How to Pass the Police Online Assessment Centre (OAC) 2026

Landing a role as a Police Constable in the UK is one of the most rewarding career moves you can make—but the selection process is notoriously rigorous.
To secure your place, you must navigate the national recruitment pipeline managed by the College of Policing. For most candidates, the biggest hurdle is the Online Assessment Centre (OAC).
If you are preparing for your assessments this year, here is everything you need to know about the 4-stage recruitment process, the technology you will use, and how to pass the OAC on your first attempt.

The 4-Stage National Recruitment Pipeline

Stage 1: The National Application

Your journey begins by submitting your initial application directly to your chosen police force. At this stage, you will select your entry pathway (such as the PCEP or PCDA), input your qualifications, and undergo basic eligibility checks regarding your age, nationality, financial history, and residency.

Stage 2: The National Sifting (SJT)

If your application meets the baseline criteria, you will be invited to the national online sift. This consists of two main elements:
Situational Judgement Test (SJT): You will be presented with realistic policing scenarios and asked to choose the most effective and least effective actions.
Behavioural Style Questionnaire: This assesses your typical work patterns and personality traits to ensure they align with public service values.

Stage 3: The Online Assessment Centre (OAC)

This is the core of the selection process. The OAC is a virtual assessment day designed to test your competencies under pressure. It evaluates how well you match the national Competency and Values Framework (CVF).

Stage 4: In-Force Final Interview & Checks

Passing the OAC puts you on the home straight. Your chosen force will invite you to a final in-force interview (often a professional discussion or panel interview). Once passed, you will move to the final condition checks: medical assessments, the 5.4 bleep test, and comprehensive vetting.

Inside the OAC: What to Expect on the Day

The OAC does not test your knowledge of the law; it tests your potential to be a great police officer. The exercises are hosted virtually and generally consist of three main exercises:

• The Competency-Based Interview: A structured video interview where you will answer questions about how you have handled specific situations in the past.
• The Written Exercise: You will assume the role of a police employee and process an influx of information (such as emails, witness statements, or memos) to produce a clear, written report or action plan.
• The Briefing Exercise: You will be given a preparation window to read through a detailed scenario involving a local community issue. You must then deliver a recorded verbal briefing outlining your response strategy and answer follow-up questions.

Mastering the Tech: Navigating the Tazio Platform

The OAC is delivered digitally via a specialised assessment platform called Tazio. Understanding the technology is half the battle.

• The Test Environment: Tazio relies on your webcam and microphone to record your responses. When an interview question appears on screen, a countdown timer will begin, and the platform will automatically record your face and voice.
• No Second Chances: For the recorded video elements, you generally only get one take. Once the recording starts, you cannot pause, rewind, or restart.
• System Checks: Do not leave your technical setup until the morning of the exam. Log into the platform early to complete the mandatory system checks. Ensure your internet connection is stable, your browser is fully updated, and your camera and microphone have explicit permissions to record.

Strict Rules: The Zero-Tolerance Policies

Because the OAC is taken remotely from your home, the College of Policing employs strict integrity measures to prevent cheating. Violating these rules results in an automatic, immediate disqualification:

• No Second Devices: Keep smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches completely out of sight and turned off. The platform uses advanced monitoring, and any indication that you are looking at a second screen can flag your test for review.
• No Pre-Prepared Scripts: While you are allowed a blank piece of paper and a pen to make quick notes during your preparation time, you must not read from a pre-written script. Assessors are trained to spot the lack of natural eye contact, rigid speech patterns, and the sound of rustling paper. Speak naturally and maintain eye contact with your camera.
• A Solitary Environment: You must take the assessment in a quiet, private room entirely by yourself. If another person walks into the frame or their voice is picked up by your microphone, your session will be terminated.

Top Tips to Pass the OAC First Time

• Study the CVF: Download the College of Policing Competency and Values Framework (Level 1). Every single marksheet used by the assessors maps directly to these competencies (e.g., Emotionally Aware, Taking Ownership, Collaborative). Use these exact keywords in your answers.
• Use the STAR Method: When answering interview questions, structure your stories using STAR: Situation (10%), Task (10%), Action (70%), and Result (10%). Focus heavily on the Action—the assessors need to know what you specifically said and did, not what your team did.
• Watch the Clock: Time management is the number one reason candidates fail the written and briefing exercises. Keep a strict eye on the on-screen timers on the Tazio platform so you don't run out of time mid-sentence.

Ready to find your local force and start your application? Head over to the All Police Jobs Vacancy Board Board to discover live entry-level roles open near you today.

Read more...