Promotion Application & Coaching
Expert guidance and support to help you succeed in your police promotion journey
Thinking about promotion?
Preparing for promotion can feel daunting — especially if it’s been years since your last interview or you’re tackling a competency-based application for the first time. This is your chance to take a big step forward in your career, and we’re here to help you make the most of it.
Whether you’re applying for Sergeant, Inspector, or a lateral move within the service, our Promotion Application & Coaching service is designed to give you the confidence, clarity, and preparation you need to succeed.
Support tailored to your needs
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. We understand that everyone’s experience and confidence level is different — so we tailor our support to match where you are now and where you want to be.
- Never written a competency-based application before? We’ll walk you through it, step-by-step.
- Nervous about interviews? We’ll help you prepare thoroughly and practice in a safe, supportive environment.
- Need expert feedback? We’ll review your work and help you polish it to the highest standard.
Katie Allen
Detective Chief Inspector Katie Allen leads our promotion application and coaching service, with over a decade of experience in frontline and specialist policing roles. Her background spans offender management, safeguarding, public order, and complex investigations. As a qualified assessor, accredited coach, and College of Policing mentor, she is passionate about helping officers succeed — whether preparing for promotion, navigating interviews, or building confidence in their policing career.
What we offer
You can choose one or both of the following services depending on what stage you’re at:
Promotion Application Form Checking
We’ll review your application form, provide detailed feedback, and give you a final check-over before submission. This helps ensure you meet the competency requirements and present your experience in the strongest possible way.
Coaching for Promotion Interview
A structured 6-hour coaching package to prepare you for your interview. Includes:
- Initial 2-hour session to understand your strengths and areas for development
- Ongoing coaching sessions tailored to your role and experience
- Mock interview practice with personalised feedback
What our customers say about us
NJ – Lateral Move, Katie’s help
‘I just wanted to take this opportunity to let you know what a great advisor / mentor you have in Katie. I cannot thank Katie enough for her incredible assistance and advice.
Without her exceptional application and interview preparation, I truly believe I wouldn’t have landed my new job. I’d spent nearly two decades in a highly specialized role, and when I decided to change direction in my career, I was convinced I had no transferable skills to offer. I felt stuck and unsure of how to move forward.
Katie completely turned that around for me. She took the time to understand my background and helped me recognize the value of my experience. With her guidance, I learned how to adapt my knowledge of the National Decision-Making Model and risk management skills into strengths that applied to a new field. She gave me the confidence and tools to present myself in a way that showcased my potential, not just my past.
Katie’s support was a game-changer. Her insight and encouragement made all the difference, and I’m now thriving in a career I never thought I could achieve. She’s simply brilliant at what she does, and I’d recommend her to anyone looking to take their next step.’
5* Google Review dated March 2025
Chris and Jan from Careers in Blue are outstanding professionals who guide you through the police recruitment process with clarity, integrity, and structure. Their approach is professional - they don’t just give you information, they ensure you truly understand it.
They comprehensively explain the core values and competencies of a police officer. Their ability to break these down with real examples means you don’t waste time repeating questions or searching for answers that have already been covered by someone. Instead, you are guided through an engaging and thought-provoking journey where these principles are explored, analyzed, and truly understood.
Importantly, they uphold the highest ethical standards. Their integrity as former police officers means they will never disclose actual questions or give you pre-prepared answers - and that’s exactly what makes their strategy so effective. They stimulate your critical thinking, ensuring that by the time you reach the National Sift, Online Assessment Centre, and Final Interview, you are equipped with a genuine understanding of policing values rather than rehearsed responses and cliches.
What makes their approach even more valuable is how well they break down and explain the entire recruitment process. They will direct you to force's web resources, initiatives, and strategies that are publicly available so you can conduct your research - your own initiative is the most vital part of the process. If you are naturally curious and investigative, their guidance will help you get to the core of what makes a successful candidate. You won’t be spoon-fed answers - instead, they challenge your thinking so you can develop the skills and mindset required for success. Their strategy works. They helped me from the ground up, even teaching me about the importance of dress code and body language - things I had never seen as crucial but now recognize as essential. Their Start to Finish Workbook was a game-changer in my initial preparation. The free weekly chat sessions and "Tip of the Week" providing constant support and clarification throughout the process.
