Police Force - So, what's it like?
Discussion
This is mainly aimed at the Police officers on this forum, but I'm happy to take the advice of anybody else also 
I've been considering applying to the Police for a while now, and i'm now seriously considering completing my application. What i'd really appreciate is some views of serving officers as to what the job's like, what I can do to fully research the role and what kind of things I would likely be involved in day-to-day?
Thanks guys
Dave
I've been considering applying to the Police for a while now, and i'm now seriously considering completing my application. What i'd really appreciate is some views of serving officers as to what the job's like, what I can do to fully research the role and what kind of things I would likely be involved in day-to-day?
Thanks guys
Dave
Involved in. Anything. Expect good days, expect bad days expect great days. Expect to be supprised. Expect to make so good friends. I don't regret what I do for a minute. I think I am lucky to be able to do a job I enjoy. Do something else first so you join when your a little older (mid twenties is good). Make contact with your local force and arrange some ride alongs as they are one of the best ways to see it warts and all.
Put your application in Dave - it's a long process, so you've plenty of time to think about it and withdraw if you change your mind, but I know that the windows for applications are short and infrequent, so get yours in!
For tips on the application procedure, have a look here...
www.police-recruitment.com/one2/phpBB2/
You'll find far more tips on the recruitment process than I could ever offer you, as it's 17 years since I joined and things have changed a lot.
I've never regretted joining up - I've done and seen things that I'd never have experienced otherwise. I've laughed so hard I could barely stand, and I've occasionally cried. I've been in the shit and I've been put in hospital. I've been scared out of my wits and I've been bored out of my skull. I've been frustrated beyond belief and I've been excited to the point where I can actually feel my body producing the Adrenalin.
Despite all the problems in the modern Police, I'm glad I made the career choice that I did. It's not a job for shrinking violets, and it's not a job for money-heads. If you join for the wrong reasons, you'll be sussed out by your colleagues very quickly, but if you go in with an open, inquisitive mind and a willingness to learn not only how it should be done, but also how it's actually done, then you'll be fine.
For tips on the application procedure, have a look here...
www.police-recruitment.com/one2/phpBB2/
You'll find far more tips on the recruitment process than I could ever offer you, as it's 17 years since I joined and things have changed a lot.
I've never regretted joining up - I've done and seen things that I'd never have experienced otherwise. I've laughed so hard I could barely stand, and I've occasionally cried. I've been in the shit and I've been put in hospital. I've been scared out of my wits and I've been bored out of my skull. I've been frustrated beyond belief and I've been excited to the point where I can actually feel my body producing the Adrenalin.
Despite all the problems in the modern Police, I'm glad I made the career choice that I did. It's not a job for shrinking violets, and it's not a job for money-heads. If you join for the wrong reasons, you'll be sussed out by your colleagues very quickly, but if you go in with an open, inquisitive mind and a willingness to learn not only how it should be done, but also how it's actually done, then you'll be fine.
R_U_LOCAL said:
If you join for the wrong reasons, you'll be sussed out by your colleagues very quickly, but if you go in with an open, inquisitive mind and a willingness to learn not only how it should be done, but also how it's actually done, then you'll be fine.
Thanks for the link, it looks VERY useful
What do you mean by 'wrong reasons'? I'm not a 'money-head' (I currently work for a charity!), I simply wish to have a varied working life and above all, to get home at the end of my shift feeling that, in some small way, i've made a difference - working for a charity means that I get to indirectly 'make a difference' but not being on the front line, actually making the difference, frustrates me
Mad Dave said:
R_U_LOCAL said:
If you join for the wrong reasons, you'll be sussed out by your colleagues very quickly, but if you go in with an open, inquisitive mind and a willingness to learn not only how it should be done, but also how it's actually done, then you'll be fine.
Thanks for the link, it looks VERY useful
What do you mean by 'wrong reasons'? I'm not a 'money-head' (I currently work for a charity!), I simply wish to have a varied working life and above all, to get home at the end of my shift feeling that, in some small way, i've made a difference - working for a charity means that I get to indirectly 'make a difference' but not being on the front line, actually making the difference, frustrates me
If you want to make a real difference i wouldnt reccomend joining the police.
