Any serving coppers help me out?

[Yarders91]

Admin please move this to jobs and employment matters if deemed fit. Posting here as i think it will be more visible to the people id like advice from.

Im currently serving in the RAF (engineering side) and looking at the prospects of leaving to join the police (Police scotland)
I havent got anything against the millitary. Its just fast becoming a more unsuitable career since ive had a family and feel that its time to seriously consider leaving.

After doing some research on the police scotland website ive decided i really want to apply when my time in the mob comes to and end. (No two days the same, like being a people person etc)

Are there any coppers here (particularly scottish) who could give me a frank and honest view of their job? What their initial training and probationary period is like?

Happy to explain a bit more via PM if preferred.

Cheers in advance

Yarders

[Yarders91]

Ki3r said:

I made a similar post a few weeks ago, thread can be found here.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Thanks very much

[Yarders91]

Encouraging so far. Im very aware that alot of people will say dont bother, its not what ot used to be etc etc. its the same in my job but its what you make of it.

[Yarders91]

Bigends said:

The job is what is - join and see.
No point listening to any moans about 'the old days' -armed forces will have changed just the same over the past few years.
What will your housing situation be assuming you are in quarters now?
Free housing and allowances went out years ago certainly south of the border.

Ill be in my own house before i leave the mob. Were not far off from
Having a decent chunk of money for a house deposit.
As for other allowances i get bugger all anyway.

Apart from subsidised housing. There arent many perks left anyway.

[Yarders91]

Zoobeef said:

Everyone says £19k as though thats it, forever on £19k.

After a few years you can be earning much more and overtime is available. Football is always being played and the EDL like to go marching around. Also the pensions wont have "become st" for new recruits, for them its just "the pension".

If you join and it really isnt for you and you hate it then leave, you aren't at gun point to stay in forever.

Police scotlands careers page say that their starting salary is about £23k a year, rising to £26k after initial training. Then incrementally thereafter. Do england and wales pay differently?

From my perspective thats still alot more than what my salary is!

[Yarders91]

Zoobeef said:

Asked her about it today and she says because she volunteered she gets overtime pay but the other working didn't volunteer so have too work for no extra.

I just wish my work had a capability to earn a bit more haha!

Seems fair enough to me. Have been in many similar situations where volunteers were needed to work weekend at public events etc.
Flt sgt always gavethise who volunteered the days they worked back, but if we were short of numbers people would be 'voluntold' and wouldnt get anything back for it. Nor any mention on their annual appraisal report

[Yarders91]

Zoobeef said:

Asked her about it today and she says because she volunteered she gets overtime pay but the other working didn't volunteer so have too work for no extra.

I just wish my work had a capability to earn a bit more haha!

Seems fair enough to me. Have been in many similar situations where volunteers were needed to work weekend at public events etc.
Flt sgt always gavethise who volunteered the days they worked back, but if we were short of numbers people would be 'voluntold' and wouldnt get anything back for it. Nor any mention on their annual appraisal report