Could You Make It in the Metropolitan Police Service?

EMPLOYMENT

By: Zoe Samuel

5 Min Quiz

Image: whitemay / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

The Metropolitan Police Service is the largest police force in the United Kingdom and serves the Greater London area. Populated by approximately 30,000 "bobbies on the beat" and a further 10,000 support staff, the Met is primarily based out of New Scotland Yard, as well as plenty of police stations scattered across London's many boroughs.

Policing a city that is coming up on 10 million residents is no mean feat. Sure, the criminals don't carry guns, meaning the cops don't need them, but there's more to joining the Old Bill than just waving a gun around and "nicking" robbers. You have to memorize a potentially large geographical area within your borough (that's a precinct if you're American). You need to be fit enough to run down a criminal element who are mostly healthy and in their late teens and early 20s. You have to know the law inside out and be ready to apply it with just the right blend of discretion and precision. Most of all, you need to know how to build a relationship with the community you're policing, and how to create a trust which means people see you as the good guy.

Do you have what it takes? Let's find out!

You are in the break room when a BBC newsreader says police have been put on high alert. This is news to you. What do you do?

Advertisement

Could you speak in front of a crowd?

Advertisement

A threat is called in against the State Opening of Parliament. What do you want to do next?

Advertisement

In what uniform do you feel like you are most truly yourself?

Advertisement

What's the longest document you care to read in a typical day?

Advertisement

Can you stay on your feet for hours at a time?

Advertisement

Good policework requires good community relations. How do you maintain them?

Advertisement

Be honest: How many laws do you really remember?

Advertisement

A robber grabs a purse and promptly starts leaping garden fences as he gets away. What are the odds you'll catch him?

Advertisement

When American tourists express surprise that you don't have a gun, how will you react?

Advertisement

Could you honestly swear the oath of loyalty required of all British police?

Advertisement

A six-inch stack of paperwork lands on your desk. How much of it do you get through?

Advertisement

What word best describes your handwriting?

Advertisement

When heading out on the beat, what item would you always take with you?

Advertisement

To which London borough would you most hope to be assigned?

Advertisement

How would you describe your family's view of the police when you were growing up?

Advertisement

If you were to earn a knighthood, what do you hope it would be for?

Advertisement

Of the weapons with which you were born, which comes most naturally?

Advertisement

Be honest: Are you really in this because you want to drive fast with the blue lights on?

Advertisement

Why is it important to have a police service, in your view?

Advertisement

What is the leading quality that makes a good cop?

Advertisement

Which of the many nicknames of the British police suits you the best?

Advertisement

There are many good TV shows about the Met. Which one do you find most accurate?

Advertisement

Which police movie do you hope will literally be your life once you join up?

Advertisement

What policing award do you hope you'll win?

Advertisement

How many years of service do you anticipate putting in?

Advertisement

Do you have any police in your family?

Advertisement

Which kind of crime do you think you would be uniquely qualified to handle?

Advertisement

With what sort of partner would you like to spend your days?

Advertisement

What do you think you bring to the police that is particularly needed?

Advertisement

Explore More Quizzes

About Zoo

Our goal at Zoo.com is to keep you entertained in this crazy life we all live.

We want you to look inward and explore new and interesting things about yourself. We want you to look outward and marvel at the world around you. We want you to laugh at past memories that helped shape the person you’ve become. We want to dream with you about all your future holds. Our hope is our quizzes and articles inspire you to do just that.

Life is a zoo! Embrace it on Zoo.com.