If you want to make a difference to figures that management and government care about then do. Honestly giving a quality service is of no interest to the powers that be, simply meeting targets. Do the victims of crime care about this? No they just want to be treat well by the police, unfortunately you dont get time to do that for chasing statistics!
Mad Dave said:
R_U_LOCAL said:
If you join for the wrong reasons, you'll be sussed out by your colleagues very quickly, but if you go in with an open, inquisitive mind and a willingness to learn not only how it should be done, but also how it's actually done, then you'll be fine.
Thanks for the link, it looks VERY useful
What do you mean by 'wrong reasons'? I'm not a 'money-head' (I currently work for a charity!), I simply wish to have a varied working life and above all, to get home at the end of my shift feeling that, in some small way, i've made a difference - working for a charity means that I get to indirectly 'make a difference' but not being on the front line, actually making the difference, frustrates me
Some people join on a bit of a power trip. The application process is designed to weed these people out, but a few still get through. They don't generally last through their probation though, as they're easily spotted by more experienced officers.
Oh, and don't listen to the cynical element who tell you that the jobs a pile of you-know-what. The job, in my experience, is what you make of it. Those who spend their lives whinging about it generally won't actually do something about it and leave. The only cynics you should listen to are the ones who have got up from their arses and left the job for something better for them. And believe me, they're few and far between.
Been in just over 3 years:
Variety of jobs ranging from some really silly stuff which you have just gotta laff at to some serious stuff involving dead people.
One minute you are catching loose sheep and the next being thrown out of an ambulance backwards when trying to section someone and then being called every name under the sun by a 12 year old!
You do get to have good fun with the mates you make on shift and make the crap jobs seem a whole lot better.
Lots of Paperwork! which even after 3 years ive noticed has increased.
Get some good jobs where you get a good result and actually do some good.
Get some crap jobs where everything goes wrong and no matter how hard you try you just cant get a positive thing from it.
Meet a WIDE variety of people some good some scummy and smelly like.
Have a laff and sometimes throw up or cry. Wide mix of emotions.
Get on a good team and have fun and alot of support through the crap times.
Pretty much never know what to expect from day to day or job to job. Become a Jack of all trades. Possibilities of specialising at something or promotion.
Id probably do it again if i had the chance.
And a good social life within the police if you want it and get a good team. Expect to loose alot of social life outside the police and probably friends.
Eat lots of fast food.
If ya have any Q's then feel free to email me or PM me.
Variety of jobs ranging from some really silly stuff which you have just gotta laff at to some serious stuff involving dead people.
One minute you are catching loose sheep and the next being thrown out of an ambulance backwards when trying to section someone and then being called every name under the sun by a 12 year old!
You do get to have good fun with the mates you make on shift and make the crap jobs seem a whole lot better.
Lots of Paperwork! which even after 3 years ive noticed has increased.
Get some good jobs where you get a good result and actually do some good.
Get some crap jobs where everything goes wrong and no matter how hard you try you just cant get a positive thing from it.
Meet a WIDE variety of people some good some scummy and smelly like.
Have a laff and sometimes throw up or cry. Wide mix of emotions.
Get on a good team and have fun and alot of support through the crap times.
Pretty much never know what to expect from day to day or job to job. Become a Jack of all trades. Possibilities of specialising at something or promotion.
Id probably do it again if i had the chance.
And a good social life within the police if you want it and get a good team. Expect to loose alot of social life outside the police and probably friends.
Eat lots of fast food.
If ya have any Q's then feel free to email me or PM me.
I'm not Plod, but have several old friends that are. I did consider applying some twenty years ago.
Just a few comments;
A large number of youngsters (male and female) do appear to be on some sort of "power kick". This appears to wear of after a few years in the job. I saw the attitude of Plod friends change over the years from the "I'm something special becasue I'm Bib" to a more balanced approach.
The adrenalin highs are addictive and consequently the job.
Th job has one of the highest divorce rates of any occupation. It takes its toll on marriage, relationships and family life. This knowledge didn't appear to bother my friends when they first started on the job. However, now they are fourty somethings it is an area of regret.
Just my two pence worth.
pp
Just a few comments;
A large number of youngsters (male and female) do appear to be on some sort of "power kick". This appears to wear of after a few years in the job. I saw the attitude of Plod friends change over the years from the "I'm something special becasue I'm Bib" to a more balanced approach.
