Joining the Police

[Prohibiting]

I'm 95% certain that I will be accepted as a Special for Gloucestershire. I've passed my assessment centre and have completed my medical and fitness day. I'm just waiting for the security and reference checks now which *touch wood* should all be okay. I can't wait to hopefully start.

[defblade]

Thanks for the offers of help etc folks, but looks like it's been a waste of time anyway...

There were eyesight requirements in the Direct Entry self-questionnaire which said with or without specs or contacts and mention of an eye test on the "Could You" site... I know I'd pass with specs or contacts as I've got great vision when corrected, but just found the requirement to have 6/36 or better uncorrected which is the second line down on the chart at 6 metres... unfortunately, I'm VERY short sighted and at 6 metres it's a case of "what chart?"

So that's buggered that.

I understand the reasoning I guess, especially with glasses, but I have never ever had problems losing contact lenses.

The only ray of sun available is within the much-reviled Direct Entry I'm afraid - "NB Work is under way to remove the current eyesight requirement for those entering directly at inspector rank." So even though it's clearly not the best scheme in the world, it might be my only way in...

[ED209]

defblade said:

Thanks for the offers of help etc folks, but looks like it's been a waste of time anyway...

There were eyesight requirements in the Direct Entry self-questionnaire which said with or without specs or contacts and mention of an eye test on the "Could You" site... I know I'd pass with specs or contacts as I've got great vision when corrected, but just found the requirement to have 6/36 or better uncorrected which is the second line down on the chart at 6 metres... unfortunately, I'm VERY short sighted and at 6 metres it's a case of "what chart?"

So that's buggered that.

I understand the reasoning I guess, especially with glasses, but I have never ever had problems losing contact lenses.

The only ray of sun available is within the much-reviled Direct Entry I'm afraid - "NB Work is under way to remove the current eyesight requirement for those entering directly at inspector rank." So even though it's clearly not the best scheme in the world, it might be my only way in...

To be honest i think thats a disgrace, So inspectors don't witness things then? either remove it for all or leave it alone.

[DBRacingGod]

defblade said:

Thanks for the offers of help etc folks, but looks like it's been a waste of time anyway...

There were eyesight requirements in the Direct Entry self-questionnaire which said with or without specs or contacts and mention of an eye test on the "Could You" site... I know I'd pass with specs or contacts as I've got great vision when corrected, but just found the requirement to have 6/36 or better uncorrected which is the second line down on the chart at 6 metres... unfortunately, I'm VERY short sighted and at 6 metres it's a case of "what chart?"

So that's buggered that.

I understand the reasoning I guess, especially with glasses, but I have never ever had problems losing contact lenses.

The only ray of sun available is within the much-reviled Direct Entry I'm afraid - "NB Work is under way to remove the current eyesight requirement for those entering directly at inspector rank." So even though it's clearly not the best scheme in the world, it might be my only way in...

...providing they print the "Way in" signs at x4 magnification.

[LosingGrip]

Well my assessment day is Wednesday. Not as nervous as last year, if it happens it happens. Got to go to Coventry for it though but decided to spend a bit more money and stay somewhere nice rather than just a Travel Lodge. Going up tomorrow afternoon.

[Prohibiting]

LosingGrip said:

Well my assessment day is Wednesday. Not as nervous as last year, if it happens it happens. Got to go to Coventry for it though but decided to spend a bit more money and stay somewhere nice rather than just a Travel Lodge. Going up tomorrow afternoon.

Good luck with your assessment day. You'll be fine. Just stay focused on the whole day and don't let anything phase you. If you have a selection of 6-8 examples that you can remember/talk about for your interview based on the competencies they've told you about, you'll be fine.

Prohibiting said:

I'm 95% certain that I will be accepted as a Special for Gloucestershire. I've passed my assessment centre and have completed my medical and fitness day. I'm just waiting for the security and reference checks now which *touch wood* should all be okay. I can't wait to hopefully start.

To quote my own post from June, yes, I was accepted and I've begun my training

[anonymous-user]

LosingGrip said:

Well my assessment day is Wednesday. Not as nervous as last year, if it happens it happens. Got to go to Coventry for it though but decided to spend a bit more money and stay somewhere nice rather than just a Travel Lodge. Going up tomorrow afternoon.

May as well get used to living the high life, especially as it'll all be on my taxes.

Just kidding... good luck.

[Sa Calobra]

Good luck. That was my attitude, if it's meant to be it's meant to to be. I wanted it but knew I'd over think it if I dwelled too much.

