The Metropolitan Police Service occupies a unique position in the history of policing, and is today recognised as one of the finest police services in the world. It is the largest police force in the UK and London's largest single employer, responsible for policing a 21st century London that is more populous, dynamic and multicultural than ever before.
The force employs around 48,000 Police Officers, Police Staff, Traffic Wardens, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and volunteers, who together form a wider policing family that looks after 7.2 million people, over an area of 620 square miles. The MPS budget - of £2.9 billion - represents nearly a third of the total national police expenditure, with workforce costs (including pensions) accounting for nearly 80% of that spend.

London’s diverse mix of nationalities, faiths and cultures makes for an interesting and often exciting place to live and work. It also presents the Met with a unique – and uniquely rewarding – set of challenges.

The role of the uniformed ‘beat’ officers is fundamentally important to the MPS’s work but there is a wide range of specialist functions that enhance their role. The work is exceptionally varied and unpredictable; you could join one of over twenty specialist departments from the Drugs Directorate to Homicide and Serious Crimes Command to the Art and Antiquities Unit.

Joining the Metropolitan Police Service you will have a rewarding job with no two days the same, be constantly challenged and always learning, you’ll be valued in the community and have continual opportunity for advancement as well as a generous benefits and pension scheme.

The Metropolitan Police is always looking to hire the best people - and that includes the best graduates. A role in the police service may not be the first thought for Oxbridge graduates, but ask yourself; why not? The current Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair is a Christ Church, Oxford graduate, while Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick is a graduate of Balliol.

Simon Marshall, the Met's Director of Recruitment, has said:
"We need to ensure that we are attracting the best people. Currently we don't have as many graduates as we'd like compared to what is available in the current market. This may be because there are misconceptions about what is available in the Met for graduates. We want to address this and make people aware of the excellent opportunities on offer."

The Met seeks high calibre individuals from any discipline. For all routes, you will need to be on course to gain at least a 2nd class degree and will have good communication skills, a real interest in helping others as well as sensitivity to the various communities and people you will encounter. An analytical mind, a passion for policing, and an ambitious approach towards your career also help.

The Met – more than you think. To find out more please visit the Met’s dedicated graduate recruitment website at www.metgraduates.co.uk and learn about the diverse opportunities available.