Here at BTP, we regularly recruit retired Police Officers from other forces and those eager to re-join the policing community. Our dedication to retaining experienced individuals within our ranks stems from the belief that previous Officers enrich the British Transport Police (BTP) with valuable skills, qualities and experience.
For retirees, there is no longer an upper age limit for Police Officer recruitment, offering the opportunity to continue drawing your police pension whilst earning a competitive salary.
Former officers returning to policing can transfer their pay and annual leave entitlement from their previous Force. The application process is straightforward, followed by a local interview or assessment centre session. Successful applicants can expect to start within 3-6 months, although timelines may vary.
If you're keen on extending your policing career post-retirement or relaunching your journey as a Police Officer, apply today! Our current vacancies can be found here.
FAQs
What rank can I transfer in?
Can I re-join at my previous rank?
Do you accept applications for part time Police Officers?
Do I need a break in service after retirement?
I am due to retire, when should I apply?
What is a talent pool vacancy?
What roles do you recruit to?
What are the shift patterns?
Can I organise an informal meeting with a local team before application?
Positive action
At BTP we are proud guardians of the railway and it is crucial that we represent the diverse communities we serve and protect. As ‘One BTP’ across the UK, we know that diversity, inclusion and belonging help us improve our decision making, foster creativity and drive innovation so all our people can thrive.
Our vacancies are open to everyone and all appointments are made based on merit. So that we can become more diverse we encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, women, people who have a disability, those who are neurodiverse and persons who identify as LGBTQI+. We use positive action to encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups through targeted workshops or advice sessions. If you have the skills, experience and values that here in BTP we pride ourselves on then we would welcome you to apply.
For more information on Positive Action please click here or email the team on PART-recruitment@btp.police.uk
We’re passionate about recognising and rewarding those who help us protect every journey. It’s you who makes the difference, so our benefits are designed with you in mind. Take a look at what’s on offer:
We offer a generous pension scheme to all of our employees.
Transferees/Re-joiners will be auto enrolled into our CARE scheme however, you are able to opt out if you wish. It’s important that, as a Transferee/Re-joiner, you understand the implications associated with moving Forces in relation to your pension therefore we suggest you contact your current pension provider and also submit a request to BTP pensions via Pension-queries@btp.police.uk
A Blue Light Card costs £4.99 for two years and gives you access to a range of discounts, both online and on the high street.
Police Officers are entitled to 22 days annual leave rising to 25 days annual leave after two years’ service (maximum of 30 days annual leave with 20 years’ service).
As a Transferee/re-joiner we value your experience and we will calculate your annual leave on joining BTP based on length of service.
26 weeks full pay maternity and adoption leave after a qualifying period. Paid paternity leave.
A charity to support employees in the public transport industry for a small monthly payment.
You’ll have the opportunity to hire a bicycle from us to cycle to work and you won’t pay national insurance or tax contributions on what you spend up to £1,000.
All Police Officers and Special Constables are entitled to free travel on all National Rail services when on duty, whether or not they are in uniform. Entitlement to travel is granted by the warrant card which must be shown on request, even if wearing BTP uniform.
Issued to Police Officers and Special Constables in London for duty, travel to and from work and leisure
Not valid on National Rail Services (TfL services only)
London Ferry Bus Service (Clipper services) and Emirates excluded.
Subject to eligibility, police officers can apply for a residential pass or privilege season ticket for rail travel between their home and principal work location. Police staff may be eligible to apply for an interest free annual season ticket loan which is repayable by ten equal instalments through your salary.
BTP’s employee assistance programme is a free, confidential service which supports our employees in resolving personal problems and improving their overall wellbeing.
Internal knowledge hub containing news, information and resources on a variety of topics, wellbeing events and details of all our support services.
Private health insurance is available to Superintendents and Police staff in grades C003 and C004 and above and their families.
Computer users are entitled to eye care examinations and glasses paid for by BTP.
A not-for-profit organisation positively promoting health and wellbeing in the workplace.
