Detective jobs in London

Job Introduction

Now Recruiting Police Officers in Central London – Make a Real Difference as Part of a Specialist Force

“BTP truly is a unique police force with a real family feel. We care deeply about what we do; serving the public and supporting our people. Our work matters. If you want to make a real positive difference to millions of people using the network every day, BTP is the place for you.”
– Chris Casey, Divisional Commander, London and South East England

We are recruiting Police Officers within Inner London. Locations include, but are not limited to, stations such as Kings Cross, Euston, Wembley, Croydon, Clapham Junction, West Ham, Waterloo and Stratford.

Please note: You are unable to specify a particular Inner London location, but your posting will be considered in alignment with where you live.

Is this the role for you?

As a Police Officer with the British Transport Police, you will play a vital role in protecting millions of passengers, staff and members of the public. We offer one of the highest starting salaries for Police Constables across England and Wales, alongside an excellent benefits package, professional development opportunities and geographical flexibility.

This role includes a wide variety of duties, from tackling serious and organised crime to addressing graffiti, theft and public reassurance. Your responsibilities will include visible patrols, responding to emergencies, conducting criminal investigations, gathering intelligence and building trust with the communities we serve.

What you will get in return

• Starting salary: £32,472, rising year on year to £50,256 after five years
• London allowances: £8,738 (£5,588 London Allowance plus £3,150 London Weighting) from day one of training
• Oyster card for personal and professional use
• 25 days annual leave, increasing with service
• A highly competitive Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme
• Voucher and incentive schemes, including cycle‑to‑work and a wide range of retail discounts
• Continued investment in learning, supported by in‑house talent and development teams
• Promotion and development opportunities across a range of police specialisms
• Specialist support from Occupational Health and wellbeing services
• Free eyesight tests
• Eligibility for the Blue Light Card
• Membership of the Police Federation from day one
• Support for work‑life balance, including 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, plus a range of other leave options such as carers’ leave, paternity leave and special leave

You will not be eligible to apply if

• If you have been unsuccessful following your application, testing or interview for Police Officer, Special Constable or PCSO, you must await 3 months before reapplying to any of these roles.
• You have been unsuccessful following BTP vetting checks within the last 12 months
• You have ever received a custodial sentence, including suspended sentences
• You have previously been dismissed from another police force or have a live investigation
• You are bankrupt, have a County Court Judgment, or an unmanaged Individual Voluntary Arrangement
• You have tattoos deemed offensive (face and neck tattoos are considered on a case‑by‑case basis)
• You do not have permanent right to live and work in the UK
• You have not resided continuously in the UK for the past three years

What you’ll bring

You do not need prior policing experience. What matters is your motivation to make a difference and your confidence in handling a wide range of situations.

Key qualities include:

• Strong communication skills
• Good judgement and problem‑solving ability
• Empathy and emotional resilience
• The ability to build trust and remain calm under pressure

You will receive full training and ongoing development, with opportunities to specialise in areas such as CID, Counter‑Terrorism and County Lines. Progression is actively supported.

Want to apply?

Applications are completed online.

As part of the process, you will be required to complete a Situational Judgement Test (SJT). If you do not pass the SJT, your application will not progress at this time, though you may reapply once the reapplication period allows.

You are encouraged, though not required, to attend a question‑and‑answer session to learn more about the role and recruitment process.

Please note: This campaign is for new recruits only. Transferees should apply through a transferee‑specific vacancy when available.

Successful applicants will join a conditional offer pool and be considered for opportunities for up to 12 months from the date of their conditional offer.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating a workforce where everyone feels they belong. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and lived experiences. Diversity strengthens our teams and helps us better serve the communities we protect. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

Use of AI in applications

AI can be a useful tool to help organise thoughts or generate ideas, but we want to hear your genuine voice. Personal experiences, authentic motivation and individual insight are what stand out most to us.

Application deadline: Midnight on Sunday 5 July 2026
Please note that this campaign may close early if a high volume of applications is received.

For support or assistance with your application, contact the recruitment team at the BTP recruitment inbox.

Lead with Compassion. Serve with Pride. Join British Transport Police and help shape a safer future.