Joining the Police
Discussion
Update time...
I've decided to withdraw my application. I've had sleepless nights trying to work out what to do. I've spent years wanting nothing else. I've had relationships end because of it (for the better however).
Few reasons why. The main one being I'm still waiting for my final interview. I've heard they have intakes for the next year, so its likely to be end of 2019/2020. I can't put my life on hold anymore. HR still haven't got back to me almost a month after I emailed them about it. Along with the drop in pay, needing a degree and seeing how stressed/tired everyone is. Those that loved the job a few years ago and where job pissed are hating it. I don't want that life.
I'm currently studying for my first of three tests to become a driving instructor.
I've decided to withdraw my application. I've had sleepless nights trying to work out what to do. I've spent years wanting nothing else. I've had relationships end because of it (for the better however).
Few reasons why. The main one being I'm still waiting for my final interview. I've heard they have intakes for the next year, so its likely to be end of 2019/2020. I can't put my life on hold anymore. HR still haven't got back to me almost a month after I emailed them about it. Along with the drop in pay, needing a degree and seeing how stressed/tired everyone is. Those that loved the job a few years ago and where job pissed are hating it. I don't want that life.
I'm currently studying for my first of three tests to become a driving instructor.
Andyhb said:
Big mistake.
Driving instructor, for the next thirty years?
Dont believe all the complainers. Its Dorset your joining? Hardly a tough constabulary, how difficult can it possibly be?
Police would be longer than 30 years. I believe them because I've seen it as a Special. Driving instructor, for the next thirty years?
Dont believe all the complainers. Its Dorset your joining? Hardly a tough constabulary, how difficult can it possibly be?
Red 4 said:
If you've come this far why withdraw your application ?
Live your life, study for the driving instructor qualification and wait for the final interview.
My advice would be to carry on with the process simply because you have nothing to lose and it seems silly to pull the plug now.
Decide if you want a career in the police if/ when they offer you the job.
Forgot to mention...my assessment day result only lasts for a year. Waiting to hear back from HR to clarify this (having emailed them at the start of September...). Haven't sent the withdrawal email yet. Sat in my drafts. If they turn round and say interview within the next couple of months with start date shortly after then fantastic I'll have to think about it some more. Live your life, study for the driving instructor qualification and wait for the final interview.
My advice would be to carry on with the process simply because you have nothing to lose and it seems silly to pull the plug now.
Decide if you want a career in the police if/ when they offer you the job.
Wish said:
Well my son failed to get in this time.
I’m sure his age is against him, however he didn’t take it too bad it seems to make him more focused to apply again once he’s able too.
How old is he and what part did he fail at? I’m sure his age is against him, however he didn’t take it too bad it seems to make him more focused to apply again once he’s able too.
I saw a couple of days ago the Met have dropped their requirement of having had to lived there for three out of the last six years. Not going to lie, I'm half tempted as I've always liked the idea of the Met. But I'm looking at moving in with my girlfriend shortly, so I very much doubt it will happen as it will be a bloody long commute from
Edited by LosingGrip on Sunday 27th January 12:08
Well I've changed my mind a few times this year...
Just sent my application to the MET. Because I've already passed an assessment centre within the last two years (strange that only keep it for a year) I should be able to go straight to day two which is a medical/fitness test.
Should hear later this week (well email says 'within a week or so').
Also got a email from last week saying they are looking to hold final interviews towards the end of January (I emailed them in September for an update...). See what the MET say and go from there
Just sent my application to the MET. Because I've already passed an assessment centre within the last two years (strange that only keep it for a year) I should be able to go straight to day two which is a medical/fitness test.
Should hear later this week (well email says 'within a week or so').
Also got a email from last week saying they are looking to hold final interviews towards the end of January (I emailed them in September for an update...). See what the MET say and go from there
Edited by LosingGrip on Sunday 27th January 12:06
megaphone said:
I was under the impression you couldn't apply for more than one force at a time?
I think what happens is the MET ask for my assessment centre result, I then have to inform Dorset I'm withdrawing and then continue with the MET. It was a bit confusing. I phoned the MET HR team last week and got told its not likely to be possible, but they will get back to me. Phoned again today and spoke to someone who said I need to start my application with the MET and then wait for them to ask for my assessment centre result.
Good luck Defblade! Be sure to keep us updated!
I'm still waiting to hear back from the Met regarding mine. When I sent mine off it said 'I'll hear back within a week or so'. Today is two weeks. When, if at all do I chase it up?
Still nothing about my final interview, but found out they have intakes in January and March. I'm guessing I won't be doing either of them as its way to close with medical/fitness between January and March.
At a Specials conference a few weeks ago, the C/Supt said they are planning two intakes of regulars a year and two for Specials. Looking at that, it looks like the intake won't be until 2020.
This pushes me even more to withdraw and go for the Met.
(I've also still got my theory test booked for a driving instructor going on as well).
