Do you want to become a police officer? We advise how to get into the police

Conditions and requirements

If you want to become a member of the Police of the Czech Republic, you must fulfil several formalities stipulated by the Law on Service. The basic requirements are at least 18 years of age , Czech citizenship, criminal record and a high school diploma. The police also assess so-called reliability – it is not only a clean criminal record, but also life history, behaviour in previous jobs or general way of life.

Applicants must also meet a medical fitness requirement, which is assessed by a comprehensive medical examination, and a physical fitness requirement, which is verified by physical tests. The recruitment process involves an application, a personal interview, a security questionnaire and then a detailed background check.

For special units, especially the criminal police, the process is usually longer, involves more screening and often requires previous experience.

Psych tests to police: What exactly they entail and why they are so important

Police psychological tests are a crucial part of the admissions process and are often more dreaded than physical exams. Their aim is to check whether a candidate is mentally fit to perform a service that involves stressful situations, working with people, risky interventions and responsible decisions with legal implications.

The psychological examination consists of several parts:

• Personality tests – assesses stability, impulsivity, aggression, self-control or tendency to risk-taking behaviour.
• Attention and intellectual ability tests – examine analytical thinking, work rate, accuracy or ability to react quickly.
• Anamnestic questionnaire – focuses on previous experiences, health status, life situation or stressful moments.
• Individual interview with a psychologist – this is crucial as it complements the tests and can significantly influence the outcome.

Police psychological tests also look at specific situations that are typical of police work – conflict management, decision-making under pressure, emotional stability or the ability to maintain professional distance. It is a myth that the tests can be learned. Psychological tests deliberately test the consistency of answers and are not primarily about intelligence but about personal integrity.

In the criminal police, the emphasis tends to be even higher, for example on precision, analytical thinking and the ability to cope with challenging criminal activity.

Psychological tests are not only psychological tests, they also have a strong legal dimension. The police are only allowed to ask for information that is necessary to assess medical fitness. Psychologists must adhere to ethical standards and confidentiality obligations. Results are stored according to GDPR rules and the police are obliged to protect candidates’ personal data.

If a candidate disagrees with a psychological test result or has doubts about its accuracy, they can:

• request a medical fitness review,
• lodge an objection if they suspect a procedural error,
• request a new testing opportunity after a certain period of time.

The candidate has the right to know on what criteria he or she has been rejected, although the specific details of the personality tests are not usually disclosed. For example, it would be illegal to ask for information that is not related to the service (personal intimate details, religion, etc.).

How to get to the Criminal Police

Applicants often ask how to get into the criminal police, but the truth is that you almost never join the criminal police directly. The standard procedure is to start as a riot policeman and get several years of experience. Only then does the path to specialisation open up.

The criminal police place increased demands on mental toughness, analytical mindset, stress management in serious crimes, the ability to conduct interrogations and often a clearance by the National Security Agency.

Psychological testing for criminalists tends to be more challenging because the profession requires the ability to confront extreme cases such as violent crime, working with victims, and confronting offenders.

Physical tests, medical examination and security clearance

In addition to the psychological tests, applicants must pass physical tests that include sprinting, running, push-ups and an overall fitness assessment. The medical examination is governed by strict rules, but the doctor can only ask for information that is relevant to the performance of duty.

Background checks are part of the recruitment process. The police examine financial history, debts, work history or lifestyle. False information can lead to cancellation of admission.

Sometimes security screening is also conducted, especially for more sensitive positions. This can take longer and involves checking family ties.

What happens if a police officer misbehaves

Despite careful police psychological testing, a police officer may be found to be acting in breach of the law. The Czech legal system provides for several ways to deal with police officer excess.

If a citizen suspects that a police officer has acted illegally or unreasonably, he or she can use several defences. The most common is to file a complaint against a police officer, which is directed to the officer’s immediate superior and leads to an internal investigation. More serious conduct can be reported to the General Inspectorate of Security Forces (GIBS), which investigates suspected criminal activity by police officers. If the unlawful police action has caused damage, the victim can sue the state and claim compensation for damages or non-pecuniary harm. In each of these cases, it is advisable to contact an attorney to help with drafting complaints, proper procedure and protection of rights.

Psychological testing is supposed to minimize the risk of inappropriate behavior by police officers, but reality shows that the human factor always plays a role. That is why it is important for citizens to know their rights.

Practical advice for police applicants

If you are going to join the police, good preparation pays off. Here are some recommendations that have proved their worth:

• You can’t fool the psychological tests – be authentic. Tests are designed to detect efforts at manipulation.
• Physical preparation is necessary – start regular training several months in advance.
• Get sleep – fatigue significantly affects performance on attention tests.
• Simulate stress – try model situations to help manage performance in front of a psychologist.
• Ensure accuracy when completing forms as clerical errors are a common reason for extended recruitment.
• Keep an eye on medical reports, especially for long-term health conditions.

Success in psychological tests is often a matter of honesty, mental hygiene and mental balance, not learned answers.

Summary

To become a police officer, you must meet the legal requirements, which include age over 18, Czech citizenship, high school diploma, criminal record, medical fitness, and successful completion of physical tests and a comprehensive recruitment process. A key part of the recruitment process is the police psychological tests, which verify personal stability, stress resistance, self-control, ability to make decisions under pressure and overall fitness for police service; they include personality and performance tests, an anamnestic questionnaire and an individual interview with a psychologist. The psychological tests have not only a professional but also a legal dimension – the police may only ask for the necessary data, the psychologist is bound by confidentiality and the candidate can defend himself against the result by requesting a review or objecting if he doubts the accuracy of the assessment. Applicants for a job in the criminal police usually have to first gain experience in the basic service, undergo more demanding psychological and professional screening and often security clearance. In addition to the psychological tests, applicants also face a physical exam, a medical examination and a background check, during which the police examine, among other things, financial history or lifestyle. If a police officer acts illegally or unreasonably in practice, a citizen can defend himself or herself by filing a complaint, a complaint with the GIBS, or a lawsuit against the state, seeking compensation for damages. Careful preparation, good mental state, sufficient sleep, physical fitness, and accuracy in filling out all documents significantly contribute to success in psychological tests and the entire recruitment process.