Microsoft Surface Pro device to access course material and submit work. We understand that everyone learns in their own way, and we will work to ensure all students are comfortable and ready to achieve their best. Our training teams include qualified Dyslexia Assessors and Mental Health First Aiders. For further information, visit our YouTube channel.
Although this is a residential course, you’ll have the opportunity to travel home to spend important time with family and friends. We will even pay for eight return journeys in hire cars during the course. We appreciate and value the support networks you have at home. When you join the CNC, we welcome you and your family.
The role of an CNC Authorised Firearms Officer is critical to the UK’s national security infrastructure and therefore we constantly review behavioural conduct on the 19-week residential training course, as well as pass / fail assessments.
The IFP is only the beginning of your learning and development journey with the CNC. You will continuously train and continue to develop throughout your entire career.
Our highly trained specialists will help you maintain the required level of fitness and standards needed as an Authorised Firearms Officer. There is also dedicated time allocated within your working hours to maintain your fitness levels.
Values & Code of Ethics
The aim of the Code of Ethics produced by the College of Policing is to support each member of the policing profession.
Benefits
-
National Winsor Pay Scale
Rank Winsor pay point 2023/24 salary Probationer PC/IFC 0 £28,551 1 Constable 2 £29,751 3 £30,957 4 £32,163 5 £34,575 - - 6 £39,432 - 7 £46,044 -
- All our officers are automatically opted into the CNC pension scheme
- The pension scheme is based on a fixed employee contribution, and you’ll receive a generous contribution from CNC
- The scheme also includes provision for life assurance and ill-health support.
-
- We are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all our officers.
- We have an in-house Occupational Health Department, which includes doctors, nurses, a psychologist and technicians who offer comprehensive annual medicals for safety critical posts, health checks for all officers as well as bespoke case management support.
- We have bespoke wellbeing and fitness provisions, including gyms and fitness instructors at all sites; dyslexia workplace assessors; Mental Health First Aiders; EAP service and fast-track physiotherapy.
- Enhanced family friendly policies.
- Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.
- Access to gym facilities during shift.
-
- Standard working hours are normally a 4 day or night 12-hour shift pattern for our officers (4 days/nights on and 4 days/nights off). This shift pattern is considered one of the most desirable in the policing world and offers an excellent work/life balance.
- As a CNC officer, you will also have dedicated time allocated within your working hours to train and maintain your fitness levels.
-
- Learning and Development starts from the moment you join the CNC. We continuously invest in our Learning and Development to ensure our officers remain the best at what they do and are prepared for future roles.
- All our frontline police officers and sergeants carry firearms at the licenced sites we protect. As a result, we provide every new recruit with world-class firearms training. You’ll also get the support to maintain the fitness levels required to be a CNC officer.
- Regular Digital Learning and ongoing assessment throughout career.
- Opportunity to request training specific to your personal needs and career aspirations.
-
- When you join the CNC as a police officer, you are entitled to 22 days annual leave a year, rising to 25 days when you complete your two-year probation period.
- All police officers are eligible for eight public holidays. Normally, these are taken on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, August Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- If your shift falls on one of these dates, you will be expected to work. However, you can take another day as holiday. If any of these holidays aren’t related to your faith, you can also arrange with your line manager to take them on occasions that are more appropriate for you to celebrate on.
Please note that the organisation has the right to review these benefits at any time and they may be subject to change.
National Winsor Pay Scale
| Rank | Winsor pay point | 2023/24 salary |
| Probationer PC/IFC | 0 | £28,551 |
| 1 | ||
| Constable | 2 | £29,751 |
| 3 | £30,957 | |
| 4 | £32,163 | |
| 5 | £34,575 | |
| - | ||
| - | ||
| 6 | £39,432 | |
| - | ||
| 7 | £46,044 |
- All our officers are automatically opted into the CNC pension scheme
- The pension scheme is based on a fixed employee contribution, and you’ll receive a generous contribution from CNC
- The scheme also includes provision for life assurance and ill-health support.
- We are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all our officers.
- We have an in-house Occupational Health Department, which includes doctors, nurses, a psychologist and technicians who offer comprehensive annual medicals for safety critical posts, health checks for all officers as well as bespoke case management support.
