The regional police directorate in Burgas has opened a contest for 56 jobs, officials there said today. The contest was announced in an order dated September 30, posted on the interior ministry's website on October 1.
Of the open posts, 47 are for "police officer – senior police officer", 6 for junior police inspector and 3 for junior traffic inspector. All posts require initial professional training.
Only Bulgarian citizens with a high school diploma can apply. They must have no convictions for an intentional crime and must not be under indictment or on trial for such a crime. Applicants must be under 41 on the day of the contest. They also need to meet the interior ministry's health standards and pass minimum fitness and psychological checks.
The order does not require English skills. Two weeks ago, prime minister Rumen Radev held a national meeting with interior ministry leaders. He said officers in big cities should speak English so they can talk to foreigners. He also asked for tighter checks on physical fitness. "I see police officers here who can't run 10 meters," Radev said at the time. He wants officers on the street to be fit, in good shape and well presented.
Candidates will take a fitness test, a psychological assessment and then an interview with the contest board. The fitness test includes a standing long jump, a figure-eight run and a flat 800-meter run. Men also do push-ups. Women do sit-ups from a lying position. The tests take place at the Rakovski Sports Complex in Sofia.
The psychological assessment includes an intelligence test, personality questionnaires and other psychological tools. Those who pass the minimum score move on to a one-on-one psychological interview.
The three candidates for junior traffic inspector need a valid category B driving licence or higher, and must show proof of completed first-aid training for road accidents before they are hired. The order sets no such rule for the other two posts. Each applicant can apply for only one of the posts, and no documents are accepted after the deadline.
Applicants must submit documents in person at the human resources department of the Burgas regional police directorate, at 46 Hristo Botev Street, on working days from 2pm to 5pm. The deadline is 15 days from the day after the notice was published, and the whole contest must wrap up within 6 months.
Under the interior ministry's 2026 pay scale, the basic monthly pay is €1,232.63 for "police officer", €1,249.27 for "senior police officer", €1,348.59 for junior police inspector, and between €1,232.63 and €1,249.27 for junior traffic inspector, depending on rank. On top of this, officers get extra pay for years of service, specific duties, night shifts and overtime, so gross pay can be higher.
In January this year, the Burgas regional police directorate opened 74 posts: 63 for "police officer – senior police officer", 6 for traffic inspectors and 5 for junior police inspectors.