Joining the Police

[wizard]

Hi, im hoping to join the Police, not sure which force yet (any that will take me!), the thing is I need to wear contact lenses to see properly. I think my eyesight is bad, -4.50 in the left eye and -3.25 in the right. Does anyone know if im still eligible? I looked on the website but it just tells you which line you need to be able to read from. Any help would be excellent!

[enigma]

Your local Police force should be able to tell you exactly what the requirements are. Why not give your regional Police Headquarters a call and ask to speak with someone from their recruitment dept - I am sure that they will be happy to oblige. Failing that , you could check with your optician , as they are usually familiar with the basic requirements. You haven't specified whether you are intending to apply to a Scottish Constabulary or the Metropolitan Police. I only know that contact lenses and glasses are now acceptable within Scottish Police forces - depending on how correctable the eyesight is with aided vision. Not sure about the Met. Good luck !

[PaulB]

enigma is right - have you considered laser surgery? i have had it and never "looked" back. Well worth it. i had mine done here:-http://www.centreforsight.com Good luck

[norfolk boy]

Hey Wizard i didn't know you needed good eyesight to operate a speed camera - Only joking ! Hats off to you i couldn't do it, good luck!

[wizard]

lol, ill second that Norfolk Boy! I just wanna do something with my life, joining the Police sounded like a really good option, thanks for your support.

[stevie21]

I've had laser surgery and my eyesight has gone back to almost as bad as it was beforehand. It was great while it lasted though! I'm sure I've seen loads of police-folks wearing glasses. Why would wearing glasses be a problem, it's not like you're joining the fire brigade. ??

[TheBrad]

Hi Wizard, Don't worry to much about your eyesight as they have really relaxed things over the years. My mate joined up with me almost 4 years ago and his eyesight is quite bad. At that time he wasn't wearing glasses or contacts but passed,no props. I wish you well in your application but standby for ridiculous amounts of time-wasting PAPERWORK!

[mel_trace]

Hi there, I have -3.95 Left eye -4.25 right eye and was not accepted for the scottish police a couple of months ago. You have to see the third line down unaided to get through and second line up aided aswell. Good luck. Watch out for the new discrimination act coming in October though, go to policecouldyou.co.uk

[The Trog]

Hi, I used to be a Police Occupational Health Nurse actually doing the medicals ie eye sight testing. Contact me by email and I will give you some words of wisdom :)

[wizard]

Trog, this is a blast from the past!

Cheers for your reply though, im in the job now!