My Maths and English were A's. My 'dealing with the public' mark was 27% countered by another at 100%. Bizarrely I know my strengths are working with people. So 27% was bizarre

[Steve Maund]

I'm 49 and started my application with SYP in Jan this year. Passed all the online tests and application. Passed the assessment day with 64% which surprised me and got to final interview in July, failed one of the five questions, to be told I could not apply again for 6 months.

Got a email from Humberside asking if I would like an interview with them starting in Jan 18. Humberside and SY are linked in with the same HR dept. Passed the interview but turned down the role because I would be travelling just for the training alone over 17 weeks nearly 13k miles and then it would take me nearly 70 mins each way to get to my nearest station ( I live between Huddersfield and Sheffield).

My only option now is to apply to West Yorks next year and just do a presentation and interview, and if I pass, start training thereafter.

All for £23K starting salary................................

Lets see how it goes.

Steve

[XCP]

No disrespect but I wouldn't bother. There must be easier and more satisfying ways for a chap of 49 to earn a living. I retired at 48 and I was broken by then!

[Bigends]

XCP said:

No disrespect but I wouldn't bother. There must be easier and more satisfying ways for a chap of 49 to earn a living. I retired at 48 and I was broken by then!

Agreed - youve left it a bit late - I finished at 49 having - had a cracking time ( all front line uniform) - certainly had enough by then but not broken by any means so have done another 12yrs as civvy manager. Go for it if you feel the need. ive a couple of mates joined around your age years after their sons joined! and are doing ok. Dont listen to the current tales of woe - if you do join under current terms and conditions you wont have known any dfferent will you - so go for it - if you can afford to that is

[Sa Calobra]

XCP said:

No disrespect but I wouldn't bother. There must be easier and more satisfying ways for a chap of 49 to earn a living. I retired at 48 and I was broken by then!

I took a double monthly post-tax basic salary drop. I'm struggling to think of better ways to earn a living. True after years of physical work and shift work grinds one down after a while (maybe) but if you've known office work for years you feel like your trapped in a box.

Considered being a Special? Fun, drop the paperwork into the regs hands and skip off home : laugh:

Edited by Sa Calobra on Monday 13th November 21:15

[anonymous-user]

SYP or Humberside.

Have you filtered them in terms of reputation / HMIC performance?

I have some fantastic memories from policing in my invincible teens and twenties. I'm glad I left at the right time and I feel so much better not having to do shifts.

[Red 4]

Sa Calobra said:

I'm struggling to think of better ways to earn a living.

I can think of lots - no disrespect but at 49 I wouldn't bother.

I'm with XCP on this - the job broke me too at a younger age than you are now - seriously injured on duty and well and truly knackered for life. And don't think the job will give a monkey's about you. They won't. That is something I have personal experience of and I also saw many other officers treated like dirt.

The reality is that the bosses only care about themselves and/ or the image of the force and are too far removed from reality to understand how things are in the real world. Many things are made much more difficult than they should be.The job has become far too politicised.

Front line policing is a young man's job and it isn't like you see on TV. It can be quite grim.
I can guarantee the job will change you - you will experience things that most people never will and a lot of stuff will not be pleasant. There will also be good things but if you think you will make a difference you probably won't.

You'll spend at least your first 2 years (probably many more) at the sharp end so if you fancy rolling around on the floor with a pissed/ coked up 18 year old scaffolder who is trying his best to knock your block off or stab you, if you like dealing with the same idiots who have absolutely no respect for anyone or anything day in, day out, acting as a marriage guidance counsellor/ surrogate parent because the real parents are too inadequate/ pissed/ lazy to care, crappy "facebook" jobs, sudden deaths (probationers often deal with these), working way past your scheduled finishing time, rest days cancelled at a moments notice, shifts, etc. etc etc.. and being the shift sprog at nearly 50 (again, no disrespect intended) then crack on.

Just make sure you know what you're getting yourself into. It isn't all fast cars, blue lights and adrenaline. The reality, especially as a new starter, is quite different to that.

Edited by Red 4 on Monday 13th November 22:35

Edited by Red 4 on Monday 13th November 22:47

[Tom1312]

Well I enjoy the job... Feel free to PM if you want any questions answered gents.

5 years as an SC. 3 as a PC and counting... I'm also a tutor so know what's expected of new officers.

[HantsRat]

It's ok if you don't mind shift work, cancelled days off, always being on duty whenever an important events comes around (wedding etc), having to book holiday over a year in advance and earning peanuts.

[Paul Dishman]

defblade said:

Thought I'd hijack this thread rather than start my own.

