Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) - Vetting & Pre-employment Checks

Have you contacted the recruitment team to ask why your vetting is taking this long?

Hey ive just got to the day 2 stage for july, any tips?

Don’t stress about it it’s real easy just make sure you already have points in your head about your past experiences for the interview part. Roleplay is easy just make sure you’re not biased towards any player and try get to a fair resolution that benefits both sides. And fitness is fitness can’t help too much on that tbh but it’s real easy even if you’re not the fittest of people

Thanks alot for the reply, im not worried for the fitness id like to think im quite fit, im more worried about the role play and questions they ask in the interview, is there anything you specifically remember? And do you think getting in is quite competitive especially for the met thats where i applied. Thanks once again!

Thanks alot for the reply, im not worried for the fitness id like to think im quite fit, im more worried about the role play and questions they ask in the interview, is there anything you specifically remember? And do you think getting in is quite competitive especially for the met thats where i applied. Thanks once again!

Hi, I did my final interview for the PCDA route on 9th may but have not heard anything yet should I be worried ?

No response is usually a good thing. Next time you’ll be contacted should be when they are gonna start the vetting process

Vetting’s been a huge problem for me really, not to discourage you but I sent off my vetting August 2024 and I still haven’t been vetted. From what I hear though I’m the only one in this sort of scenario. My friend who is on the PCDA scheme now took about 2-3 months to get his vetting result.

Wow this sounds extremely concerning (MPS business wise) and not any shade on you - According to the Mets own vetting website vetting normally takes around 2 months - but yes can be longer in certain circumstances (i.e. 6 months etc.). However, August 2024 is almost a year away, so anything over six months is worth challenging/demanding an update.
Vetting | Metropolitan Police (this link leads to info regarding MPS Vetting - once on the website - the fourth paragraph refers to "Our vetting charter" outlines - click on the "vetting charter" link.
This will open up a two (2) page charter pdf regarding vetting - scroll to the bottom of this document ans you'll see an Vetting.Unit email address.
Presumably, you already have an email for the internal MPS recruitment team whom may have contacted you requesting info or providing updates etc. - send an email highlighting you are extremely troubled with the fact that you've waiting X amount of months, to date with no vetting progress/update.
CC' in email, the recruitment team and yourself (for your records to track) in this email to the Vetting Unit - noting also that you've tried getting a update from recruitment previously, to no avail.

Hopefully you'll receive a reply (or auto reply) acknowledging receipt of your email, with a timeframe of when you're likely to hear back.
-If no auto email of acknowledgement is received - then send an email reminder every two weeks (if required).
Good luck!

Damn, I haven’t tried this approach before. Thanks for the really elaborate answer

Hi, I did my final interview for the PCDA route on 9th may but have not heard anything yet should I be worried ?

Has anything updated on the portal? They usually let you know the next day if you’ve passed the interview/role play when they update the portal about next steps.
I did mine on the 6th May and on they moved onto references within a week.
They’ve also started my vetting once the medical results are passed on PCDA

as I’m applying with West Midlands police it has been through email where they keep me updated on the process , I received an email on the 28th of may stating that they are processing through my interview pack and will notify me as soon as possible on the outcome

Hey guys. I have applied through the Police Constable Entry Program (PCEP) has anyone gone through that route. I am currently going to undertake the Online Assessment Centre (OAC) does anyone know the questions that came up or have any advice or tips for the video competency interview please as well as the briefing exercise?