The adrenalin highs are addictive and consequently the job.
Th job has one of the highest divorce rates of any occupation. It takes its toll on marriage, relationships and family life. This knowledge didn't appear to bother my friends when they first started on the job. However, now they are fourty somethings it is an area of regret.
Just my two pence worth.
pp
Thanks to all for the advice, it's all very interesting. I shall fine tune my application and get it submitted this weekend
Interesting. I wonder why this is - it can't just be the shift work, surely? Plenty of other professions entail unsociable hours. My girlfriend is an A&E Nurse so i'm used to dealing with the shifts and barely seeing her for a week at a time when she's on nights so i'm sure we could deal with that, but I wonder what else it is that splits up marriages! Maybe the emotional side? I very often find my other half in tears, mainly when a biker has come in and left in a bag and she gets scared as i ride bikes. Anyway, hopefully if I get in I won't be another statistic!!
Pickled Piper said:
Th job has one of the highest divorce rates of any occupation. It takes its toll on marriage, relationships and family life. This knowledge didn't appear to bother my friends when they first started on the job. However, now they are fourty somethings it is an area of regret.
Interesting. I wonder why this is - it can't just be the shift work, surely? Plenty of other professions entail unsociable hours. My girlfriend is an A&E Nurse so i'm used to dealing with the shifts and barely seeing her for a week at a time when she's on nights so i'm sure we could deal with that, but I wonder what else it is that splits up marriages! Maybe the emotional side? I very often find my other half in tears, mainly when a biker has come in and left in a bag and she gets scared as i ride bikes. Anyway, hopefully if I get in I won't be another statistic!!
When I joined the recruiting Sgt said 'welcome, You've just made 190,000 new friends'
Policing is unique, and not for everyone. I think the most courageous people are those who realise at an early stage it is not for them and have the guts to resign.
My advice would be give it a go. Bear in mind the wages/pension scheme ( which has just changed) and do the sums as to whether you can afford to join.
If you do join you will find yourself in situations you never thought possible and do things that only other police officers can relate to.
On occasions you will laugh so much it hurts, on other occasions you will cry.
One bit of advice: Run to a fire. Walk to a fight.
Policing is unique, and not for everyone. I think the most courageous people are those who realise at an early stage it is not for them and have the guts to resign.
My advice would be give it a go. Bear in mind the wages/pension scheme ( which has just changed) and do the sums as to whether you can afford to join.
If you do join you will find yourself in situations you never thought possible and do things that only other police officers can relate to.
On occasions you will laugh so much it hurts, on other occasions you will cry.
One bit of advice: Run to a fire. Walk to a fight.
Mad Dave said:
Thanks to all for the advice, it's all very interesting. I shall fine tune my application and get it submitted this weekend
Interesting. I wonder why this is - it can't just be the shift work, surely? Plenty of other professions entail unsociable hours. My girlfriend is an A&E Nurse so i'm used to dealing with the shifts and barely seeing her for a week at a time when she's on nights so i'm sure we could deal with that, but I wonder what else it is that splits up marriages! Maybe the emotional side? I very often find my other half in tears, mainly when a biker has come in and left in a bag and she gets scared as i ride bikes. Anyway, hopefully if I get in I won't be another statistic!!
Pickled Piper said:
Th job has one of the highest divorce rates of any occupation. It takes its toll on marriage, relationships and family life. This knowledge didn't appear to bother my friends when they first started on the job. However, now they are fourty somethings it is an area of regret.
Interesting. I wonder why this is - it can't just be the shift work, surely? Plenty of other professions entail unsociable hours. My girlfriend is an A&E Nurse so i'm used to dealing with the shifts and barely seeing her for a week at a time when she's on nights so i'm sure we could deal with that, but I wonder what else it is that splits up marriages! Maybe the emotional side? I very often find my other half in tears, mainly when a biker has come in and left in a bag and she gets scared as i ride bikes. Anyway, hopefully if I get in I won't be another statistic!!
Its because police officers (male and female) are terrible for sleeping with each other thereby causing the high divorce rate. Seen it myself many many many times!
Me? I choose not to dip my pen in the company ink....More hassle than it is worth
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