Common Questions

Whether you’re a serving police officer, police staff or have never worked in policing before, there are opportunities for you to explore. A career in Counter Terrorism Policing offers a range of roles spanning the UK, you won’t always need a background in security to play a part in keeping the UK safe. From finance to project management, data analysis to communications and more, we are always looking for vast range of skills, knowledge and experiences to join our talented teams.

No. You could join as police staff and there are many opportunities for you to explore – from finance to project management, data analysis to communications and more, we are always looking for vast range of skills, knowledge and experiences to join our talented teams.

Every police officer recruit completes a two or three year probationary period as a general Police Constable. This gives you the skills and experience you need to progress your career. From there, you have the option to move into a huge variety of roles, including specialist positions like working within the Counter Terrorism Policing network.

Every police officer recruit completes a two or three year probationary period as a general Police Constable. This gives you the skills and experience you need to progress your career. From there, you have the option to move into a huge variety of roles, including specialist positions like working within the Counter Terrorism Policing network.

The roles within Counter Terrorism Policing are as varied and exciting as they are across the rest of policing. Our detectives can be involved in some of the most high profile investigations in policing. There are specialist officers working with businesses to support them in protecting their buildings, staff and customers as well as ensuring they are prepared should an attack happen so that the impact is minimised. Officers stationed across the world liaise with our international partners to support terrorism investigations. Within the network there are officers who specialise in combatting chemical incidents, firearms incidents, vehicles as weapons, radicalisation of the vulnerable – the list is endless and those who work within it are considered by many to be the best in the world.

Not at all. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part-time working or job shares. Counter Terrorism Policing is always working to build upon our diverse workforce to reflect the country we serve, so you’ll enjoy a varied and fulfilling working environment.

We work hard to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. An inclusive culture enables us to do things differently, working in ways that meet individuals’ needs, flexing working patterns to ensure life-work balance is healthy so that we deliver the best for the organisation.

This better equips us to make a difference, to staff wellbeing and to the success of Counter Terrorism Policing in keeping people safe from terrorism.

Security vetting and pre-employment checks form an essential part of the recruitment process for all of our roles. Please note that your job offer will be subject to you passing these checks, which may take up to six months or longer. We advise that the successful candidate not hand in their notices until they have passed these checks.  

You will receive a firm job offer once you have successfully passed security vetting and pre-employment checks. Information and guidance is available to support applicants during the vetting process.

Some of our roles mean you will have access to the most sensitive material on a daily basis, which will require security vetting and is part of our recruitment process. Please note that this can sometimes take up to six months or longer. Information and guidance is available to support applicants during the vetting process.

We advise that the successful candidate not hand in their notices until all security vetting and pre-employment checks have concluded, you will receive a final offer letter once this has been done. The initial offer (pre vetting) will be conditional. These checks are an essential part of the recruitment process for this role. Please note that your job offer will be subject to you passing these checks, which may take up to six months or longer.

Everyone working within, alongside or on behalf of the police service must maintain high ethical and professional standards. A thorough vetting check is key to assessing an individual’s integrity and suitability for the role, identifying any areas of vulnerability that could be exploited.  Vetting protects the individual, their close associates as well as the Organisation.

National security vetting at SC or DV may be transferrable, however, Management Vetting (MV) will still be required dependent on which region you are applying for. Each vetting application will be assessed on a case by case basis.

You will complete detailed questionnaires about yourself that will build up a complete picture and information will be required about your wider family background, health, private life, financial situation, political views, hobbies and travel, If further information is required a vetting officer will contact you direct to discuss. To avoid delays to your application please provide full and accurate information.

Security vetting may take up to six months – or longer – and forms an essential part of the recruitment process for this role. Please note that your job offer will be subject to you passing these checks.

Vetting can take some time and updates will be limited during the process, please contact the recruiter for an update.

A lot of roles now offer the opportunity for hybrid working to create greater flexibility and a better home life balance. Job adverts will specify if a role is suitable for hybrid working or whether it will be an office based role. Not roles are suitable for remote working.

Not all roles will be London based as we are a national network, specific job advert will detail the respective base location. A lot of roles now offer the opportunity for hybrid working to create greater flexibility and a better home life balance.

Work with us and you will be joining a world-class Counter Terrorism Policing network. In addition to fascinating work and talented colleagues you’ll find a range of benefits including a competitive pension, exciting career pathways which are being developed across the network, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for secondments across the Counter Terrorism Policing network and much more.

Work with us and you will be joining a world-class Counter Terrorism Policing network. In addition to fascinating work and talented colleagues you’ll find a range of benefits including a competitive pension, exciting career pathways, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for secondments across the Counter Terrorism Policing network and much more. For full information please review the job advert as there will be a link to the respective host force and the benefits offered.

Work with us and you will be joining a world-class Counter Terrorism Policing network. In addition to fascinating work and talented colleagues you’ll find a range of benefits including a competitive pension, exciting career pathways which are being developed across the network, generous holiday allowances, and opportunities for secondments across the Counter Terrorism Policing network and much more.

We work hard to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. An inclusive culture enables us to do things differently, working in ways that meet individuals’ needs, flexing working patterns to ensure life-work balance is healthy so that we deliver the best for the organisation.

This better equips us to make a difference, from staff wellbeing to the success of Counter Terrorism Policing in keeping people safe from terrorism. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working, blended and remote working or job shares.

Pay ranges vary between regions/forces, please refer to specific job adverts for more information.

Counter Terrorism Policing is always working to build upon our diverse workforce to reflect the country we serve, so you’ll enjoy a varied and fulfilling working environment. With a variety of training and development opportunities, you’ll find a range of exciting career pathways waiting for you.

We work hard to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. An inclusive culture enables us to do things differently, working in ways that meet individuals’ needs, flexing working patterns to ensure life-work balance is healthy so that we deliver the best for the organisation.

This better equips us to make a difference, from staff wellbeing to the success of Counter Terrorism Policing in keeping people safe from Terrorism. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, including part time working, blended and remote working or job shares.

Working in Counter Terrorism Policing affords you access to secure systems and intelligence and much of what we do is done on a “need to know” basis. You can tell your partner or close family members that you work in Counter Terrorism Policing but must not inform them of anything that may place at risk or compromise yourself, your family or the Organisation.

National security vetting requires the applicant to have been a resident in the UK for a minimum of five years at SC level and 10 years at DV level.  You do not have to be a UK citizen to pass National security vetting.

Some of our roles require access to the most sensitive intelligence and must be restricted to UK nationals. In approved circumstances dual nationals (of which one element is British) may also be granted access.  However, in the event that potential conflicts of interest cannot be managed the post holder will not be able to see the intelligence and will not be able to perform their duties.