Joining the Ministry of Defence Police

The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) recruits its own constables for posts across the UK, and its published entry requirements include strict rules on residency, nationality and finances. You must be 18 or over, a sole British national with a British passport, and have lived continuously in the UK for at least five years before applying. Posts needing developed vetting require ten years. The gov.uk requirements document sets all of this out, and the recruitment page lists which roles are open. Check it before you start an application. The recruitment page was last updated on 27 March 2025, when it removed roles that had closed, so the vacancy list may have changed since.

Who the MDP is for

The recruitment page on gov.uk says MDP is recruiting new officers for opportunities across the UK. The role advertised in December 2024 was a police constable who is an authorised firearms officer in counter terrorism, and later updates added senior ranks. We could not read the force’s own careers site, so we have not quoted pay, shifts or locations. The gov.uk page directs enquiries to [email protected].

Our MOD civilian jobs guide covers non-police posts. For the general constable process, see the police application process and the constable guide.

The entry requirements

The gov.uk document lists these requirements:

• Age: 18 or over, with no upper age limit.
• Driving licence: a full UK manual car licence with no more than six penalty points at the time of application, shown by a photocard licence that is in date and has your current address. Applicants from Northern Ireland provide the paper counterpart.
• Qualifications: new recruits need at least a Level 2 qualification in English and maths, with certificates enclosed.
• Residency: continuous UK residence for at least five years immediately before applying, with any absence no more than six months. For postings that need developed vetting it is ten years. UK armed forces or government service abroad counts as residence. The document says this criterion is not flexible.
• Nationality: sole British national holding a British passport.
• Criminal record: you should not have one, including convictions, cautions, penalty notices and court orders, and you must disclose all adult and juvenile convictions and cautions however long ago, plus out of court disposals.
• Tattoos and piercings: tattoos must be non-offensive. Tattoos on the head, throat, neck, ear or jawline, and non-medical tattoos on the face, are not accepted. Facial piercings are not permitted, and ear plugs that leave a hole larger than 4 millimetres once removed are not allowed. Each tattoo is assessed individually.
• Finances: you must not be a registered bankrupt with outstanding debts or have outstanding county court judgments. IVAs and debt management plans are considered with evidence.
• Fitness and medical: a job-related fitness test (the MDP physical employment standard) and a medical assessment.
• Prohibited organisations: membership is not permitted.

The residency rule is tied to national security vetting. Our security clearance guide explains the levels from BPSS to developed vetting.

Assessment and previous applications

You can apply even if you were unsuccessful with another force, and you can apply to other forces at the same time, though MDP asks you to keep its recruitment team informed. College of Policing online assessments are accepted if you passed them within the last 12 months and can provide written evidence. An MDP suitability interview is still required, and assessments from other providers are not recognised.

Transferring from another force

To join as a new entrant from another force you must have completed your probation and have at least two years’ service. If you have under four years’ service you must provide proof of initial training. You must have served with a UK Home Department police force, British Transport Police, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC), a ports police force, PSNI or Police Scotland.

Former officers can apply as transferees if they left no more than three years ago. If they left longer ago, they apply as new recruits regardless of previous service. Promotion qualifications are honoured in some cases: OSPRE Part 1 passes and Police Scotland or legacy Scottish promotion exam passes are accepted for one promotion process, either constable to sergeant or sergeant to inspector, and are valid for three years from the qualification date. Other qualifications are considered case by case.

What to check before you apply

• Whether your residency history meets the five or ten year rule, counting absences carefully.
• Whether a conviction, caution, tattoo or debt could rule you out. MDP’s address for questions is [email protected].
• Whether the role you want is open. Roles appear and close on the gov.uk page.
• The pay and pension terms in the advert, which we have not verified.