Unlike other consultants (I won’t mention names out of ethical considerations), Chris and Jan don’t just train you to pass the whole recruitment - they prepare you to embody the qualities of a police officer. Their method is structured, insightful, and based on real policing values. If you are serious about this career and want to be fully prepared, confident, and informed, Careers in Blue is brilliant team to trust to.
Bogdana -awaiting to join Hertfordshire Police PCEP process.
5* Google Review Dated April 2025
I can’t recommend this service enough.
The support through a very daunting and lengthy recruitment process has been absolutely second to none.
This is incredible and fair value for money and I would recommend anyone embarking on the process to invest in this.
The workbook is also an excellent tool and resource and Jan and Chris also offer free services.
They have answered any questions that I have had throughout this process and really helped in terms of preparation. Thank you again🫶🏼
RN - application for Police Scotland Control Centre
5* Google Review dated March 2025
5* Google Review dated February 2025
Jan and Chris were amazing! They have expert knowledge in each stage of the police recruitment process.
They were informative and the online sessions were fantastic. They gave me hints, tips and advice on how to pass each stage.
They gave me step by step guidance on the expectations required for the different elements of the recruitment.
They were also flexible on their online sessions, if I was unable to attend a set session, they were happy to adapt it and change the day/time.
I wouldn’t have been able to pass the recruitment stages without their support.
Their book is also an essential resource as it has everything you need with scenarios and model questions/answers.
I thoroughly recommend using Careers in Blue. Thank you Jan and Chris
Seb - awaiting to join Gloucestershire Police PCDA process
5* Google Review dated February 2025
Absolutely amazing service! I passed my sift, online assessment and my day two assessment day with the help of Careers In Blue.
They are so so so helpful and they cover everything you need to know to be able to pass. I honestly couldn’t have done it without them.
Their book is also super handy and also covers everything you need to know.
I definitely recommend using Careers In Blue!
Attend the workshops and purchase their book and you’re guaranteed a pass 🙂 they also have free weekly evening chats if you have any questions or need some extra help with some bits, which was so helpful as well 🙂
I couldn’t have done it without Jan and Chris! Thank you so much guys!!! Xx
Frances- awaiting to join Metropolitan Police PCEP process.
5* Google Review dated February 2025
I came across the lovely and knowledgeable Jan and Chris through a quick google search.
They are the most approachable and friendliest of people, who put me at ease from the get go.
No pushy messages or hard sell tactics from them, just genuine ladies with a wealth of experience.
They were always on hand to answer a quick question or put my mind at ease.
Their courses are second to none , full of factual and quality information that prepped me and gave me confidence to pass all my assessments and interview for the PCEP route with Cheshire.
A million thanks guys x
Donna - awaiting to join Cheshire Police PCEP process.
5* Google Review dated January 2025
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional service provided by Jan and Chris.
Thanks to their guidance and support, I was able to successfully pass not only the National Sift and OAC assessments, but also the final interview.
Their continuous encouragement, constructive feedback, and unwavering support were instrumental in helping me navigate each stage of the process.
I highly recommend purchasing the Careers in Blue workbook if you haven't already!
It offers valuable tips and insights that would make a significant difference to your preparation.
In addition to their paid services, they offer free services such as Tuesday chats which were incredibly helpful because they provided extra support and opportunities to ask questions or simply enjoy a friendly conversation! Once again, thank you!
Heidi- awaiting to join Norfolk Police PCEP process.
5* Google Review dated December 2024
I reached out to Careers In Blue to get some help with my application process for the police.
Jan and Chris were so kind and extremely helpful, spending hours with me going over what I needed to prep for.
They were also always available to chat via social media, giving me tips and tricks but also helped me with my nerves.
I would highly recommend using their services and also purchasing any of their books! Jan and Chris are the loveliest people, I couldn’t thank them enough
Jess - awaiting to join Surrey Police PCEP process.
