Joining the Police
Discussion
defblade said:
Edited to add: Tell me more about being a Special, as well, please. Maybe it'd be possible with family support... which my better half just instantly offered me 
I can't comment on the direct entry as I don't know anything about it. I think were looking at it though. Edited by defblade on Sunday 4th June 15:07
Specials I can comment on though. It wont be the same in every force, and I know some forces are better than others in terms of what Specials can do.
Its a minimum of 200 hours a year to commit to. Works out around four hours a week. In we could do 32 hours one month and have the next off without a problem. I know some people don't like this though as you get deskilled.
Training for me was 13 Saturdays at HQ with two full weekends for personal safety (using PAVA/Cuffs etc). If I'm honest training was crap. I have no idea if its improved as I did mine seven years ago. All my knowledge has come from working or self research. You get taught the very basics.
No idea if its the same at other forces, but we get put with a PC who tutors us. To get certain things signed off (simple things like using the radio to giving a ticket out up to taking details for a crime report, arresting someone etc). Once you've done this you can then go out with anyone who is independent. Then once you can get more things signed off, you can go out by yourself. I enjoy being crewed with a regular as you learn more, but being single crewed means you have to deal with it so also learn. Plus it gets boring being single crewed!
Most of the Specials in work with response (dealing with 999 calls), some work with NPT (local officer for a area) and a few (myself included) with traffic. I love the flexibility you get as a Special. I can pick when I go on duty. I can within reason finish when I want (don't plan to do things after...you will be late off) and it doesn't go down well if you say you are going home just as a s
tty job comes in. Some people moan about Specials, yes some can be s
t. But I've worked with some regulars who are, and I'm sure you've all worked with people in your jobs who are st at what they do. I've only had two people have a problem with me being a Special. Which in seven years and over 1,400 hours a year isn't bad! You will need family support. Someone who understands that you might be late home and plans have to be cancelled.
If you have any specific questions just ask. Happy for you to email me, and I'm sure I can find someone in the force you would be looking at to answer any specific questions.
Edited by LosingGrip on Sunday 27th January 12:38
Derek Smith said:
Can I ask what your plans are now?
Not sure what post of mine you quoted so not sure how to answer.I had it on Wednesday. I managed to get a decent nights sleep the night before (last time I had 90 minutes sleep) and managed to eat a decent meal the night before and breakfast in the morning.
No idea how it went, trying not to think about it too much as nothing I can do now can change it.
The role plays are crap, they aren't realistic at all, I hated them again. English tests I felt were OK, I'm given 25% extra time due to having dyslexia which helped. Maths I struggled with the % questions again and lastly it was the 20 minute interview. Felt more relaxed and hopefully did OK in that bit. We shall see though.
I find out two weeks today.
foxbody-87 said:
My Mrs has been in the service for just over 2 years now, for the hours, shifts lasting twice as long as they should and general crap she has to put up with the pay is nowhere near enough in my opinion. I have mates putting cans together in a factory for more money.
I could earn more as a manager at Tesco, no shift work, chances of getting assaulted are very slim (stabbed in the back however...). But it isn't a job you do for the money in the slightest. Results are in...
Failed again. Overall score was 57% (needed 50%), but working with others was 48% again and needed 50% on that. Same as last time. Which is a bit annoying as I felt this one was better than last time, but six months until I can apply again. Going to look at those pre assessment day courses.
Failed again. Overall score was 57% (needed 50%), but working with others was 48% again and needed 50% on that. Same as last time. Which is a bit annoying as I felt this one was better than last time, but six months until I can apply again. Going to look at those pre assessment day courses.
The Mad Monk said:
Perhaps you should choose an alternative career?
If you consider the number of police officers complaining about various aspects of police service.
Consider also - very carefully indeed, if I may be so bold - the possibility that your actions, well meant, taken with the best possible intentions with the information, equipment and support available to you at the time, could come back to bite you hard.
What am I talking about? Well, just off the top of my head, consider Orgreave, consider Hillsborough, and probably a lot more examples if I did a bit of Googling.
I'm well aware that the choices I make in a split second could come back and bite me later. I've been doing it voluntary for the last eight years. If you consider the number of police officers complaining about various aspects of police service.
Consider also - very carefully indeed, if I may be so bold - the possibility that your actions, well meant, taken with the best possible intentions with the information, equipment and support available to you at the time, could come back to bite you hard.
What am I talking about? Well, just off the top of my head, consider Orgreave, consider Hillsborough, and probably a lot more examples if I did a bit of Googling.
Yes lots have complained about it, but if its that bad why are they still doing it? The money isn't brilliant so it can't be for that. Plus they've seen it from being good to being bad...those joining now are only ever going to see it as it is.
If I ever see anything to do with the Westshire Centre ever again, I'm going to cry and smack my head against a wall.
Back from my third and final attempt at the assessment centre. Decided if it doesn't happen this time, it isn't meant to be.
Felt the role plays went better than before, but the interview went worse. Find out within two weeks from tomorrow.
Back from my third and final attempt at the assessment centre. Decided if it doesn't happen this time, it isn't meant to be.
Felt the role plays went better than before, but the interview went worse. Find out within two weeks from tomorrow.
Red 4 said:
What's The Westshire Centre ?
The replacement imaginary place for Sandford ?
It's a shopping centre which you are a customer services officer for.The replacement imaginary place for Sandford ?
Sa Calobra said:
Tbh I thought my interview went appallingly badly. The only redeeming feature was the Inspector saying at last a Special who doesn't use Specials experience examples! Three other interviewer just rubbed his face alot and tried coaxing a different answer out of me for the same questions.
Don't quit, don't stop. I was ste at the interview and I'm not too bad in the job itself
I used one example from a Special. Don't quit, don't stop. I was s
te at the interview and I'm not too bad in the job itselfIt's annoying, I know I can do the job. I'm actually not too fussed if I get it now. I've got another career that I think I would prefer to do, but only recently started looking into it whilst I was waiting for today to come.
ED209 said:
It was meant to reduce speculation and to make sure that all of the candidates (about 60) knew their results at the same time. They did let us know in advance what they were doing though so at least it was expected.
I can see arguments both ways having previously been the victim of a total shambles when they didn't contact me to inform me I had failed. They had been ringing my old mobile number from about 10 years previous, instead of the contact i actually put on the application form.
Hasn't worked this time as someone else on the same assessment day found out last Tuesday. Admittedly a different force and I was the only one for there. I can see arguments both ways having previously been the victim of a total shambles when they didn't contact me to inform me I had failed. They had been ringing my old mobile number from about 10 years previous, instead of the contact i actually put on the application form.
Edited by LosingGrip on Sunday 27th January 12:12
Thanks all!
Greendubber said:
Wehey!
Well done!
What's next?
Another interview. From what I've heard this is a lot more relaxed and more importantly its held in force, so no driving for hours! They aren't sure when this will be. This assessment centre was from when I applied last year. I got to do another one so soon as I appealed the outcome last time without having to apply again. They haven't recruited this year yet. So could be some when next year.Well done!
What's next?
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