Joining the Police
Discussion
Slightly off topic but thought this would be the best forum...
I am currently completing an application for Essex Police to join as a Police Officer. Could any PH-Officers provide any advice that would best place me for getting through this initial stage?
I am 23 having left University last year (Criminology & Sociology)- I now have a years expeience of working in a local Government Community Safety Team as an officer.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
I am currently completing an application for Essex Police to join as a Police Officer. Could any PH-Officers provide any advice that would best place me for getting through this initial stage?
I am 23 having left University last year (Criminology & Sociology)- I now have a years expeience of working in a local Government Community Safety Team as an officer.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!
Getting through papersift can be a nightmare especially if the application is the same as when i applied a few years ago (3).
All i can suggest is take your time and read the questions properly, dont waffle.
Is the form still alot on diversity where you have to give examples of when you have diffused a situation etc.
Also remember that you need to answer the Q's as a civilian, alot of people try and give what they think are police answers rather than answering as a civilian if you see what i mean.
Gareth
All i can suggest is take your time and read the questions properly, dont waffle.
Is the form still alot on diversity where you have to give examples of when you have diffused a situation etc.
Also remember that you need to answer the Q's as a civilian, alot of people try and give what they think are police answers rather than answering as a civilian if you see what i mean.
Gareth
Not sure what a "Government Community Safety Team" is - but if you have access to police officers I would advise you seek out someone who joined recently as they will know the latest info.
I joined up 7 years ago and things have changed a fair bit, but the latest process I know about is as follows. You have to get through the initial sift of applications, again a local officer or Sergeant can help you with that maybe. Then you will have to do the national police exam - this is quite a simple exam and although some people can be caught out by it a recent graduate of university will be ok. Following this you will go onto full assessment where you will carry out a phys and interview. Our force also does role plays before the interview stage. This is the tricky bit - a lot of good lads fail the interview / role play stage for many different reasons. Most often its lack of life experience or lack of common sense. If you pass the interview and your vetting is ok you will be offered a position and go onto do your basic training.
For the physical I would make sure you train hard, you don’t want to just scrape through - you want to shine as a fit person who easily passes the test. You need to do both cardio and weights.
During role plays you will probably be in a small group, the instructors will be looking for someone who is a problem solver and leader but also a team player. They will be looking for people with good communications and respect for culture / ethnicity etc. Very difficult to try and balance all that together!!
For the interview you will be asked some classical interview "HR" style questions about confrontation, problems, risks, successes and failures. But also be prepared to be asked questions about the local area and force history etc.
Best of luck!
I joined up 7 years ago and things have changed a fair bit, but the latest process I know about is as follows. You have to get through the initial sift of applications, again a local officer or Sergeant can help you with that maybe. Then you will have to do the national police exam - this is quite a simple exam and although some people can be caught out by it a recent graduate of university will be ok. Following this you will go onto full assessment where you will carry out a phys and interview. Our force also does role plays before the interview stage. This is the tricky bit - a lot of good lads fail the interview / role play stage for many different reasons. Most often its lack of life experience or lack of common sense. If you pass the interview and your vetting is ok you will be offered a position and go onto do your basic training.
For the physical I would make sure you train hard, you don’t want to just scrape through - you want to shine as a fit person who easily passes the test. You need to do both cardio and weights.
During role plays you will probably be in a small group, the instructors will be looking for someone who is a problem solver and leader but also a team player. They will be looking for people with good communications and respect for culture / ethnicity etc. Very difficult to try and balance all that together!!
For the interview you will be asked some classical interview "HR" style questions about confrontation, problems, risks, successes and failures. But also be prepared to be asked questions about the local area and force history etc.
Best of luck!
Prior to joining Sussex in April this year I spent a lot of time researching the job to make sure it was what I wanted. I spoke at length with as many officers I could find, mainly via PH, but also with 3 officers local to me. This gave me a good understanding of the recruitment process, and meant I was a step ahead of many people in my intake when it came to starting.
Do Essex run any pre-assessment days? My force does, and I found it very useful. As has been said before, speaking to a new Essex recruit would probably give the best insight on the process. I organised a ridealong (day out shadowing response officers) - your local officers may be able to arrange this for you.
Fraser Sampson's Preparing For Police Duty is an excellent read, as are the forums at www.policeuk.com, which is populated by people in your position, so there are bound to be others filling out Essex applications that you can chat to.
Whilst I did my assessment nearly two years ago (it took Sussex that long to process most of my intake!) I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have on the assessment process. For the most part they are similar across all forces.
Please feel free to mail me if you have any questions at all, and the best advice I can give is to research the job as much as you can, because the realities of it can catch people out.
Do Essex run any pre-assessment days? My force does, and I found it very useful. As has been said before, speaking to a new Essex recruit would probably give the best insight on the process. I organised a ridealong (day out shadowing response officers) - your local officers may be able to arrange this for you.
Fraser Sampson's Preparing For Police Duty is an excellent read, as are the forums at www.policeuk.com, which is populated by people in your position, so there are bound to be others filling out Essex applications that you can chat to.
Whilst I did my assessment nearly two years ago (it took Sussex that long to process most of my intake!) I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have on the assessment process. For the most part they are similar across all forces.
Please feel free to mail me if you have any questions at all, and the best advice I can give is to research the job as much as you can, because the realities of it can catch people out.
insanojackson said:
Not many people getting recruited at the min.
Lots of PSCO jobs though ; I see adverts for that everywhere.
insanojackson said:
Tony Blairs crime fighting fund cash is all spent and some forces are actually reducing the number of cops!!!!
Good luck tho!
Er... Tony Bliar's fund ? It's our money that **** has wasted.
Good riddance to the crime fighting fund. Boy did we recruit some thick feckers a few years back. Thankfully most have now been kicked out or have transferred to the Met. (Runs for cover!).
Seriously though, unless you weigh in excess of 30 stone, don't worry about the fitness test. It is a total joke. It has a pass rate of about 98% and frankly my Gran could pass it.
Again, I joined 10 years ago so it's a bit different now. Best advice I'd give is to speak to someone who has just been through it.
Seriously though, unless you weigh in excess of 30 stone, don't worry about the fitness test. It is a total joke. It has a pass rate of about 98% and frankly my Gran could pass it.
Again, I joined 10 years ago so it's a bit different now. Best advice I'd give is to speak to someone who has just been through it.
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