Recruitment procedure
Recruitment procedures have been modernised, to make a career in the police accessible to as many people as possible. The competitive examination procedure has been adapted to align it with the procedures used in most other Luxembourg government departments.
The competitive examination for candidates wishing to join the police now consists of the following two parts:
- a general aptitude test organised by the Civil Service: a test organised at regular intervals for all candidates wishing to pursue a career with the State (new "Staatsexamen"). Dates for the general aptitude test are published on the GovJobs website.
- A special examination organised by the Police, including in particular:
- an eliminatory sports test (video);
- language tests in French and German in a digital format as well as a general knowledge test in German and French;
- an eliminatory psychological test;
- an interview in Luxembourgish.
Please note that some tests are eliminatory, others are used to establish a ranking. For more detailed information on the composition of these tests, please visit our recruitment FAQ.
Candidates who have passed the special test are definitively admitted to the internship within the limit of the number of vacancies and according to the ranking and after the visit of the occupational physician and the character investigation.
Since the first part of the competitive examination is the same for all candidates who wish to work for the national administration in a certain salary group, all candidates who have passed one of the recent general aptitude tests have the opportunity to apply for the special test to become a police officer.
Eligibility criteria for the special examination
To be admissible for the special examination the candidate must:
- have passed the general aptitude test required by Article 5bis of the amended Grand-Ducal Regulation of 30 September 2015, establishing the terms and conditions relating to registering for and organising competitive admission examinations for placements in State administrations and departments;
- have Luxembourgish nationality;
- have a personal appearance in keeping with performing the duties and wearing the uniform. Body modifications, such as scarification or incision, branding, stretching and tattoos, whether permanent or temporary, may not indicate membership of any political, trade union or confessional organisation or association, nor may they violate the duties of discretion, loyalty and exemplariness, especially where the body modifications are visible to the public;
- provide a medical certificate from a doctor of their choice, dated within the last two months, certifying that the candidate is fit to take part in the physical fitness test.
Level of education required: 5 years of classical or general secondary education or the degree of professional ability (diplôme d'aptitude professionnelle - DAP)
Candidates who have passed the special examination will be admitted for placements according to their ranking after the tests and examinations and depending on the number of vacant positions, and following a medical examination (cf. Règlement grand-ducal du 29 juillet 2020 déterminant les modalités de recrutement du personnel policier, Chapter 6 "The medical examination", and Grand-Ducal Regulation of 29 July 2020 determining the procedures for the recruitment of police personnel, Annexes A and B) and a morality enquiry.
These background checks include the consultation of centrally held records. The main offences committed as an adult that may lead to a candidate being refused admission to the placement are:
- regular drug use;
- a record of physical violence (assault) or psychological abuse (threats, insults);
- resisting a police officer;
- failure to obey the orders of a police officer, avoiding Police checks.
Offences from over 3 years ago, and in some cases 5 (depending on their severity), are not taken into consideration.
Training
Recruits receive two years of basic vocational training, which includes a training period at the Police school (Ecole de Police - EP) and a period of practical field training.
At the Police school, the recruits learn policing and security techniques, among other things, and the legal framework that applies to Police tasks and duties. They receive training in general law enforcement and criminal investigation as well as traffic policing. The programme also includes physical education and training in the use of firearms.
The period of practical field training consists of practical placements in police departments, with the criminal investigation department (service de police judiciaire - SPJ) or other units.