Can Any Cops Advise on CKP?
Discussion
Evening,
I'm after a bit of advice after attending a PC awareness seminar this evening at my local Police HQ. I am very keen to apply when it opens in May.
Just researched CKP providers and found the cost to be just under £1000. I have been advised to book and start this course as soon as possible to enhance my chances. I am more than willing to pay this and start it ASAP, even though interviews wouldn't take place until mid-July. My only reservation is if for some reason I didn't get through, it'd be a grand spent with nothing to show?
I know I could use it if I then reapplied, but that might be a while off and I'm not in a position where I could just wait 12 months. My current job is stable but I don't want to do it any longer than I have to if I can help it!
Thanks for amy advice.
I'm after a bit of advice after attending a PC awareness seminar this evening at my local Police HQ. I am very keen to apply when it opens in May.
Just researched CKP providers and found the cost to be just under £1000. I have been advised to book and start this course as soon as possible to enhance my chances. I am more than willing to pay this and start it ASAP, even though interviews wouldn't take place until mid-July. My only reservation is if for some reason I didn't get through, it'd be a grand spent with nothing to show?
I know I could use it if I then reapplied, but that might be a while off and I'm not in a position where I could just wait 12 months. My current job is stable but I don't want to do it any longer than I have to if I can help it!
Thanks for amy advice.
I'd say unless you need it (Met require it, not sure who else does) then I wouldn't bother.
I've heard quality is pretty inconsistent and most of what it covers, is pretty basic (as you would expect) and you only relearn it as you go through your training.
If you want some useful experience for examples and general s
ttyness of the job, have you considered the specials? It's pretty much 'the job' lite (and then some).
I'd also say, neither will make getting in easier. It seems like luck is more help in the initial stages....
Either way, good luck!
I've heard quality is pretty inconsistent and most of what it covers, is pretty basic (as you would expect) and you only relearn it as you go through your training.
If you want some useful experience for examples and general s
ttyness of the job, have you considered the specials? It's pretty much 'the job' lite (and then some).I'd also say, neither will make getting in easier. It seems like luck is more help in the initial stages....
Either way, good luck!
They now require it as a minimum for entry.
I have no problem investing in it as I would stay in the force for a long time. My main reservation is whether to wait and see if I get through the first stage so at least I have slightly more chance of success in return for my hard earned.
However I suppose I should bet on myself and go ahead early and get it out of the way while remaining confident.
I have no problem investing in it as I would stay in the force for a long time. My main reservation is whether to wait and see if I get through the first stage so at least I have slightly more chance of success in return for my hard earned.
However I suppose I should bet on myself and go ahead early and get it out of the way while remaining confident.
It lasts for 3 years IIRC?
If you're going for the MET you will be in before it lapses.
You can also apply before completing the CKP. Ring HR to check but when I applied I hadn't completed it. All they required was evidence I'd applied for a course after I passed my day 2.
As it is, I've transferred my application to another force so never did it.
If you're going for the MET you will be in before it lapses.
You can also apply before completing the CKP. Ring HR to check but when I applied I hadn't completed it. All they required was evidence I'd applied for a course after I passed my day 2.
As it is, I've transferred my application to another force so never did it.
I'd wait. The Tory's plan to be rid of another 17000 Police in the first two years of the next Parliament. I can see another big halt in the miniscule recruiting that's taken place so far.
You could be wasting a grand. If you really, really want in, join the Specials then you won't have to do the course.
You could be wasting a grand. If you really, really want in, join the Specials then you won't have to do the course.
You'll still need it if you want to move from Special to regular. The course is ok but stupidly fast paced so the chances of you remembering anything by the time you get in is very low.
I used an online one called e-laws who were fine and were a bit cheaper (800 quid) than some of the others.
I used an online one called e-laws who were fine and were a bit cheaper (800 quid) than some of the others.
Elroy Blue said:
Not in my Force or surrounding ones. Specials and PCSOs don't need it. It is however, a nice little earner for those that run it.
One of our Supt set up one of these courses and was also involved in ensuring that you need a course to be able to join.... very corrupt!He retired just after it became a requirement and now rakes in the money
Bigends said:
Spoke to my force trainers this morning plus a Special who's applying to join. The qualification is a must and you must pass all exams before they'll take you on. As a Special he gets a £100 discount as he already has an NCALT account
Yep this is what I have seen. It's a new initiative to make joining the Police more 'professional' like teaching etc.I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but as I am intent on joining my local Force, I will complete it at my own expense. Put it this way, £1k for a long and enjoyable career is better than £20+K at university to do several jobs I have hated!
Elroy Blue said:
Not in my Force or surrounding ones. Specials and PCSOs don't need it. It is however, a nice little earner for those that run it.
Sorry I didn't mean you have to have the CKP to be a Special. But if you are a Special and want to join full time you will need the CKP. I think this is the case across the country. At least when I did the CKP there were people from all over, some of whom were specials. It is definitely the case in Cheshire (where the OP is) as that's where I am based.But I would echo those saying join the specials first - see whether you are cut out for it and whether you still like it. Its obviously not the same as doing the job full time (a lot less paperwork and associated crap) but it will at least give you an idea.
And as Bigends says, you will get a £100 discount as a special because you will already have access to NCALT (which is a real joy!)
MattHall91 said:
Yep this is what I have seen. It's a new initiative to make joining the Police more 'professional' like teaching etc.
I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but as I am intent on joining my local Force, I will complete it at my own expense. Put it this way, £1k for a long and enjoyable career is better than £20+K at university to do several jobs I have hated!
You seem pretty sure that if you join then it will be a long and happy career. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but as I am intent on joining my local Force, I will complete it at my own expense. Put it this way, £1k for a long and enjoyable career is better than £20+K at university to do several jobs I have hated!
Without wishing to sound rude you sound very naive in how you think it is going to be. Do yourself a favour and before chucking a grand at it either go to your local station and see if you can get some type of observation/rideout time or join as a special and get at least some taste of what it will be like. £1000 is a lot of money to throw at something when you have no real idea what it is going to be like and at the end of it you're not guaranteed a job anyway!
TheBear said:
MattHall91 said:
Yep this is what I have seen. It's a new initiative to make joining the Police more 'professional' like teaching etc.
I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but as I am intent on joining my local Force, I will complete it at my own expense. Put it this way, £1k for a long and enjoyable career is better than £20+K at university to do several jobs I have hated!
You seem pretty sure that if you join then it will be a long and happy career. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but as I am intent on joining my local Force, I will complete it at my own expense. Put it this way, £1k for a long and enjoyable career is better than £20+K at university to do several jobs I have hated!
Without wishing to sound rude you sound very naive in how you think it is going to be. Do yourself a favour and before chucking a grand at it either go to your local station and see if you can get some type of observation/rideout time or join as a special and get at least some taste of what it will be like. £1000 is a lot of money to throw at something when you have no real idea what it is going to be like and at the end of it you're not guaranteed a job anyway!
I don't learn from other people telling me things anyway. I need to do.
Thanks for your concern.
FurryExocet said:
One of our Supt set up one of these courses and was also involved in ensuring that you need a course to be able to join.... very corrupt!
He retired just after it became a requirement and now rakes in the money
I like the quote "very corrupt" that sums up the police force He retired just after it became a requirement and now rakes in the money
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