I always wanted to join the police, from as soon as I can remember thinking about "what I want to do when I'm grown up". My parents didn't think it was a good idea and I sidetracked to forensics... went to uni to study pharmacy (a good route into forensics at the time) and discovered I don't actually like the forensic stuff at all!
So, I ended up becoming a pharmacist... I'm pretty good at that and it's not too bad a job.
But I've always had a niggle at the back of my head that it's not my first choice.

I'm 46 now, been in community pharmacy for 24 years. I am good at my job, but because of this I find myself working in the busiest pharmacies and coming home exhausted every day after managing a team while also having to work flat out as a key member of that team. I can't see myself doing this for another 20 years and I feel I'm running out of time to change careers completely.

So, if I'm going to be run off my feet and constantly have to balance bosses, funding pressures, external inspection, shouty customers (from all walks of life), good-but-constantly-overworked staff (not enough of them) and trying to achieve 100% perfection with EVERY SINGLE SCRIPT that leaves the shop (nobody wants the wrong tablets), I feel like I might as well do it in the job I always wanted


I'm not sure that, at my age, being a PC on the beat would be the best use of my experience (and would be a hell of a pay cut, ho hum. I am fit enough though!). I see there is a route for direct entry to Inspector or Superintendent... could any of the BiB here spare your thoughts on this?
For a start, I'm not sure which level would suit me - I suspect Inspector, but then I do have experience from being on the Local Pharmaceutical Committee when I lived in England (moved to Wales 9 years ago) where I was unexpectedly (to me!) voted as Vice Chair only a year or so after joining as the rest of the committee were so impressed how I dealt with external groups such as the PCT and local GPC. This seems like the sort of experience that would point towards Superintendent.

Other potentially relevant parts of my life - I've been a Scout (10-14s) and now Explorer Scout (14-18s) Leader for over 20 years and about 4 years ago I took up karate along with my daughter. She stopped, but I carried on as I like the fitness and the mental challenge of learning something new all the time.


I know there's lots of reading around the subject available, but this is my first tentative foray into what is a very scary possibility for me - jumping out of a career I know inside out, into the total unknown - and I'd like some friendly advice from the people on here I recognise and trust!

Thanks in advance

I've only just spotted this posting, so apologies for being late to the party.

I understand from later posts that you've given up on the idea of joining the police, so I thought I'd throw in some ideas about your present job.

I qualified as a pharmacist in 1976 and ran my own business from 1985 until retiring in 2014 at age 60. I do pop in from time to time to my old business and from what I see the job involves an ever increasing amount of pressure and I can easily imagine how dispiriting it becomes.

Personally I got a great deal of interest and satisfaction from running and organising my own business, as it was down to me to decide what the staff levels were going to be rather an area manager. Being an independent mean that it was always possible, as my Dad said "for a good independent to see off a multiple", so my first recommendation would be to see if you can find a business that you could take over and run yourself. Lloyds are closing/selling off 200 branches so you could find an opportunity there.

I realise that buying your own business is going to be expensive, but an alternative would be to qualify as an Independent Prescriber and see if you can set yourself up working as a practice pharmacist at a GP surgery or several surgeries if you have part time contracts.

I daresay this is all familiar and not very helpful, but you're welcome to PM me if I can be of any help.

[Sa Calobra]

HantsRat said:

It's ok if you don't mind shift work, cancelled days off, always being on duty whenever an important events comes around (wedding etc), having to book holiday over a year in advance and earning peanuts.

How many cancelled days off and you don't work for free on those days. In the private sector youd often be expected to work overtime and other days [b]unpaid[b]

Wedding? Don't you submit a protected leave form in?
Earning peanuts? You'd consider 40k+overtime for a experienced PC as peanuts?

Many many private sector employees could only dream of that.

My old boss often had to travel, stay over. Leave on a Sunday pm to make sure she was there ready. Same with my wife, travelling with work. Having to be in London at the drop of a hat. Long hours and stress.

If you've only ever worked in the job you'd assume it's all milk n honey in the private sector and it ain't. The pension has always been st in the private sector too. That is if the employer actually decided to give one at all. Many didn't.

[HantsRat]

Sa Calobra said:

How many cancelled days off and you don't work for free on those days. In the private sector youd often be expected to work overtime and other days [b]unpaid[b]

I value time off more than overtime. I don't know one single person that would work for free and I know lots in the private sector (Unless volunteering)

[Bigends]

HantsRat said:

It's ok if you don't mind shift work, cancelled days off, always being on duty whenever an important events comes around (wedding etc), having to book holiday over a year in advance and earning peanuts.

This has been the case since the year dot- and was part of the deal when we joined wasnt it?