I'm still waiting to hear back from the Met regarding mine. When I sent mine off it said 'I'll hear back within a week or so'. Today is two weeks. When, if at all do I chase it up?
Still nothing about my final interview, but found out they have intakes in January and March. I'm guessing I won't be doing either of them as its way to close with medical/fitness between January and March.
At a Specials conference a few weeks ago, the C/Supt said they are planning two intakes of regulars a year and two for Specials. Looking at that, it looks like the intake won't be until 2020.
This pushes me even more to withdraw and go for the Met.
(I've also still got my theory test booked for a driving instructor going on as well).
Edited by LosingGrip on Sunday 27th January 12:05
Update time...
TLDR: Passes my final interview
Long version...
Looked at moving my application to the MET, however due to personal reasons it wasn't going to work. December I got a email saying they are hoping to do final interviews towards the end of January.
Didn't hear anything until end of last week inviting me to my interview Friday just gone. Lots of panicking. Interviews are not my strong point.
I had suspected siatica so been off work for the last week not able to do much, so managed to get lots of prep in. Literally been dreaming of the NDM and Policing Professional Framework!
Along with my back I also had a case of man flu and a dodgy stomach. Was half tempted to postpone it.
Went along anyway and it only lasted 15 minutes or so. Thought I had blown it. The email said 30 minutes, the SGT before said there is no time limit.
Get called back in and ask how I think it went. Say I think I didn't answer some of the questions enough and rambled on some of the others.
Got told I passed and let out a huge sigh of relief. Couldn't believe it. Best feeling.
Now just got my medical and fitness to do alongside vetting. Looking at a start date of July or September.
Hoping for July as one it's sooner and two it's not the degree intake so start on 22kish compares to 18k and a three year probation compared to two years.
TLDR: Passes my final interview
Long version...
Looked at moving my application to the MET, however due to personal reasons it wasn't going to work. December I got a email saying they are hoping to do final interviews towards the end of January.
Didn't hear anything until end of last week inviting me to my interview Friday just gone. Lots of panicking. Interviews are not my strong point.
I had suspected siatica so been off work for the last week not able to do much, so managed to get lots of prep in. Literally been dreaming of the NDM and Policing Professional Framework!
Along with my back I also had a case of man flu and a dodgy stomach. Was half tempted to postpone it.
Went along anyway and it only lasted 15 minutes or so. Thought I had blown it. The email said 30 minutes, the SGT before said there is no time limit.
Get called back in and ask how I think it went. Say I think I didn't answer some of the questions enough and rambled on some of the others.
Got told I passed and let out a huge sigh of relief. Couldn't believe it. Best feeling.
Now just got my medical and fitness to do alongside vetting. Looking at a start date of July or September.
Hoping for July as one it's sooner and two it's not the degree intake so start on 22kish compares to 18k and a three year probation compared to two years.
Update!
Confirmed in post yesterday. Probation finished and diploma all done.
Best job in the world. Love coming into work every day (apart from earlies!). Something different every day.
COVID has made it a bit odd for the first year and a bit on squad. I’ve not really dealt with any night time economy on a weekend yet.
If anyone is thinking about it, go for it!
Confirmed in post yesterday. Probation finished and diploma all done.
Best job in the world. Love coming into work every day (apart from earlies!). Something different every day.
COVID has made it a bit odd for the first year and a bit on squad. I’ve not really dealt with any night time economy on a weekend yet.
If anyone is thinking about it, go for it!
ED209 said:
The police is good for younger people to join now,, get a degree paid for, an average salary and something impressive to put on your cv. Then leave as soon as you can.
This will happen a lot in the next few years as the job hasn’t had the foresight to tie anyone in.
I was on the diploma intake which for me was fine. Joined at 29 and have no interest in going to uni now. This will happen a lot in the next few years as the job hasn’t had the foresight to tie anyone in.
If I was younger would I have been happy with the degree? Yeah probably. Although having seen the amount of work the degree lot have to do is mad. On top of working full time shifts. Friend is currently on holiday doing assessments!
Downside to the degree is the pay. I know a lot of people that want to join but can’t afford the £18,000/£19,000 starting wage.
Terzo123 said:
Train driver is a very popular one.
MOD plod is also popular side step.
I know a few who have left to be IFAs.
Going back about 10 years, the oil industry poached hundreds of cops in Scotland for various roles.
Many young Cops have come out of the pension, so there's nothing tying them to the job.
I know a few who have left to become train drivers. Getting paid silly amounts of money. MOD plod is also popular side step.
I know a few who have left to be IFAs.
Going back about 10 years, the oil industry poached hundreds of cops in Scotland for various roles.
Many young Cops have come out of the pension, so there's nothing tying them to the job.
Will I stay until I retire? That’s the plan (although not frontline, I’ve got half a plan in my head were I’d like my career to go). But who knows what is around the corner.