- We have bespoke wellbeing and fitness provisions, including gyms and fitness instructors at all sites; dyslexia workplace assessors; Mental Health First Aiders; EAP service and fast-track physiotherapy.
- Enhanced family friendly policies.
- Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.
- Access to gym facilities during shift.
- Standard working hours are normally a 4 day or night 12-hour shift pattern for our officers (4 days/nights on and 4 days/nights off). This shift pattern is considered one of the most desirable in the policing world and offers an excellent work/life balance.
- As a CNC officer, you will also have dedicated time allocated within your working hours to train and maintain your fitness levels.
- Learning and Development starts from the moment you join the CNC. We continuously invest in our Learning and Development to ensure our officers remain the best at what they do and are prepared for future roles.
- All our frontline police officers and sergeants carry firearms at the licenced sites we protect. As a result, we provide every new recruit with world-class firearms training. You’ll also get the support to maintain the fitness levels required to be a CNC officer.
- Regular Digital Learning and ongoing assessment throughout career.
- Opportunity to request training specific to your personal needs and career aspirations.
- When you join the CNC as a police officer, you are entitled to 22 days annual leave a year, rising to 25 days when you complete your two-year probation period.
- All police officers are eligible for eight public holidays. Normally, these are taken on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Bank Holiday, Spring Bank Holiday, August Bank Holiday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- If your shift falls on one of these dates, you will be expected to work. However, you can take another day as holiday. If any of these holidays aren’t related to your faith, you can also arrange with your line manager to take them on occasions that are more appropriate for you to celebrate on.
Please note that the organisation has the right to review these benefits at any time and they may be subject to change.
Entry Requirements for Authorised Firearms Officers
-
To apply for CNC, you must be 18 years of age or over at the time of applying and 18 years and 6 months before commencing employment. There is no upper age limit.
-
In order to successfully apply to become a police officer in the CNC you must achieve both police and National Security Vetting. Failure to meet these requirements will result in your application being withdrawn.
To meet our vetting requirements there is an expectation that applicants would have been resident in the UK for a period of up to 10 years, depending on the vetting level required. If this is not the case it is does not preclude an application to the CNC, as every case will be assessed on its own merits. However, additional robust checks of value will need to be carried out to enable a vetting decision to be made. These additional checks will be dependent upon the county or countries of residence and could include:
- Obtaining a Police Certificate from the country/countries
- Full history of oversea travel and dates
- Checkable employment history, including references
- Certificate of good conduct/personal reference from person/persons of good standing
Please note that even after completion of these additional checks there is no guarantee vetting will be achieved and therefore employment with the CNC would not be possible.
If you think you do not meet our residency requirements or have concerns, please email the recruitment team in the first instance, jobs@cnc.police.uk
-
The public is entitled to a police service that recruits officers with proven integrity. So ideally, you won’t have a criminal record. However, some minor offences won’t exclude you from joining us. But it’s vital that, no matter how small the offence, you’re completely honest in your application. Our application and vetting forms also ask you to state any interaction you have had with the police, even as a witness or if you were spoken to in the street.
You’ll need to let us know all convictions, formal police cautions and any bind-overs imposed by any court. This should also include any traffic offences such as speeding, drink-driving and fixed penalties for motoring or disorder offences. You may have been advised that the offence imposed upon you was considered NFA (No Further Action). Please ensure you disclose this on your application. Juvenile convictions will also need to be noted.
-
As Police Officers the public expect us to display the highest standards, values and professional qualities at all times. Throughout the recruitment process communication and conduct is continually assessed in line with the CNC values and Code of Ethics principles and standards of behaviour.
-
Our officers interact with members of the public and our stakeholders and it is vital that our officers portray an approachable and professional image at all times, which is why we need to ensure that any tattoos will not cause offence or be viewed as offensive or threatening.
The CNC policy is that tattoos visible on the face, the throat or front of neck may cause unease with members of the public and may not be compatible with the high standards expected of a police officer. All tattoos must be declared on application and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with visible tattoos on the face, throat or the front of neck carefully considered. All tattoos should be covered whilst on duty, where possible.
If you have any other visible tattoos (such as on forearms) then you must provide details including size, nature and location of the tattoo(s) along with supporting photos as part of your application.
Visible stretched body piercings are not permitted as they are considered to be incompatible with the professional image that the CNC wants to portray.
