joining the police
Discussion
I dont have any regrets about joining the Police but it has changed a lot since 1984.
This however, is a continual change and if you join now then you wont know any different.
You certainly need to investigate further and see what your options are. Perhaps a visit to your local Force recruitment centre and try to get a feel for exactly what goes on.
I do enjoy what i do and get a lot of pleasure from it. Obviously its got its good days and bad days but im pleased to say that the good days still outnumber the bad ones.
Once you have served your 2 years probationary period then you can specialise.
To specialise in traffic or the like then you need to have a good grounding of basic Police work first and you also need to demonstrate an aptitude for the post.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
This however, is a continual change and if you join now then you wont know any different.
You certainly need to investigate further and see what your options are. Perhaps a visit to your local Force recruitment centre and try to get a feel for exactly what goes on.
I do enjoy what i do and get a lot of pleasure from it. Obviously its got its good days and bad days but im pleased to say that the good days still outnumber the bad ones.
Once you have served your 2 years probationary period then you can specialise.
To specialise in traffic or the like then you need to have a good grounding of basic Police work first and you also need to demonstrate an aptitude for the post.
Good luck in whatever you decide.
I enjoyed my 20 years tremendously, but as Tony says it has changed an awfull lot since I joined in the seventies, and not always for the better. I was fortunate in that I spent the best part of 18 years on Traffic, and I look back with great fondness of the time I had, and I saw and did many things that most members of the public can only dream of.
Having been on the outside looking in for a while now, it is easy to se that you quickly become institutionalised but this soon passes, and I have to say that I wouldn't want to do the job now as it is a different job to the one I did, but you won't notice any difference for probably about 10 years or so.
The job has plenty of variety, security, comradship, and a way of life the envy of many. Give it a go, if you find it is not for you, you can always resign.
Having been on the outside looking in for a while now, it is easy to se that you quickly become institutionalised but this soon passes, and I have to say that I wouldn't want to do the job now as it is a different job to the one I did, but you won't notice any difference for probably about 10 years or so.
The job has plenty of variety, security, comradship, and a way of life the envy of many. Give it a go, if you find it is not for you, you can always resign.
ed with it ! 
Well I think (generally speaking) all Policemen (and women) are wonderful, they do a very taxing job, especially in today's violent climate, work unsociable hours, for not a great amount of pay, considering the risks and responsibility, so I say well done all of you, from this grateful member of the public 
I still enjoy it, but you have to be able to maintain a very good sense of humour.
I wouldn't encourage my son joining in todays climate, as 9 times out of 10 you deal with a complete nutter who would like nothing better than to kebab you.
Certainly don't let anything put you off, if you have humour, and like a physical job where you can genuinely try to do something worthwhile, then my advice is to do it. But bear it in mind that generally the public's reaction is a hostile one, and the job isn't at all as shown on telly. It is probably the best job you can do if you have the right attitude.
If mini silverback wanted to join I wouldn't stop him, but would certainly point out a few things to him, to give him a realistic insight.
There are some sights you will see that you will never forget, but there are somethings that you do that will keep you laughing for years and years.
Do it, you wont regret it, just be aware of what the job entails.
As with anyone that would like to join, I am more than happy to talk to them, If you would like to, then email me off list.
Mike.
PS. I know it is purely a personal opinion, but I think the most worthwhile form of policing (and hardest) is being a district officer. (No offence to the traffic chaps, but that is a different specialisation with its own complexities, and each to their own.)
You will have to do 2 yrs on the streets, and would be generally unlikely to change to another specialisation within 5 yrs.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Saturday 6th December 11:31
I wouldn't encourage my son joining in todays climate, as 9 times out of 10 you deal with a complete nutter who would like nothing better than to kebab you.
Certainly don't let anything put you off, if you have humour, and like a physical job where you can genuinely try to do something worthwhile, then my advice is to do it. But bear it in mind that generally the public's reaction is a hostile one, and the job isn't at all as shown on telly. It is probably the best job you can do if you have the right attitude.
If mini silverback wanted to join I wouldn't stop him, but would certainly point out a few things to him, to give him a realistic insight.
There are some sights you will see that you will never forget, but there are somethings that you do that will keep you laughing for years and years.
Do it, you wont regret it, just be aware of what the job entails.
As with anyone that would like to join, I am more than happy to talk to them, If you would like to, then email me off list.
Mike.
PS. I know it is purely a personal opinion, but I think the most worthwhile form of policing (and hardest) is being a district officer. (No offence to the traffic chaps, but that is a different specialisation with its own complexities, and each to their own.)
You will have to do 2 yrs on the streets, and would be generally unlikely to change to another specialisation within 5 yrs.
>> Edited by silverback mike on Saturday 6th December 11:31
You should go for it,
Its not a quick process so you will have pleanty of time to think about it after you send in your application form. I sent my application at the end of august and have my interview on Jan 12th for a start date of april 3rd if i pass. And thats quite a quick application by all accounts. I applied to Thames Valley Police BTW.