5* Google Review dated October 2024
I cannot recommend Careers in Blue enough. Chris and Jan have been fantastic throughout.
With their help I was able to pass the SIFT, Online Assessment Centre and my In Force Interview.
Coupled with their informative online sessions, their handbook "Police Recruitment Start to Finish" was a great additional resource to have.
Without their help, there is no way I would not have been as successful as I have been.
Best of all, I found that is I ever had a question they always had time to provide a response which helped me no end.
I would strongly recommend Careers in Blue for anyone looking to join a Police Force or moving within one.
Ryan - awaiting to join Nottinghamshire Police PCDA - Detective Entry
5* Google Review - Dated October 2024
Chris and jan are the best pair of people ever to help you get where you need to be.
Always on hand to help and give you advice the prices are so worth every penny.
Not to mention the Police Recruitment Start to Finish Workbook and Free Services too. Thank you
Hollie - awaiting to join Dyfed Powys Police PCDA Entry
5* Google review dated August 2024
Amazing and so so helpful. Lovely and Welcoming Members of Staff! Really helped with Understanding how to use efficient techniques when answering Questions. Highly Reccomend😁 …
Paige - Awaiting to join Durham Police PCDA Entry
5* Google Review - Dated August 2024
I can't recommend Careers In Blue enough! I successfully passed the online assessments and my interview first time after doing 4 workshops and a mock interview with Jan and Chris, as well as using their workbook which was extremely helpful.
They were both very informative and supportive of my journey going into the police and my confidence has been boosted incredibly.
I would highly reccomend Careers In Blue to anyone who is wanting to join the police!
Grace - awaiting to join Northumbria Police PCDA Entry
5* Google Review - Dated July 2024
Careers in blue were helpful in my application. I took advantage of the courses to help past the sift, and brought their recruitment start to finish book.
This was really helpful for setting out what the process would be and making sure I understand it.
Chris and Jan are really friendly on the sessions and check in via email / optional weekly free call to make sure you are feeling good about the process.
Chloe - awaiting to join West Mercia Police - Detective Entry
5* Google Review Dated May 2024
Careers in blue is a fantastic service that will undoubtedly help you through the whole of the recruiting process.
Jan and Chris will help you through every step of the journey giving you all the skills you need to succeed.
I would recommend getting the workbook which has everything you need for each process of recruitment.
They also offer free services every week so make use of them! I couldn’t recommend this service enough.
Charlie - Awaiting to join Durham Police PCDA entry
5* Google Review - Dated October 2023
My university provided us with the careers in blue work books and paid Chris and Jan to come in for a few sessions regarding the police recruitment process.
I had personally struggled with the recruitment assessments and had failed both parts previously, however, after having 1 to 1 sessions over teams with Chris and Jan, as well as completing some SIFT practice questions and mock interview questions, I was able to pass with flying colours!
I would highly recommend their service to anyone and would go as far as to say that their input was paramount to me passing my recruitment process.
Lexi - Joined Cumbria Police Professional Policing Degree Entry
5* Google Review - Dated June 2024
Careers in blue have massively helped me through the recruitment stage, through the OAC and my final interview.
The support and guidance from carers in blue is 10/10.
I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in pursuing a career in policing.
Aaron - Joined Merseyside Police Professional Policing Degree Entry
5 * Google Review - Dated May 2024
Chris and Jan helped my through the recruitment process as a Special Constable.
They made the whole process much more understandable and gave me great insights and support.
They even went above and beyond to help me out at short notice for my final interview.
Would definitely recommend.
Lesley - Joined Northumbria Special Constabulary
5* Google Review - Dated May 2024
Thanks to Jan and Chris for helping me crush every single aspect of the application process.
I used them for all three tests up to and including the senior interview and passed every stage with ease.
I can undoubtedly say that without their involvement and detailed prep then it is highly doubtful that I would have scored as highly as I did.
They are patient and kind and truly invested in your success.
I’d also recommend that you look at their book as well as that is a great supplement to the whole process.
Highly highly recommended!
Richard - awaiting to join Sussex Police - Detective Entry
Let’s talk about your future
We’re here to help and answer any question you might have. We look forward to hearing from you