Joining the Police

[Ki3r]

Good evening PH,

As per title really, I'm currently completely an application to become a Police officer. I've been a Special for the last five years and love it. I do a fair amount of hours a month, and fully understand that its not all driving on blue lights (have to admit, I do enjoy the paperwork side of things at the moment!).

I'm just wondering if anyone is able to offer me any advice for the process. The bit I'm not looking forward to is the role plays if I get to the assessment centre, so any advice on that would be great.

If anyone can recommend any books or websites to read I would be grateful.

Attended a application work shop during the week which was really helpful, but looking to do as much as possible to help.

I'm more than happy for PMs if people don't want to discuss what they do in public.

Many thanks.

[Ki3r]

Thanks for all the replies (even the negative ones ). I've been rather busy to reply to all of them, but have been reading them all.

Pothole said:

hat bothers you about these? I used to be the same but now I dive into them with relish.

No idea. I'm sure once I'm there I'll enjoy it. It's the same when it comes to my personal safety refresher. I hate the idea of doing them, but if I get picked or put myself forward (which despite not being a fan of doing them, I find myself volunteering for the role plays) I enjoy it.

Corbeliere said:

To the OP. A serious point.
Check your post and look for the typing error. I'll give you a clue, it's on the first line.
Your application might be one of many and those with mistakes are the ones that end up in the bin.
Always check before submitting paperwork.

As for the job, I too was told on my first day that it's f*%"ed. That was in 1992.

I was injured out and got an early pension. Fortunately I had transferred my previous pensions into the Police system, thus buying me extra years. That's worth considering for anyone contemplating joining, assuming you can still do that.

Good luck with it.

My spelling and grammar is something I struggle with, but am trying to improve that all the time. (Made a thread on here about it), also carry a dictionary around in my kit bag just in case.

But I will be getting it checked, mum will be checking first for spelling mistakes and then a family friend who used to teach English at uni.

Have to say, I'm feeling a lot more positive about applying this time, than I have in the past to another force.

[Ki3r]

DoubleSix said:

Then check for the others...

Just as well this isn't my application then eh?

[Ki3r]

Application form is completed. It's been double checked by a English teacher at uni for spelling and grammar, so fingers crossed I haven't got any!

Getting posted tomorrow. I'll find out if I am being invited to an assessment centre on Monday...got a feeling it's going to drag!

[Ki3r]

Heard back today that sadly I didn't pass the application stage. Rather disappointed, but onwards and upwards for next time.

[Ki3r]

Mk3Spitfire said:

Keep at it. Look at it as good experience for next time. You'll know what to expect and have a bit of an advantage.

Yeah. Got to wait a month or so for feedback. Already had an offer from an Inspector who will have a look at it and give me some extra feedback.

Tempted to go for this CKP course to allow me to apply for more forces, but unsure if it's worth nearly £1,000 for it.

[Ki3r]

Good luck for tomorrow .

I failed the papershift sadly, but once I can will be applying again .

[Ki3r]

Applications are opening again on Monday, already registered my interest for a form which I'll get towards the end of the month .

[Ki3r]

Greendubber said:

Did they let you know what it was that you failed the previous sift on?

Only very basic information, each area was given a grade and I was told what grade I received. Didn't go in to too much detail though.

Hopefully the areas I scored well in I can use again to save a bit of time.

[Ki3r]

I passed the papershift .

Assessment centre is end of June.

Can't describe how pleased I am at the moment.

[Ki3r]

hora said:

GMP? I failed the paper sift. Abit dispondent and wonder what I did wrong.

.

hora said:

I asked and was promised it. I'll chase tomorrow. All through my Specials training I was commended for 'getting it/a natural' and 'common sense/calm approach'. Possibly I didn't know about the special way that you've got to answer/set out your application answers that did it.

The next phase is to go external. I doubt I'll be allowed another crack in the external phase.

I'm not at home, but I got a book last time and didn't really pay that much attention to it. This time I did and it helped massively. I'll check the name when I'm back home Monday.

My feedback from them last time was very basic. So don't expect too much.

Are you still a Special? I had my Sgt have a look over it for any tips etc.

Good luck if you apply again .

