Applying to join the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) as an Authorised Firearms Officer at Dounreay means you will have the time to enjoy your outdoor pursuits between shifts, alongside enjoying a rewarding policing career which will provide you opportunities to develop and specialise at this unique location.
If you are looking for a new professional challenge or career development within the policing family, Dounreay offers a serene and fulfilling way of life to those seeking both adventure and tranquillity. Located not too far from Thurso, one of the two major towns in Caithness, Dounreay is home to one of our Operational Policing Units and a has its own first-class firearms training facility.
The CNC is an armed police service dedicated to the nuclear industry. Our vision is to be recognised nationally and internationally as the United Kingdom’s leading organisation for the provision of protective policing for the civil nuclear industry and other critical national infrastructure. Given the critical nature of our work, it’s vital that we recruit skilled and committed professionals to our team.
To find out more about what it means to be an Authorised Firearms Officer,, which will help to inform your understanding of exactly what the role entails.
Our role in protecting the nation’s security is unique, which is why being a CNC Police Officer is about so much more than traditional policing. You’ll become part of a highly trained, well-disciplined, and professional team working from our Operational Units as part of a team to provide 24/7 armed response; patrolling and protecting nuclear sites, facilities and materials, as well as patrolling in the local communities and working with local Home Office Police Forces. We play a key role in the Strategic Armed Policing Reserve and have been deployed across the country as part of Operation Temperer in response to terrorist attacks.
Your standard working hours will normally include a 4 day or night 12-hour shift pattern for our officers (4 days/nights on and 4 days/nights off). This shift pattern is considered one of the most desirable in the policing world and offers an excellent work/life balance.
As a CNC officer, you will also have dedicated time allocated within your working hours to train and maintain your fitness levels.
We appreciate that relocating can be a significant financial undertaking, often involving costs for travel and setting up a new home. To ease this transition, we are offering a payment of up to £5,000 in relocation support. This assistance is designed to help make the move more manageable and each case is assessed individually to ensure the support provided reflects the specific needs and circumstances of each applicant.
Your training will be a 19-week residential Initial Foundation Programme (IFP) which will include our world-class comprehensive Authorised Firearms training; we give our officers everything they need to become some of the most highly trained firearms professionals in the country, so there’s no need for you to have any prior policing experience when joining us.
Your training will take place at one of our centres and we will aim to train you at a venue which best aligns with your circumstances, particularly in relation to your relocation for the role. The CNC is committed to offering at least one local course each year, held exclusively in Caithness —except for the first week, which takes place in Oxfordshire. We will contact you to discuss as you progress through the recruitment process.
After you have completed your training and your 2-year probationary period, you’ll be eligible to apply for a role in one of our specialist areas to enhance your policing skills further, such as Dog Handler, Special Branch, Firearms Instructor or Strategic Escort Group Officer.
As police officers the public expect us to display the highest standards, values and professional qualities at all times. The CNC values and Code of Ethics applies to all police officers and sets out the principles standards of behaviour we expect to see, and you are responsible for displaying and delivering to the highest standards.
Applicants must be 18 years old and have a full manual driving licence.
Benefits of working for the CNC:
1. 25 days (200 hours) per year annual leave, plus bank holidays - increasing to 26 days (208 hours) after 6 years service, 27 days (216 hours) after 7 years service, 28 days (224 hours) after 8 years service, 29 days (232 hours) after 9 years service and up to 30 days (224 hours) after ten years service.
2. Generous pension scheme, compromised of an 8.2% personal contribution and a 20.7% employer contribution. On our starting salary, this is approx. £750.53 per month!
3. Your starting salary as a Police Constable will be £31,164 which increases after successful completion of your 2 year probation to £32,472.
4. Every year thereafter, you have the opportunity to reach the next pay point, attaining our highest pay point for Police Constables within 7 years of joining us, which is £50,256.
5. Free parking at all sites.
6. Free gym at some sites.
7. Enhanced family friendly and wellbeing policies, which include but are not limited to providing paid parental and adoption leave, as well as shared parental leave.
8. Cycle to Work scheme.
9. Officers and staff also have the opportunity to join the national Blue Light Card scheme which offers discounts on a variety of products and services to those working in the emergency services, NHS, and Armed Forces.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At the CNC, we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.
Through the dedicated commitment of our affinity networks, ED&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our ED&I commitments, ensuring the CNC is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.
If your application is successful, you will be required to be vetted to national standards according to our requirements. If you'd like to understand more about this process, please review the video links below which provide an overview of the vetting process:
10. Vetting: An Overview -
11. Vetting and Finances -
12. Vetting and Life Experiences -
13. Vetting and Internet Use -
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with us at