The state government announces:
The oath of service is a milestone in the career of every police officer. By swearing allegiance to the Basic Law and the constitution of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, young police officers commit themselves to the free and democratic basic order. Around 3,000 trainee inspectors and trainee government inspectors took their oath of office on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. As is tradition, the central swearing-in ceremony took place in Cologne's LANXESS Arena with around 12,000 guests and family members. In their speeches, Minister President Hendrik Wüst and Interior Minister Herbert Reul paid tribute to the special responsibility that the new recruits assume for the rule of law.
Minister President Hendrik Wüst: "The sworn-in police officers will provide a daily service to their fellow human beings and our democracy. With great personal commitment, they ensure that the rule of law applies - and not the law of the jungle. The young police officers can rely on the backing of the state government. We are united by the goal of ensuring that people in North Rhine-Westphalia can feel safe at all times and in all places."
Interior Minister Herbert Reul: "The police profession is not just any job, but a democratic mission. Police officers ensure that the law is enforced. We need this above all in times when people's trust in democracy and the rule of law is declining. When the political fringes are growing, we have to prove that our state works and that people can rely on us. This also includes providing security: on the street, at the city festival or in front of the synagogue. Trust in the police is high. And this trust is in every uniform, it's in the police car and in the cap. This trust is a burden, but it is also a treasure."
The police have been successfully recruiting new recruits for years. Around 11,000 young people apply every year. This makes the police one of the most popular employers in North Rhine-Westphalia. With the new recruitment year, around 24,000 trainee inspectors have started their career in the police since 2017. The consistently high recruitment figures continue to provide the police force with a broad foundation for the future.
The new recruits are completing various theory modules at the North Rhine-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences for Police and Public Administration (HSPV NRW). The State Office for Training, Further Education and Personnel Affairs of the NRW Police (LAFP NRW) prepares the trainees for their internships in the police authorities in training modules. The mix of theory, training and practice provides students with the necessary tools for the diverse police profession. After the three-year dual study program, a bachelor's degree in police law enforcement is obtained.
The general requirement for application is a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. In addition to the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences, a master craftsman's certificate or at least two years of completed vocational training followed by three years of professional experience are also considered equivalent. In order to enable people with an intermediate level of education to join the police force, the North Rhine-Westphalia police force has been offering the "Fachoberschule Polizei" course at selected vocational colleges for two years.
You can find more information at the following link:
https://www.genau-mein-fall.de/voraussetzungen-bewerbung-polizei-nrw /