The job

In the RAF Police, you will protect personnel and vital operational equipment, both in the UK and on operations overseas, from criminal, terrorist and other threats. At the beginning of your career, you will carry out both unarmed and armed patrol duties and react to a wide range of policing incidents where you will often be expected to use your own initiative to resolve sometimes stressful situations. There will also be early opportunities to become an RAF Police dog handler.

Later on, you may be employed on special (criminal) investigations, or provide specialist security advice and assistance. Other opportunities exist to undertake activities such as close protection (bodyguard) duties protecting senior military officers; providing forensic support to investigations; and working closely with other police and security organisations. RAF Police are expected to have a high level of integrity and be physically robust enough to deal with the challenge of police duties.

Training

Following completion of your recruit training at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire, you will start a 23-week specialist training course at the Defence Police College at Southwick Park in Hampshire. Here you’ll learn the essential skills needed to do your job, including your duties and responsibilities, criminal law, how to conduct investigations, interview techniques, driver training, arrest and restraint techniques and enhanced military skills and weapon training. You’ll also have a week of adventurous training.

If you’ve volunteered for dog-handling duties, you’ll have a further three weeks of training where you’ll team up with an RAF Police dog.

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