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Hampshire Police has raised the maximum entry-age for new officers from 44 to 50 in an effort to combat recruitment problems.
Director of personnel Maureen Adamson said the policy was changed because the Hampshire force has "a number of officers aged between 44 and 60 who are very capable and fit".
Adamson said forces across the South-East face recruiting difficulties. In Hampshire alone she estimates 460 new officers are needed in the next year - a record number of vacancies.
She said the increased recruitment age would still offer a good return on the investment needed to train new staff.
"If we get five years out of an officer that is a reasonable return on our investment. If we get 10 years then that is a great return."