Preferential rates from Police Mutual available.
We are silver accredited under the Armed Forces Covenant and we support Territorial forces reservists, including paid time off to participate in training.
When you re-join or transfer to us, you’ll attend an induction course that lasts three weeks at our training centre in London. Accommodation and travel is provided for those that require it. This course will cover all the mandatory Police Officer training including Personal Safety, First Aid and Track Safety.
If your new role is within a specialist team, then your division will provide any further training needed. Re-joiners may be asked to complete additional training if after assessment, it is decided that you have been away from policing for an extended period of time and your training needs are not covered sufficiently within the induction course. This will always be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
We’re committed to your continued development and career progression and will give you all the support you need. In fact, you’ll attend various internal and external training courses so that you can develop the skills you need to progress through the ranks.
Your application will initially be screened to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Once this has been satisfied, the information you have provided in the application form will be assessed.
All officer assessments within BTP are conducted against the College of Policing’s Competencies and Values Framework (CVF).
Further information regarding the CVF can be found on the College of Policing website.
This will include employment reference checks and vetting.
BTP conduct their own vetting, so despite being vetted with your home office force, you will still be required to undergo BTP vetting as part of the recruitment process. Please note that some roles do require higher levels of vetting which will be communicated to you at application stage.
You’ll receive your offer letter or contract once these security checks have been successfully completed.
You’ll also be asked to attend a comprehensive medical assessment, which will be conducted by a doctor or registered nurse. The medical assessment is thorough and includes checks of your eyesight, hearing, blood pressure and body mass. This will help us to determine whether or not you have the level of health that is required for the role. You will also be required to pass a drugs and alcohol test.
We understand that it's only natural to want to prepare for the recruitment process to support you through both your application, we occasionally hold application and assessment centre workshops.
Before you make the decision to apply, you’ll need to make sure that you meet our eligibility criteria.
To join us, you must have the permanent right to live and work in the UK without any restrictions.
All applicants must have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 -5 years, dependant on the level of vetting required for the role you are apply for.
This is required to ensure we can conduct adequate vetting checks and applies equally to all applicants, regardless of nationality.
You will not be eligible to apply if you have ever received a prison sentence.
All other cautions, convictions and involvement with the police must be declared during the vetting process. This will not necessarily result in your application being withdrawn, as all applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
As part of your checks we will verify your financial position. Employees hold a privileged position and have access to a range of sensitive and valuable information. Potentially, this means employees are a heightened risk of being vulnerable to corruption. This means, applicants must to be free from the pressure of undischarged debts or liabilities and to be able to manage loans and debts sensibly.
Tattoos are not acceptable if:
Visible tattoos are permissible on other areas of the body including hands, arms, legs, feet and on the back of the neck (providing the tattoo is discreet and behind the ear lobe).
Discreet tattoos on the ear are also considered acceptable. Consideration will be given to tattoos on the face that were necessary following medical procedures or for cosmetic procedures e.g. eyebrows.
You are encouraged to contact the recruitment team if you are at all unsure about your tattoos and we will advise you wherever possible.
You can do this by emailing us.
Contact usYou have to be able to conduct your role and responsibilities impartially and effectively. This means if you are currently, or have even been, associated with any group, society or individuals that could reasonably represent a conflict of interest, then you will not be eligible to apply.
You will need to declare any other employment or business interest you have and intend to maintain so that this can be reviewed to ensure no conflict of interest.
You will not normally be eligible for appointment as a Police Officer if you hold any other office or employment for hire or gain, or if you carry on any business in addition to being a Police Officer.
Our employees may encounter situations that can be stressful, traumatic and at times, physically confrontational. Our people can work long hours and cover rotating shifts, so the role can be physically and mentally demanding. Therefore, it is important our employees are in good health to be able to undertake their duties safely.
To ensure we can support our employees’ wellbeing, we’ll ask you to provide relevant details of your health and medical history in accordance with any questions we have to ask during the application process.