Resources & Templates
Downloadable templates, forms, and guides to support your policing career — from PDR evidence portfolios to appeal letter templates.
Unofficial independent resource — always verify with official sources (College of Policing, your force, PFEW).
Resource Library
Downloadable templates, guides, and tools to support your policing career.
15 resources found
Personal Development Review (PDR) Template
Comprehensive PDR template aligned to the CVF competencies. Includes self-assessment sections, evidence recording, and development objectives. Used across most forces.
Promotion Evidence Portfolio Template
Structured portfolio template for recording and presenting your promotion evidence. Covers all CVF competencies with STAR-format guidance and example entries.
NPPF Step 1 Study Planner
12-week study planner for the NPPF Legal Knowledge exam. Weekly targets, topic checklists, and revision schedule. Covers Crime, Evidence & Procedure, and General Police Duties.
Interview Preparation Workbook
Work through 20 common promotion interview questions with guided STAR-format templates. Includes self-assessment, practice scoring grid, and tips from successful candidates.
Appeal Letter Template — Misconduct
Template letter for appealing misconduct meeting or hearing outcomes. Includes guidance on grounds of appeal, timescales, and submission process.
Flexible Working Request Template
Standard template for requesting flexible working arrangements under Police Regulations. Covers part-time working, compressed hours, and job share arrangements.
Business Interest Declaration Form
Template form for declaring business interests under Regulation 7. Includes guidance on what must be declared and the approval process.
Fitness Test Preparation Guide (8-Week Programme)
Progressive 8-week training programme to prepare for the Job-Related Fitness Test. Includes bleep test training, strength exercises, and nutrition advice specifically for shift workers.
Pension Projection Worksheet
Spreadsheet to estimate your police pension under CARE 2015 or legacy schemes. Input your salary, years of service, and retirement age to see projected annual pension and lump sum.
Grievance Submission Template
Formal grievance template compliant with Police (Conduct) Regulations. Guidance on grounds, evidence presentation, and expected timescales.
Stress Risk Assessment — Self-Completion
HSE-aligned stress risk assessment tool adapted for policing. Covers demands, control, support, relationships, role, and change. Includes action planning section.
Transfer Application Checklist
Step-by-step checklist for officers considering a lateral transfer between forces. Covers eligibility, pension transfer, pay protection, and vetting requirements.
Annual Leave Calculator (Shift Workers)
Spreadsheet tool for calculating annual leave entitlements when working variable shift patterns. Accounts for rest days, public holidays, and the 8-day fortnight.
Critical Incident Debrief Template
Structured hot and cold debrief templates for use after critical incidents. Promotes reflective practice and organisational learning. Suitable for sergeants and inspectors.
Equality Impact Assessment Template
EIA template for policing decisions and policies. Ensures compliance with the public sector equality duty under the Equality Act 2010.
Police Glossary
A searchable reference of common police acronyms, abbreviations, and terms used across UK policing.
51 terms found
Authorised Firearms Officer
A police officer who has been trained and authorised to carry and use firearms during operational duties.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition
Camera technology that reads vehicle registration plates to check against databases for stolen vehicles, wanted persons, and intelligence.
Authorised Professional Practice
The official source of policing practice guidance published by the College of Policing, covering all areas of operational and professional policing.
Armed Response Vehicle
A police vehicle crewed by Authorised Firearms Officers, deployed to incidents involving firearms or other serious threats.
Basic Command Unit
A geographical area of policing within a force, typically commanded by a Chief Superintendent. Some forces use alternative terms such as Local Policing Area.
Body-Worn Video
A small camera worn on an officer's uniform to record interactions with the public, used as evidence and to improve accountability.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear
Specialist response capability for incidents involving hazardous materials or weapons of mass destruction.
Criminal Investigation Department
The detective branch of a police force responsible for investigating serious and complex crimes.
Crown Prosecution Service
The independent body responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police and other agencies in England and Wales.
Competency and Values Framework
The national framework published by the College of Policing setting out the behaviours, competencies, and values expected of all police officers and staff.
Detective Constable
A constable-rank officer who has passed the National Investigators Exam and works in a detective role investigating crime.
Degree Holder Entry Programme
A two-year police entry route for applicants who already hold a degree in any subject. One of the three PEQF entry routes.
Detective Inspector
An inspector-rank officer serving in a detective role, typically managing a team of detective sergeants and constables.
Detective Sergeant
A sergeant-rank officer working in a detective capacity, supervising detective constables and managing investigations.
Family Liaison Officer
A trained officer deployed to support bereaved families during major investigations, acting as a key link between the family and the investigation team.
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services
The independent body that inspects and reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces and fire services in England and Wales.
Independent Office for Police Conduct
The body responsible for overseeing the police complaints system and investigating the most serious matters involving the police in England and Wales.
Incident Response Vehicle
A marked police vehicle used by response officers to attend emergency calls and incidents.
Job-Related Fitness Test
A physical fitness assessment that applicants and serving officers must pass, including elements such as the bleep test and dynamic strength tests.
Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements
A framework for managing dangerous offenders in the community, involving police, prison, and probation services working together.
Major Investigation Team
A specialist team of detectives responsible for investigating the most serious crimes, including murder, kidnap, and other major offences.
Management of Police Information
The national guidance and standards for how police forces collect, record, evaluate, share, and dispose of information.
National Crime Agency
The UK law enforcement agency that leads the fight against serious and organised crime, including human trafficking, drug trafficking, and cybercrime.
National Decision Model
The primary decision-making framework used by UK police. A six-stage model that helps officers make and record proportionate decisions.
National Investigators Exam
The examination officers must pass to become accredited detectives under PIP Level 2, covering criminal law, evidence, and investigative procedures.
National Police Air Service
The centralised police aviation service providing helicopter and fixed-wing support to all forces across England and Wales.
National Police Chiefs Council
The body that brings together chief police officers to coordinate operations, reform, and develop policing nationally.
National Police Promotion Framework
The framework governing the promotion process for police officers from constable to superintendent, including examinations and work-based assessment.
Objective Structured Performance Related Examination
The former name for the police promotion examinations (Part I legal exam and Part II role-play assessment), now replaced by the NPPF process.
Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984
The primary legislation governing police powers of stop and search, arrest, detention, investigation, and the treatment of detained persons.
Police and Crime Commissioner
An elected official responsible for securing efficient and effective policing within their force area, setting the police budget, and holding the Chief Constable to account.
Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship
A three-year police entry route where new officers earn a degree in Professional Policing Practice while training on the job. The most common PEQF entry route.
Police Community Support Officer
A non-warranted member of police staff with limited powers who provides a visible policing presence and supports community engagement.
Police Education Qualifications Framework
The national framework introduced by the College of Policing setting out the entry routes and educational requirements for becoming a police officer.
Police Federation of England and Wales
The staff association representing police officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector on pay, conditions, and welfare matters.
Professionalising Investigation Programme
The national programme that sets the standards and accreditation levels for criminal investigators, from PIP Level 1 (patrol) to PIP Level 4 (strategic).
Police National Computer
The national database holding records on people (convictions, wanted/missing), vehicles, and property. Accessible to all UK forces.
Police National Database
A national intelligence database allowing forces to share and access intelligence, custody records, and crime reports across force boundaries.
Personal Protective Equipment
The equipment issued to officers for personal safety, including body armour, handcuffs, PAVA spray, baton, and in some cases, Taser.
Police Remuneration Review Body
The independent body that makes recommendations to the government on pay and conditions for police officers up to and including the rank of chief superintendent.
Police Support Unit
A trained unit of officers equipped for public order deployments, typically consisting of one inspector, three sergeants, and a number of constables with specialist equipment.
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act
The legislation governing the use of covert surveillance, informants, and interception of communications by law enforcement agencies.
Roads Policing Unit
A specialist unit focused on road safety, traffic enforcement, collision investigation, and the policing of the road network.
Specialist Firearms Officer
An officer with advanced firearms training beyond standard AFO, deployed to the most high-risk firearms operations including counter-terrorism.
Sergeant & Inspector Promotion & Progression
The process and pathway for officers seeking promotion from constable to sergeant or sergeant to inspector under the NPPF.
Senior Investigating Officer
The officer in overall charge of a major crime investigation, typically a detective chief inspector or detective superintendent with PIP Level 3 accreditation.
Safer Neighbourhood Team
A local policing team dedicated to a specific area, focused on community engagement, problem-solving, and addressing neighbourhood priorities.
Conducted Energy Device
A less-lethal device that fires electrodes to temporarily incapacitate a subject. Only specially trained officers are authorised to carry Taser.
Territorial Support Group
A specialist public order unit (primarily associated with the Metropolitan Police) providing a mobile reserve for public order, crime operations, and major events.
Unsatisfactory Performance Procedure
The formal procedure for managing police officers whose performance falls below the expected standard, involving stages of improvement action and review.
Volunteer Police Cadet
A young person aged 13-17 who volunteers with the police, gaining experience and contributing to community projects.
NATO Phonetic Alphabet & Radio Procedures
The standard phonetic alphabet and radio procedures used by UK police forces for clear communication.
Phonetic Alphabet
Used to spell out letters clearly over radio — essential for passing registration plates, names, and addresses.
Numbers
Pronunciation for numbers over radio to avoid confusion.
Common Radio Procedures
Standard phrases used during radio communications.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
Receiving, over | I hear you, go ahead |
Roger / Received | Message understood |
Say again | Please repeat (never say "repeat") |
Wilco | Will comply |
Stand by | Wait for further information |
Go ahead | You may transmit |
Over | End of transmission, awaiting reply |
Out | End of conversation |
Response Grades
How incidents are graded for police response.
Life at risk, crime in progress — blues and twos
Serious but not immediate — attend within 1 hour
Non-urgent — attend by appointment
Officer in immediate danger — all available units respond