The online assessment is centred around a fictional week on the Police Now National Detective Programme. It has been designed to immerse you in the role of a trainee detective, and to measure some of the key attributes that are important for success on the programme.
The assessment has been developed by drawing upon real experiences and situations you are likely to face in the role and how these scenarios might link and unfold over time.
The online assessment will take you, on average, between 60-90 minutes to complete. You can take as long as you need as it is not timed. Should you need to log off for any reason, you will be able to return to your assessment later as you had left it. We recommend you complete it in one sitting for the best results.
Online assessment format
You will be asked to respond to questions in three different ways:
- Scenario questions: you will be presented with a scenario and four possible courses of action. You must choose a “Most Effective” and “Least Effective” option. There is no time limit for responding to these questions and you will have the opportunity to complete a practice question.
- Written responses: you will be given two statements and asked to write a short report within a recommended word limit. You will be given clear instructions on how to structure your response. There is no time limit for responding to this question.
- Video responses: you will be asked to record yourself answering responses to several questions surrounding your motivation for joining the programme. You will have up to three minutes of preparation time and up to three minutes to record your answer. You’ll have the opportunity to do a practice video and also re-record your answers if you want to.
- Personality questionnaire: the personality questionnaire is designed to explore your behavioural preferences focusing on those aspects that we think are vital to being successful in the role. You will be asked to rate four statements from “Least Like Me” to “Most Like Me“
Hints and tips for completing the online assessment
Scenario-based questions
- Take time before starting the assessment to research Police Now, our values and our mission. We suggest you also consider your motivations for wanting to join our programme and why you think you would make a good detective – the more you research, the more you’ll be able to convey your motivation and passion for joining Police Now.
- Make sure you are in an environment where you can complete the assessment with no interruptions or distractions. Think about what will help you to feel confident and in the correct frame of mind.
- Read the question and possible responses carefully, to make sure you understand what is being asked.
- Remember, this is your opportunity to show us why you would make a fantastic participant on our programme.
Video responses
- It can be quite daunting talking to a camera instead of a person, but it means we get to know you a lot better. Please be assured that we are not concerned about what you are wearing or where you are filming, rather we will be focused on your responses.
- Choose a place to complete the video response that is visually neutral if possible and try to avoid background noise, movement or other distractions.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection and that you are familiar with how the microphone and webcam work.
- Position yourself so we can see your face and shoulders, in a well-lit environment, ensuring your face is clearly visible, like the example you can see below.
- We would encourage you to make notes during the three minutes preparation time, so please have a pen and paper to hand.
- If you are completing the assessment on your mobile phone, please avoid touching the screen whilst recording your video responses as this will save and submit your response, rather than allow you to finish your recording.
- You will have the opportunity to do a test recording to check your audio and video quality before starting the assessed video response.
- For each video question, you can re-record your video as many times as you would like. You will not be able to return back to the practice stage once you’ve clicked ‘Next’.
Personality questionnaire
- There are no right or wrong answers, this assessment is not based on ability.
- Think about how you would respond in a work-based environment, but this can include any relevant work experience, project groups or organised activities you have completed (including in an academic environment).
- If you are unsure, choose the response that corresponds closest to how you feel.
Technical guidance for the online assessment
Here are our quick fixes, which we find work in most instances, when facing technical difficulties:
- Use Google Chrome to access the assessment and if you are still having problems accessing use an incognito tab when completing the online assessment.
- Make sure you select ‘Accept’ or ‘Allow’ when asked for permission to access your microphone/webcam. If you have a pop-up blocker, please disable it for this website.
- Clear the cache and cookies from the browser and device.
- Use a different device (tablet, mobile, laptop) - your assessment will begin where you left off, so please don’t worry.
- Use a different Wi-Fi network or Hotspot.
Top tips for mobile or tablet users:
- Complete the assessment indoors or in a quiet environment to avoid any noise or distractions.
- Try to avoid moving the device around when recording video.
- Have the front facing camera turned on when recording video responses.
- Position the phone to be able to record your face and shoulders and keep fingers away from the microphone area of the phone.
- Use a consistent internet connection (Wi-Fi or Mobile Data) and make sure to have sufficient battery on the device before starting or have a charger to hand.
- When completing the written responses consider spelling and grammar before submitting as auto complete text may change what you were intending to write.
- Close all other applications when recording on an iPhone or iPad as the other applications may be accessing the device’s microphone at the same time.
If you have reached a video response, but the video screen stays black and will not allow you to record and/or is displaying an error message of ‘waiting for hardware’. Please try the following options:
- A pop-up should appear in the top corner of your screen asking you to authorise the hardware. You must authorise this hardware for the website to allow you to record. If you have a pop-up blocker, please disable it for this website.
- If you have already authorised the hardware, please close your browser and try to complete the assessment in another browser. Your progress will be saved from wherever you have left off, so your answers to the previous section of the online assessment will be saved.
- If you are using Safari or Internet Explorer, please try Google Chrome.
Online assessment FAQs
Why do we use the online assessment as part of the application process?
We want you to experience what it is like to be a detective and what the role entails. This will help you decide if the programme is right for you.
Why is there a mixture of written and video responses in the online assessment?
We include both written and video responses in our online assessment so that applicants get an understanding of the various communication methods you’ll need to utilise on the programme. It also allows us to assess some of the key competencies we are looking for, such as written communication and motivational alignment.
How long will the online assessment take?
The online assessment is likely to take between 60-90 minutes. The assessment is not timed so you can complete it at your own pace. For the best results, we recommend that you do it in one sitting.
How should I prepare for the online assessment?
Allow yourself enough time to complete it and make sure that you are in an environment where you feel comfortable to think and answer at your best ability. You will also have access to our online assessment handbook with helpful hints and tips, which we recommend you review before completing the assessment. You should also research our mission and the programme you are applying to . You may want to make some notes that help you throughout.
Am I able to review my video responses before I submit?
Yes, you can review your video responses in the online assessment before submission. At the start of the assessment there is a practice section for you to check your technology is working before you record an assessed answer.
Who should I contact if I have a technical issue?
If you have read our guidance below and tried to resolve a technical issues and it remains, please contact us via our live chat.
What will happen afterwards?
We’ll be in touch within 3-10 working days to let you know the outcome and you will also receive a personalised feedback report.
How long, on average, can I expect from application to offer?
Overall, it can take 6-12 weeks from application to offer. However, this is dependent on how soon you fill out an application, how quickly you complete your online assessment in the timeframe given and the earliest date you can attend an assessment centre.
Further information and assistance
Our team are happy to support you via our live chat with any technical queries or guidance on completing the online assessment.
What if I require adjustments?
Police Now is dedicated to ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to perform at their best during the application process.
The online assessment has various elements: scenario-based questions, a short-written task, personality questionnaire and video responses. The assessment is not timed, and can be completed at your own pace. Therefore, you do not need to reach out to us if you require extra time.
However, we offer an alternative format and other adjustments, therefore if you would like to discuss in confidence, please contact us.