Police Officer in Edinburgh

The British Transport Police are now recruiting Police Officers throughout Scotland. Are you looking for a career where you can truly make a difference? Whether it’s helping people in moments of need, challenging yourself every day, or being part of a caring and supportive team - British Transport Police could be the place for you. Serve and Protect across Scotland's Rail Network - from its vibrant cities to the Highlands.

We’re currently recruiting Police Officers within D Division - Scotland. Locations included in this campaign are Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Stirling. Please note: If your preferred location is not listed, it means we are not currently recruiting in that area. We recommend applying only if you are genuinely committed to one of the advertised locations.

As a Police Officer with the British Transport Police, you’ll play a vital role in protecting millions of passengers, staff, and the public. We offer a competitive starting salary for Police Constables across Scotland, 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 patrolling, 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.
• Oyster card for personal and professional use.
• 25 days holiday, increasing with service.
• A highly competitive Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme.
• Voucher and incentive schemes, such as cycle-to-work as well as a wide range of high street and online discounts.
• Continued investment in learning; supported by our in-house talent & development teams.
• Promotion and development opportunities into different police specialisms.
• Specialist support from our Occupational Health and wellbeing team.
• Free eyesight tests.
• Eligibility for Blue Light Card.
• Become a member of the Police Federation, a national body representing all police officers, through which you can access a range of support from day one.
• We support work-life balance with 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave, plus a variety of other leave options - like special leave, carers leave, paternity leave, and more.

We do need to let you know that you will not be eligible to apply if:

• You have been unsuccessful following interview for the role of a BTP Police Officer or Special Constable within the last 6 months.
• If you have been unsuccessful following your application or online ability testing for Police Officer, Special Constable or PCSO, you must await 6 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; this includes suspended sentences (other cautions, convictions and involvement with the police must be declared during the vetting process but are not necessarily a bar to employment).
• You have previously been dismissed from another force or you currently have a live investigation.
• You have been declared bankrupt, have a CCJ or an un-managed IVA.
• You have tattoos that are deemed offensive; tattoos on face and neck will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• You do not have permanent right to live and work in the UK.
• You have not resided consistently in the UK for the past 3 years.

What You’ll Bring

You don’t need prior policing experience - just the drive to make a difference and the confidence to handle a wide range of situations. Key Qualities Include:

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

You’ll receive full training and continuous development, with opportunities to specialise in areas like CID, Counter-Terrorism, County Lines, and more. Progression isn’t just a possibility - it’s a priority.

Want to apply?

Applying is straightforward, with all applications completed online. As part of the application process, you will be required to complete a Situational Judgement Test (SJT). If you do not pass the SJT, your application will not progress any further at this time. However, you are welcome to reapply in the future once the reapplication period allows. We recommend attending a Q&A session before submitting an application, although this is not compulsory. All available sessions can be found online.

Please note: this campaign is for new recruits only; transferees are not able to apply via this route. If you wish to join the British Transport Police as a transferee, please apply via a transferee-specific advert once available. Please be advised this campaign is for successful applicants to join our conditional offer pool. All successful candidates will remain in the pool and be considered for opportunities for a period of 12 months, starting from the date you receive a conditional offer of employment.

Application deadline: Midnight on Sunday 11th January 2026. Should we receive a high volume of applications, the campaign may close earlier than the advertised deadline. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid missing out.

Require any assistance?

If you have any questions or need support with your application, contact our friendly team at: Lead with Compassion. Serve with Pride. Join British Transport Police and help shape a safer future.