Vision Standards for Police Recruits
Recruitment Area Unaided vision in one eye Unaided vision in 2nd eye Corrected distance vision in each eye. Corrected distance vision binocularly.
Metropolitan PoliceNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
City of London PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Avon and Somerset ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Bedforshire PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Cambridgeshire ConstabularyNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Cheshire ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Cleveland ConstabularyNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Cumbria ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Derbyshire ConstabularyNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Devon and CornwallNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Dorset PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Durham ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Dyfed Powys PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Essex PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Gloucestersire ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Greater Manchester PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Gwent Constabulary PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Hampshire ConstabularyNot less than 6/18 (6/24 age 30+)Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Hertfordshire ConstabularyNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Humberside PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Kent County ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Lancashire ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Leicestershire ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/60 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Licolnshire PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Merseyside PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Norfolk ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Northamptonshire PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Northumbria PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
North Wales PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
North Yorkshire PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Nottinghamshire PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
South Wales ConstabularyNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
South Yorkshire PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Staffordshire PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Suffolk ConstabularyNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Surrey PoliceNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Sussex PoliceNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Thames Valley PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Warwickshire ConstabularyNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
West Mersea PoliceNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
West Midlands PoliceNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/60 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
West Yorkshire PoliceNot less than 6/24Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Wiltshire ConstabularyNot less than 6/18Not less than 6/24 Not less than 6/12Not less than 6/6
Near Vision with approved vision aids should be in accordance with the standard set by the Faculty of Ophthalmologists.
Candidates must be able to distinguish the principal primary colours - red, green, and violet
Applicants are normally required to produce an optometrist's certificate of test issued within 12 months
The following list indicates which forces will accept candidates who have had laser surgery:-
City of London - Provided 2 years has elapsed after surgery.
Avon and Somerset - Provided 1 year has elapsed after surgery.
Cleveland- Provided 1 year has elapsed after surgery.
Durham- Provided 1 year has elapsed after surgery.
Gloucester- Provided 1 year has elapsed after surgery.
Leicester- Provided 1 year has elapsed after surgery.
Northamptonshire- Provided 2 years has elapsed after surgery.
North Yorkshire- Provided 1 year has elapsed after surgery.
South Wales- Provided 1 year has elapsed after surgery.
Staffordhire- Provided 2 years has elapsed after surgery.
Sussex- Provided 6 months has elapsed after surgery.
Thames Valley- Provided a reasonable time has passed.
With the exception of the following forces, the minimum age for appointment as a constable is eighteen and a half.
Metropolitan - Eighteen and 3 months on application
Greater Manchester - Twenty one.
Information issued by the Home Office, Revised July 1998