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URGENT: Police Forces Slashing Intake Sizes in 2024 - How to Ensure You Don't Get Left Behind

Critical News for Police Candidates: Recruitment Numbers Are Being Cut Nationwide

If you're in the police recruitment process in 2024, I have some alarming news that could make the difference between securing your place or ending up in dreaded "talent pool" limbo.

As someone who's been coaching police candidates for over 30 years and maintains close connections with forces across the UK, I'm seeing a concerning pattern emerging: police forces nationwide are dramatically reducing their intake sizes, with some cancelling recruitment cohorts entirely.

This isn't just rumour or speculation. Through our 25,000-strong Facebook community and direct intelligence from HR teams within various forces, we're receiving consistent reports of significant recruitment cutbacks:

• One county force has slashed their September intake from 40 to just 10 officers

• A major metropolitan force (not the Met) has reduced their intake by approximately 75%

• Several county forces have completely cancelled planned intakes

• Some candidates are being given tentative start dates as far away as Summer 2025

This shrinking recruitment landscape means that simply passing is no longer enough—you need to excel. Here's what's happening and how to ensure you don't become a casualty of these changes.

Why Forces Are Cutting Recruitment Numbers

Financial Uncertainty Ahead of the Budget

The primary driver behind these cuts is financial uncertainty. With the government's budget announcement coming in October, police chiefs are facing several financial pressures:

1. Potential budget freezes: Even without explicit cuts, a freeze in funding represents a real-terms decrease due to inflation

2. Recent pay awards: The 4.5% police pay rise is only partially funded by central government, with forces having to find the remainder from existing budgets

3. Rising pension costs: As a fixed cost that increases with inflation, pension commitments eat into budgets

4. Protecting reserves: Forces are reluctant to deplete financial reserves that are meant for genuine emergencies

Unlike the austerity era 13-14 years ago when many forces completely halted recruitment for years, we're not seeing a total recruitment freeze. However, the significant reduction in intake sizes means competition for remaining places has intensified dramatically.

The "Talent Pool" Reality: What It Really Means for Your Application

When forces reduce their intake sizes, they don't simply reduce the pass mark. Instead, they create what they call "talent pools"—groups of candidates who have technically passed all stages but aren't scoring high enough to secure the limited available places.

Here's how this typically plays out:

1. Historically, around 1 in 10 applicants successfully complete the entire recruitment process

2. Of those reaching the final interview stage, typically 1 in 3 or 4 would be offered a place

3. Under current conditions, forces still need to interview similar numbers of candidates

4. But with fewer places available, only the highest-scoring candidates receive immediate offers

5. Everyone else—even those who passed—end up in the "talent pool"

Being in a talent pool sounds positive, but the reality is far less reassuring. It means:

• No guaranteed start date

• Potential waits of 6-12 months or longer

• Risk of having to re-do assessments if they expire

• Possibility of never being called forward if recruitment continues to contract

I've seen this exact scenario play out during previous periods of financial constraint. Some forces will use language like "possible" or "maybe" regarding future intakes, but nothing is certain until you have a warrant card in your pocket.

How Forces Decide Who Gets In and Who Waits

Forces can't simply pick candidates they prefer—there's legal precedent from a case involving Cheshire Constabulary years ago that forces must select based on scores, not subjective preference.

This means they have two main approaches:

1. Raising the Pass Mark

Some forces are raising the minimum pass threshold for the online assessment centre. While the national pass mark might be 50%, I've seen forces implement local pass marks of:

• 55%

• 60%

• And in one extreme case, 68% (meaning a candidate who scored 67% didn't progress)

2. Ranking Successful Candidates

Other forces maintain the standard pass mark but simply take the highest-scoring candidates first. Those who passed but with lower scores enter the talent pool.

One force used to send brutally honest letters stating: "Well done, you passed everything, but your marks weren't high enough, so you're out." Most now use the gentler term "talent pool," but the outcome is the same—indefinite waiting with no guarantees.

How to Ensure You Don't End Up in Talent Pool Limbo

Given these realities, simply aiming to pass is no longer sufficient. To secure your place in the reduced intakes, you need to be among the highest-scoring candidates at every stage.

Here are the critical steps to take:

1. Excel in the Online Assessment Centre

This is becoming the primary filtering point. With forces raising pass marks or prioritising highest scorers, you need to aim for 90%+ rather than just meeting the minimum standard.

The online assessment centre may be a tick-box exercise that doesn't truly measure your potential as an officer, but it's a crucial gateway. The difference between scoring 60% and 90% could be the difference between joining this year or waiting indefinitely.

2. Deliver a Standout Final Interview

Even if you progress to final interview, forces are now having to be more selective. "Friendly" interviewers don't equate to automatic passes—you still need:

• Structured, detailed answers

• Relevant life experience examples

• Confident responses to forward-facing questions

• Clear demonstration of values alignment

3. Stay Informed About Your Target Force

Forces vary significantly in their approach to these challenges. Join our Facebook community where over 25,000 candidates and serving officers (including some from HR teams) share the latest information about specific forces.

This intelligence can help you:

• Target forces that are still actively recruiting

• Understand local pass mark thresholds

• Know what to expect in your specific process

Don't Leave Your Police Career to Chance

I've seen this cycle before during previous periods of financial constraint, and the pattern is clear: when recruitment numbers shrink, only the best-prepared candidates secure places.

Our Academy programme specialises in helping candidates achieve the top-tier scores needed in this competitive landscape. With one-to-one coaching, small group practice webinars, and comprehensive online resources, we can help you avoid the talent pool trap.

Our track record speaks for itself, with a success rate so high we can guarantee your pass or refund your investment. This isn't bold marketing—it's the confidence that comes from three decades of helping candidates navigate even the toughest recruitment conditions.

Click here to learn more about our Academy and book a 45-minute consultation to see if you're a good fit for our programme. Not everyone is, but for those who are, we can make the difference between joining the police this year or being left in talent pool limbo.

The Bottom Line: Act Now

The police recruitment landscape has changed dramatically, and candidates need to adapt. The days of simply meeting the minimum standard are gone. In today's environment, excellence isn't optional—it's essential.

Don't be the candidate who receives that devastating letter telling you that you passed everything but still didn't make the cut. With the right preparation and support, you can be among the select few who secure their place in these reduced intake sizes.

Join our Facebook community or reach out directly if you have information about your local force's recruitment plans. Together, we can navigate these challenging times and help you achieve your goal of becoming a police officer.

Remember: Nothing is certain in police recruitment until you have that warrant card in your pocket. Make sure you're doing everything possible to get there.