Having good eyesight is essential to being an effective police officer for Police Scotland. You will be glad to know that even with corrective surgery or aids, you may still pass the eyesight standard. In more recent years, the strict standards have been dropped, and many Police officers now wear contact lenses or glasses whilst on duty. Even if you are colour blind, you are likely to meet the standards required to become a Police Constable. Specialist roles within policing require different eyesight standards, so bear this in mind throughout your Police Career.
Throughout the police Scotland recruitment process, you should expect to undergo an eyesight assessment at your local opticians and provide evidence of your results. You will have to book an appointment to get your eyes tested. You will also be assessed during your force medical, which is one of the last stages of the recruitment process. Before being appointed to the Police service, you must meet the standards below.
Eyesight standards for Police Officers
Static Visual Acuity
For corrected vision – distance visual acuity must be 6/12 in either eye and 6/6 or better, binocularly. Corrected near static visual acuity must be 6/9 or better, binocularly. If you do not meet this, you can be invited in with a stronger prescription to be retested.
For uncorrected vision – visual acuity must be 6/36 or better, binocularly. Corrected low contrast distance visual acuity must be 6/12 or better for a 10% contrast target, binocularly.
Visual Field
A field of view of at least 120 degrees horizontally by 100 degrees vertically is required to pass the eyesight test. The field of view should be free of any large defective areas, especially in the fovea. Single defects smaller than the physiological blind spot or multiple defects that add up to a size smaller than the physiological blind spot can be acceptable.
Colour Vision
Unfortunately, monochromats will be rejected, but mild anomalous trichromats can be accepted and treated as normal. Severe anomalous trichromats and dichromats are also acceptable. If you show a lowered discrimination for blue colours, you should be referred to an ophthalmologist for further assessment. The examination must also include a measure of your dark adaptation performance.
Glasses and contact lenses
Correction glasses or contact lenses must be worn (if needed) to achieve 6/6 binocularly. Corrective wear is acceptable for the role of an operational Police Constable.
Eye surgery
The following surgeries are acceptable – PRK, LASIK, LASEK, ICRS, cataract surgery as long as there is no weakening of the cornea. You should allow at least six weeks after surgery before applying to Police Scotland and going through the application process.
As there may be a reduction in low light level visual performance after surgery, applicants should test their visual performance under low illuminance conditions. The following surgeries are not allowed – Radial Keratotomy (RK), Arcuate Keratotomy (AK), corneal grafts and any other surgical procedures that weaken the cornea. This is because there could be a higher risk of corneal rupture if the eye is struck.
Further detailed guidance can be found on the Police Scotland website.
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