Mungo, Where will you be training? Brams Hill Or Ryton?
Gareth
Its not a quick process so you will have pleanty of time to think about it after you send in your application form. I sent my application at the end of august and have my interview on Jan 12th for a start date of april 3rd if i pass. And thats quite a quick application by all accounts. I applied to Thames Valley Police BTW.
Mungo, Where will you be training? Brams Hill Or Ryton?
Gareth
mungo said:
is this piston heads or the wanbe storm troper forum.
Come on Outlaw, join up too! Reckon I would love to be on the beat with you and ... well... maybe we could even share a donut between us?
>> Edited by mungo on Friday 5th December 23:56
I could just see there faces if i asked for a aplication form. down at the local station
My bro just passed his medical too (second time of applying to the same force).
In his case he wanted to join a specific force and on being rejected initially he had to wait 12 months to reapply. Apparently here in Cambridgeshire there are lots of applicants and not many jobs. He's wanted to do it for as long as he can remember so is well chuffed he's finally got the nod.
Obviously in his case it wasn't a swift process (all in all it took about 18 months) but if you really want it, and aren't too in flexible as to where you go I'm sure you can get in a lot quicker than that (I mean, if they'll let Mungo in.....)
In his case he wanted to join a specific force and on being rejected initially he had to wait 12 months to reapply. Apparently here in Cambridgeshire there are lots of applicants and not many jobs. He's wanted to do it for as long as he can remember so is well chuffed he's finally got the nod.
Obviously in his case it wasn't a swift process (all in all it took about 18 months) but if you really want it, and aren't too in flexible as to where you go I'm sure you can get in a lot quicker than that (I mean, if they'll let Mungo in.....
)gemini said:
Still enjoying my time
18 years in now
Ive just started a case building team - the joy is its brand new and no onesed with it !
now thats something unusual in the Bill!
When you've built your first case, will you please put Brunstrom in it and firmly nail down the lid...........
Wacky Racer said:
is this piston heads or the wanbe storm trooper forum.
Come on outlaw, lighten up..
I bet your a pussy cat really!
I am to someone winds me up.
we lets put it this way i couldent joine em even if I wanted to, NOT that I would ever want too.
long record
the list is endless
hey but im retired now
WD* said:
What about health aspects? I'm quite small and not very tough, but I'm sure some sort of class could sort that out. However, I also have asthma, though it isn't too much of a problem in general. Would this affect my appliceation?
I would have thought that asthma may be a problem, you can work out and get a bit of strength but if you can't run after someone (or run away from someone
) I would have thought that might be an issue for the BiB? Added: or am i just being ignorant about asthma, i have never had it and don't know anyone with it, i just remember kids at school not doing games because of it.
>> Edited by hedders on Sunday 7th December 00:02
Here you go WD:- taken from policecouldyou.co.uk
Forces will reject applicants with:
Diabetes Mellitus or those who are clinically overweight
Persistent Upper Gastro Intestinal Tract Disease
A history of inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Non-asthmatic chronic respiratory disorders
Asthma (currently on treatment, including inhalers)
Spontaneous Pneumothorax (on two or more occasions)
A history of either back disorder or knee dysfunction requiring treatment; recurrent dislocation of major joint; major foot deformities
A history of psychotic illness
Most neurotic or stress related psychiatric disorders
Drug misuse or alcoholism
Eating disorders
Sociopathic behaviour
On psychotropic medication
A history of Menieres Disease
Perforated eardrum
Less than average hearing
Hypertension requiring treatment
Uncorrected congenital heart disease
A history of coronary heart disease
An epileptic seizure after five years of age
Any degenerative neurological disease
Chronic genito-urinary disorders
Gareth
edited to add: But phone recruitment for your area they will be able to tell you wether ur case is acceptable or not.
>> Edited by ^Slider^ on Sunday 7th December 00:52
Forces will reject applicants with:
Diabetes Mellitus or those who are clinically overweight
Persistent Upper Gastro Intestinal Tract Disease
A history of inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis or Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Non-asthmatic chronic respiratory disorders
Asthma (currently on treatment, including inhalers)
Spontaneous Pneumothorax (on two or more occasions)
A history of either back disorder or knee dysfunction requiring treatment; recurrent dislocation of major joint; major foot deformities
A history of psychotic illness
Most neurotic or stress related psychiatric disorders
Drug misuse or alcoholism
Eating disorders
Sociopathic behaviour
On psychotropic medication
A history of Menieres Disease
Perforated eardrum
Less than average hearing
Hypertension requiring treatment
Uncorrected congenital heart disease
A history of coronary heart disease
An epileptic seizure after five years of age
Any degenerative neurological disease
Chronic genito-urinary disorders
Gareth
edited to add: But phone recruitment for your area they will be able to tell you wether ur case is acceptable or not.
>> Edited by ^Slider^ on Sunday 7th December 00:52
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