Exam success for prospective sergeants in South Yorkshire

A THIRD of South Yorkshire Police officers who took the second stage of this year’s promotion to sergeant exams have been successful, the College of Policing has revealed.

A total of 33% of hopeful constables (23 candidates) passed the 2016 NPPF Step Two Sergeants’ Legal Examination in March.

The exam tests candidates’ knowledge of evidence and procedure, crime, road policing and general police duties.

It is a multiple choice exam, with 150 questions on law, evidence and procedure relevant to the role of sergeant. The examination is the second step of the promotion system used by police forces within England and Wales for promotion.

The force with the highest pass rate was Bedfordshire Police – where with 23 successful candidates (59%) of officers passed. They were followed by Thames Valley Police (55%) and Merseyside Police (53%).

The highest pass rate was achieved by the youngest candidates. Those between the age of 21 and 25 had a 46% pass rate, while just 29% of those in the 41 and over category were successful. The average age of the candidates was 36.

Those with a higher degree of academic attainment were also more likely to pass the exam. Candidates with postgraduate qualification achieved the highest pass rate – at 56% – while just 26% of those with no formal qualification passed.

And detectives also fared better in the paper. Candidates who stated their area of work as CID achieved the highest pass rate – at 45%. Traffic officers were least successful, with 24% of road policing specialists passing the test.

In total, 3,858 constables took the exam on 8 March at 92 test centres across England and Wales.