Any Metpol help with TOCU advice

[diddly]

Evenin'All (sorry!)

I've just been accepted back into the Met after 3 1/2 years away. I was lined up to join P9 but there are no vacancies there or Traffic. I've been advised TOCU may have vacancies. It was not about previously. Any experience/advice on applying for this?

I have no problems with returning to Borough, however having been ex-Trafpol and expanded on skills in training and driving/biking since leaving I would like to put those skills to good use

Thanks in advance

Tom

[Brian.]

You might want to ask about joining one of the ANPR units. As far as I know they still need people. A number of officers (generally young in service and without your skills) are being posted to these units as a way into traffic once they have expressed an interest.

The TOCU's are, to my mind, not really traffic orientated as they work for Ken and deal mainly with buses. Although, it could be a good option if you like spending your time dealing with non-fare payers on bendy buses all day.

[diddly]

Thanks for the reply. I certainly dont want to be a glorified bus ticket inspector. The official intranet blurb sounds interesting though, particularly supervising PCSOs, as I will go for promotion asap. Who looks after ANPR units?

[Brian.]

Don't quote me on this, but I think they still fall under the Traffic umbrella. They always have a traffic car present for fail to stops etc and it either has traffic officers in it or their own. Wanting to go for promotion could be a good thing as *I think* they have difficulty getting skippers for it. You doing the exam this month?

[Tonyrec]

As far as im aware, we cant recruit enough skilled people into the Traffic unit. We keep getting non skilled people who have to be trained. Now there is a shortage of Courses!

The ANPR unit at my Garage are all back door Trafpols. They get the white hats etc etc and TD on their shoulders. Trouble is that there are no courses to get them up to a basic standard.

My advice is enquire yourself with the Traffic HQ.

[diddly]

Thanks both, I certainly won't be taking the exam this year as I'm still waiting for a re-joining date. I passed my medical on Monday and was given a form asking where I want to be posted, i.e the boroughs or TfL.It's been suggested that I will get a date for early May so I'm looking at the options, thinking that I may as well use as many skills as possible rather than just punting an RT car about, although, if necessay I will do that.

Where's Traffic HQ these days? I was told by Recruitment that there are no vacancies, although the Central Ch.Insp was my reporting skipper at TDC before I went to TDB on Area expansion so I may be able to make direct enquiries!

[Hollywood Wheels]

I don't think TOCU is as bad as some people make out. I actually applied for a six month stint at Lambeth, but was knocked back 'coz of a polcoll which was still being investigated. I fancied a change of scenery. A mate is on it and tells me that although buses etc are their remit, anything even remotely transport related is fair game. He therefore works pan-Borough targetting street crime etc. They don't have any RT cars though so you might get a bit bored driving a Zafira around!

[diddly]

Interesting what you say about the 6 month stint. Is this the length of a posting to them or something the Job has introduced for many postings? As for boredom- I've spent most of the last 3 year keeping to the speed limit and using dual controls-even a Zafira would be interesting!

[Hollywood Wheels]

The sixth month thing was a 'quick fix' which was advertised locally, namely because they were well short of drivers, particularly PSU carrier drivers. It would have been a nice change for me, but as i say i was knocked back. I know there's money to be made on TOCU, with a lot of pre-planned ops. There is plenty of opportunity for solo's as well, they have their own fleet of off-road type bikes and i think the courses have dried up for people already on it. I'm led to believe it's a much more relaxed approach to being on Division as well. If you've been away for a while it's gotta be a whole lot better than being dumped on a semi-inner.

HW

[diddly]

Thanks HW, I've got a couple of numbers for their HR, sounds better than L or M !!

Tom

[Tonyrec]

Its all at Empire State Building (ESB).....6TH/13TH Floor.

Certainly worth giving them a try. Failing that, the ANPR side could be worth enquiring about.

If you need any contact detail send me a mail.