Pension wise I have no idea how much I’ll get by the time I retire. But it’s still better than the pension I was in at my old job.
Don Roque said:
Ooh, are they taking transfers? 
In all seriousness, anyone with experience of a mixed force area will tell you the chances of running into trouble outside of a built up area are pretty good. The line at training school, no longer applicable since the cuts, went something like "laugh all you like at the chaps going to the rural stations and make your jokes about shifts spent chasing sheep off the road. In the towns you'll be wrestling with drunks every day. In the sticks you won't be, but when you do your backup will be 30 minutes away rather than just around the corner".
Although in truth, in some areas you'd be lucky to get there in 30 minutes in an advanced car, with that being a number they pulled out of thin air to make a point.
My patch is 240 square miles. Mostly rural. In all seriousness, anyone with experience of a mixed force area will tell you the chances of running into trouble outside of a built up area are pretty good. The line at training school, no longer applicable since the cuts, went something like "laugh all you like at the chaps going to the rural stations and make your jokes about shifts spent chasing sheep off the road. In the towns you'll be wrestling with drunks every day. In the sticks you won't be, but when you do your backup will be 30 minutes away rather than just around the corner".
Although in truth, in some areas you'd be lucky to get there in 30 minutes in an advanced car, with that being a number they pulled out of thin air to make a point.
Furthest point of the patch is 40 minutes from my station. I’ve done it in 30 before. But that was perfect conditions. No traffic as it was 0615 on a Sunday. The roads are s
t. Nights we have two of us. Nearest back up will be an hour away. Further if they aren’t at that hub station.
Twice I’ve had to call for assistance. Both times backup was fairly close as in 20 minutes.
We often talk about different policing skills in different areas. Some of the cops in the towns come across as rude in my mind at times. Knowing if they wind someone up and end up fighting back up is a few moments away.
We have to be friendly with them.
Kaelic said:
Some great but sobering reading in this thread.
I am probably the opposite of what the some of the retiring cops are doing, I am a Network/Cyber security full timer who is becoming a special at the ripe old age of 46!
When people have asked me why, I say why not? I work Monday-Friday full time (but from home) and with child all grown up its time to go and do something for my community, even if it's checking the local park is safe or something, but at least I will be doing some good with my spare time.
I know specials are a bit meh, but even if I am the second person in a normally single crewed car/van I can be there to help the regular or at least (hopefully) help ease the pressure on regulars.
Have a very close friend who went special > regular > arv and he was a big infulence, but I have no aspirations of ever going regular.
One thing I would like to ask is what is the opinion of regulars on specials at the minute? I am hoping to be an asset rather than a hinderance but its going to be a steep learning curve for a couple of years but something I am looking forward to!
Cheers and keep safe!
Good luck! I am probably the opposite of what the some of the retiring cops are doing, I am a Network/Cyber security full timer who is becoming a special at the ripe old age of 46!
When people have asked me why, I say why not? I work Monday-Friday full time (but from home) and with child all grown up its time to go and do something for my community, even if it's checking the local park is safe or something, but at least I will be doing some good with my spare time.
I know specials are a bit meh, but even if I am the second person in a normally single crewed car/van I can be there to help the regular or at least (hopefully) help ease the pressure on regulars.
Have a very close friend who went special > regular > arv and he was a big infulence, but I have no aspirations of ever going regular.
One thing I would like to ask is what is the opinion of regulars on specials at the minute? I am hoping to be an asset rather than a hinderance but its going to be a steep learning curve for a couple of years but something I am looking forward to!
Cheers and keep safe!
I was a special for nine and a bit years in total. I’ve got a lot of time for them (I certainly wouldn’t do it for free now!). You get some s
t ones, but you get some st regulars as well. What worked for me was aligning my shifts to the same squad. That way they learnt about me and I learnt about them.
You won’t be expected to know everything.
Ask lots of questions when the time is right.
You can get a lot out of it if you put time in.
ED209 said:
This happens every day, several times a day when I am on duty. I constantly fight against other agencies to get them to do their own jobs and stop passing their demand and risk to the police. It’s a losing battle. The amount of a response cops work that is and should be absolutely nothing to do with the police is truly staggering.
We don’t need more cops, we just need other agencies to pull their weight and stop passing their work to the police. Oh and chief con stables who tell those other agencies where to go.
Response…where your work becomes our work! Saw that quote a while ago at work and it makes me laugh and cry at the same time! We don’t need more cops, we just need other agencies to pull their weight and stop passing their work to the police. Oh and chief con stables who tell those other agencies where to go.
Pork Sausage said:
Considering this at the moment up in sunny Scotland as numbers required in local area
Any reason not to?
Best job in the world but also the worst. Any reason not to?
Crap pay the start. But does rise quickly. Long hours. I'm never off on time.
Make some good friends for life. People you'd never normally be friends with.
I'm looking for a new job after five years, but also looking at a different roles within the Police.
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