Edited by LosingGrip on Sunday 27th January 12:43

[Ki3r]

hora said:

Yes please and yes I'm a Special. Unusually our division has its specials crewed up with regs on response so we get experience at the sharp end.

Strangely I had a photo of it on my phone ha.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Definitive-Passing-Police-...

[Ki3r]

Bigends said:

Unfortunately all of the outside experience in the world wont get you through the paper sift or the interview. Ive seen 30yr Cops apply for jobs and fail at the interview or paper sift stage even when theyve applied for the same job theyve done for years.

A book on how to join the Police - really? Weve gone horribly wrong somewhere

Edited by Bigends on Sunday 3rd April 20:15

Edited by Bigends on Sunday 3rd April 20:22

I'm not saying it's perfect, but it helped me a lot understand what they are looking for.

I'm not sure if you'll be able to apply again so soon, in we aren't allowed to apply for internal jobs.

Edited by LosingGrip on Sunday 27th January 12:43

[Ki3r]

Well tomorrow is my assessment centre. Nervous is not the word.

Decided to stay at a premier inn so I don't have to leave at 4am!

[Ki3r]

Mk3Spitfire said:

Good luck. Remember, you are being assessed from the moment you pull up in the car park to the moment you drive out.

And I hope you're wearing a suit. I have seen people turn up in board shorts and flip flops before!

Without a doubt I've got a suit. Better to be overdressed than underdressed.

A friend was telling me on his a bloke turned up in jeans and a t-shirt.

[Ki3r]

Back home from my assessment day. Words can not describe how nervous I was.

Didn't sleep the night before and couldn't eat breakfast.

But it's done and wasn't as bad as I thought it would have been. The English part wasn't too bad, neither was the verbal reasoning.

First role play was horrible, but then knew what I was expecting so the other three weren't too bad.

Interview wasn't the best. Didn't enjoy that at all, but also struggled with the maths part. Which is annoying as I used to be really good at maths!

Get my results within two weeks.

Helped massively that in my group I was with another Special I know and also my exes sister, so felt a little at ease.

Long wait now.

[Ki3r]

Sadly I failed. Not sure by how much yet as feedback is being emailed somewhen next week.

Bit crap as I know I can do it, but I didn't get a good feeling about the assessment centre so not too surprised.

Onwards and upwards, six months to find out what went wrong and get right next time.

[Ki3r]

andy118run said:

Doh! Must be annoying, being a Special for 5+ years, you can obviously do the job.

I'm not sure these selection processes always select the best people for the post, though maybe others would argue otherwise.

I remember failing a selection centre for the BTP when I was about 19 or 20 years old, sent home on the second day when I failed that role play nonsense. I never did try to join the police again though 20+ years later I'm happy in my profession.

I'm sure you will get there or find something else to pursue.

That is the most annoying thing. I was on duty when I got the email about it. Kinda ironic, not good enough to get paid, but you can continue to do it for free.

Step further than before, which I'm pleased with.

JulianHJ said:

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully the feedback will help you identify how to crack it next time. What did you have a bad feeling about on the day? I'd agree that assessment centres are not ideal. I'd guess that ten years on, only half of my intake are still in the job.

Bit of it all, ran out of time during the English part at the start, never noticed just how quickly 20 minutes can go! Roleplays were horrible to start with, by the second one I knew what to expect though, and didn't enjoy the interview at all. Questions were worded slightly differently to what I was expecting and it threw me. My maths part was right at the end, and I used to be good at it when I was at school, but don't know if it was because it was the last thing, but I struggled with it. We shall see though.

[Ki3r]

I recently got my feedback, and kicking myself massively.

Overall you needed a score of 50%, plus 50% with working with others.

My overall score was 56%, and working with others was 48%. 2% from passing, one or two things missed out most likely.

Another four and a bit months to go before I can apply again.

Bit of good news, the team that I work with have been nominated for Team of the Year for the South West again.

[Ki3r]

That's what I'm hoping for, I've never done one before so was completely new to me.

I got a B overall for my application, an A and a B for two questions, and I think a C and a D for the other two. I think I know where I can improve the last two, so will have a look at that.