-
Some business interests may prevent you from joining the CNC. This also includes any of your family’s business interests.
Please get in contact with the recruitment team on 0330 3135 401 if:
- You run any other business or are employed or hired in any other business
- Any of your relatives, including spouse, owns a shop
- Your spouse or any other relative holds a licence relating to liquor, refreshment houses, betting/gaming, or a place of entertainment
-
Our work is of national importance. As a result, our officers and some of our staff have access to privileged information that could potentially leave them vulnerable to corruption. Which is why it’s vital that you’re under no pressure from unpaid debts and liabilities when you apply. As part of this, you’ll have to show that you can manage your loans and debts sensibly.
We realise that most people have some sort of debts, such as a mortgage, a student loan or credit card payments. If your debts are manageable and within your means, they won’t prevent your appointment with us.
-
All officers are required to drive as part of their role, therefore, on application you will need to hold a full manual UK or European driving licence with no more than six points.
-
During the recruitment process, we’ll assess your fitness level to ensure you meet the minimum standard of 7.6 MSFT (Multi Stage Fitness Test – Bleep Test) required to fulfil your roles. It’s incredibly important, which is why we’ll assess your fitness every year you’re with us.
Police officers across the country are covered by the Equality Act 2010. So if you do have a disability, we’ll make reasonable adjustments where appropriate.If you want more information about our fitness standards, and how to obtain health, wellbeing and fitness advice, please visit our application process page.
-
Being a police officer with the CNC is different to policing within a Home Office force or Police Scotland. All of our officers are highly trained Authorised Firearms Officers. They are required to wear and carry relatively heavy personal protective equipment and kit. They also work on Licenced Nuclear Sites, which may expose them to a variety of hazards, including radioactive material, and must meet the requisite hearing and eyesight standards to enable them to safely carry out the role.
Because of the unique nature of the Authorised Firearms Officer role at CNC, you’ll need to achieve different levels of medical and physical fitness standards to our Home Office and Police Scotland colleagues. It is very important that you familiarise yourself with these standards prior to applying, to be able to consider whether you may have any condition which may prevent you from joining the CNC in the role of an Authorised Firearms Officer.
The CNC Authorised Firearms Officer Pre-employment Medical Guidance is available to read here.
For more information, visit our application process page.
-
You can have more than one application open with a number of forces, up to the point of sitting an assessment centre. At that stage you will need to choose which force you wish to continue with and withdraw from other applications.
-
The CNC welcomes applications from individuals who are no longer serving police officers but have previous relevant police service. Whilst we do not have reciprocal agreements with Home Office, Police Scotland, Police Service of Northern Ireland, British Transport Police or Ministry of Defence Police, we may take previous relevant service into account for calculating pay and annual leave entitlement.
Transferees
Applications from current serving police officers are welcomed by the CNC. We also welcome applications from those who have left policing in the last 12 months, as long as they completed their two year probation period before they left.Dependent on which force you join us from, for both re-joiners and transferees, and your skillset, you will be required to undertake some form of residential training ranging from 4 weeks to 19 weeks.
For further information, please contact a member of the recruitment team on 0330 3135 401 who will be able to advise you.
-
We won't accept applications from anyone who is, or has been, a member of the BNP or similar organisations.
-
To enrol on our Level Four Non Home Office Police Officer Apprenticeship, you'll ideally already have attained GCSE level Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above (or the level 2 equivalent qualification), and be able to provide evidence of this.
You can visit the GOV.UK website to get a replacement certificate if it's needed. If you are charged for obtaining a certificate, please ensure you obtain and keep a receipt so that you can be reimbursed by the CNC if you are successful through the recruitment process.
If you don't have these qualifications, or you cannot provide the evidence, then you will be required to attain them as part of your apprenticeship. Our expert training team will support you to do this & your coursework, exams, certificates and any materials required will be fully funded.
Opportunities to Specialise and Develop
Once you’ve passed your probationary period, you’ll have the chance to join one of our specialisms when a position becomes available, or to apply for a transfer or a promotion.
Police Medic
Provide first aid and casualty care to other officers in high-risk policing environments. You’ll be a police officer first and medic second, retaining full police powers.
Military Personnel
Interested in joining following service in the Armed Forces?
Visit our dedicated Military Personnel page.