That site does give you some good information but if you decide to join the Police, you will have to be prepared to spend several years as a 'beat bobby'. You mentioned detective so I'm assuming you'd like to get into CID? Police Officers have to apply for CID jobs when vacancies come along - it's not a department you would normally be promoted into (unless promotion through ranks) and they are very popular! There are many other areas you could specialise in - after your probation, but if you're serious about joining then take one step at a time. No specific qualifications needed but you will need to pass a series of tests. You need to be completely open minded and have no prejudisms and you'll need to be very disciplined. If you're not already fit then get running! Pay usually increases by about �1000 per year and Police pay rises each year have been no less than 3% so far (in addition to the �1000). Police are no longer low paid and with the overtime available, most officers having been in for 5 years are earning approx. �30,000 per year - not bad if you're only 23. Can be very rewarding if you have the right attitude. Good luck.