Joining the Police...?
Discussion
So, would any of you Police Officers out there reccomend joining the Police....?
Back when I was 17 and chomping at the bit to join I did work experiance with Leicester Police. The general advice for me was to go away and get some "life experiance", come back and join in a few years.
Right, now nearly 28, been and seen loads etc...
What would be the advice now..?
Back when I was 17 and chomping at the bit to join I did work experiance with Leicester Police. The general advice for me was to go away and get some "life experiance", come back and join in a few years.
Right, now nearly 28, been and seen loads etc...
What would be the advice now..?
Id say yes, but its not what it used to be.
Still, I love my job and cant see myself doing anything different.
Its a good crack but it does have its highs and its lows, I wouldn't change it for the world!
(oh, start growing a hatred for the Home Sec!)
EDIT: Give recruiting for your local force a call and have a chat with them.
Still, I love my job and cant see myself doing anything different.
Its a good crack but it does have its highs and its lows, I wouldn't change it for the world!
(oh, start growing a hatred for the Home Sec!)
EDIT: Give recruiting for your local force a call and have a chat with them.
Edited by Greendubber on Thursday 13th December 23:21
The only way to find out if it's for you is to go and do it. No amounts of television documentaries or dramas can ever prepare you for the realities of the job.
You see things that most other people will never see, you'll have moments of extreme excitement and fear, mixed in with extended periods of complete boredom. You'll sometimes feel elated at a job well done, but you'll often (more often than not) become extremely frustrated with the things you can't do.
You'll grow an extremely thick skin very quickly, and if you don't, then you won't last. You'll discover skills that you never imagined you had, and you'll be amazed at what you're actually capable of coping with.
I occasionally try to describe my job to people outside of the Police, but they never really get it.
Have a go, try it for yourself, and see what you think. No-one will think any less of you if you decide it's not for you - in fact, I've loads of respect for the people who drop out rather than struggling through when they're clearly not right for the job.
And if you're successful in your application, make every effort to be the best street bobby that you can be. If you want to specialise, that's all well and good, but to be a good specialist, you've got to be a good street bobby first and foremost, so do 5 years on the beat/driving pandas before you move on to anything else.
And keep your sense of humour - you'll need it.
You see things that most other people will never see, you'll have moments of extreme excitement and fear, mixed in with extended periods of complete boredom. You'll sometimes feel elated at a job well done, but you'll often (more often than not) become extremely frustrated with the things you can't do.
You'll grow an extremely thick skin very quickly, and if you don't, then you won't last. You'll discover skills that you never imagined you had, and you'll be amazed at what you're actually capable of coping with.
I occasionally try to describe my job to people outside of the Police, but they never really get it.
Have a go, try it for yourself, and see what you think. No-one will think any less of you if you decide it's not for you - in fact, I've loads of respect for the people who drop out rather than struggling through when they're clearly not right for the job.
And if you're successful in your application, make every effort to be the best street bobby that you can be. If you want to specialise, that's all well and good, but to be a good specialist, you've got to be a good street bobby first and foremost, so do 5 years on the beat/driving pandas before you move on to anything else.
And keep your sense of humour - you'll need it.
Nice one, cheers for that.
Local is Leics of Notts really but it says that they arn't recruiting at the moment. To be honest not many forces are.
I'm a little concerned about the money, do they offer lots of overtime?
The biggest problem for me is the whole application process. Current job has me out of the country almost all the time. Will have to quit my job just to apply!
I will probably take your advice and give them a call.
Local is Leics of Notts really but it says that they arn't recruiting at the moment. To be honest not many forces are.
I'm a little concerned about the money, do they offer lots of overtime?
The biggest problem for me is the whole application process. Current job has me out of the country almost all the time. Will have to quit my job just to apply!
I will probably take your advice and give them a call.
R_U_LOCAL said:
The only way to find out if it's for you is to go and do it. No amounts of television documentaries or dramas can ever prepare you for the realities of the job.
You see things that most other people will never see, you'll have moments of extreme excitement and fear, mixed in with extended periods of complete boredom. You'll sometimes feel elated at a job well done, but you'll often (more often than not) become extremely frustrated with the things you can't do.
You'll grow an extremely thick skin very quickly, and if you don't, then you won't last. You'll discover skills that you never imagined you had, and you'll be amazed at what you're actually capable of coping with.
I occasionally try to describe my job to people outside of the Police, but they never really get it.
Have a go, try it for yourself, and see what you think. No-one will think any less of you if you decide it's not for you - in fact, I've loads of respect for the people who drop out rather than struggling through when they're clearly not right for the job.
And if you're successful in your application, make every effort to be the best street bobby that you can be. If you want to specialise, that's all well and good, but to be a good specialist, you've got to be a good street bobby first and foremost, so do 5 years on the beat/driving pandas before you move on to anything else.
And keep your sense of humour - you'll need it.
I would second this in it's entirety!You see things that most other people will never see, you'll have moments of extreme excitement and fear, mixed in with extended periods of complete boredom. You'll sometimes feel elated at a job well done, but you'll often (more often than not) become extremely frustrated with the things you can't do.
You'll grow an extremely thick skin very quickly, and if you don't, then you won't last. You'll discover skills that you never imagined you had, and you'll be amazed at what you're actually capable of coping with.
I occasionally try to describe my job to people outside of the Police, but they never really get it.
Have a go, try it for yourself, and see what you think. No-one will think any less of you if you decide it's not for you - in fact, I've loads of respect for the people who drop out rather than struggling through when they're clearly not right for the job.
And if you're successful in your application, make every effort to be the best street bobby that you can be. If you want to specialise, that's all well and good, but to be a good specialist, you've got to be a good street bobby first and foremost, so do 5 years on the beat/driving pandas before you move on to anything else.
And keep your sense of humour - you'll need it.
Be prepared to have people who have no understanding of just how difficult it can be continually telling you whats wrong with the police and how they would fix it.
Be under no illusion you will find yourself in positions where your own safety will be severly compromised. On other occasions so frustrated with the people who drive a desk justifying their own existance by constantly creating more irrelevant beaurocracy to slow you down.
I'm sure we could go on and on about whats wrong but the truth is that getting the right result for a decent MoP because you know within yourself that you've went that extra bit is enough to keep you going and see you through the rough times.
Edited by G51CAV on Friday 14th December 01:07
Try here: http://www.modpoliceofficers.co.uk/default.asp
Its a better job than the standard Police forces in many ways (no roads policing or domestic stuff) but it can also be boring sometimes, however the force is more of a family and doesn't have to roll over when the home sectretary says so. Usually armed and very often supporting local BiB's on big events.
I'd have joined myself if I'd have known a few years ago! a dogy knee and hearing loss now prevents me
My brothers been in for 6 years now and loves it!
Its a better job than the standard Police forces in many ways (no roads policing or domestic stuff) but it can also be boring sometimes, however the force is more of a family and doesn't have to roll over when the home sectretary says so. Usually armed and very often supporting local BiB's on big events.
I'd have joined myself if I'd have known a few years ago! a dogy knee and hearing loss now prevents me
My brothers been in for 6 years now and loves it!
G51CAV said:
Be prepared to have people who have no understanding of just how difficult it can be continually telling you whats wrong with the police and how they would fix it.
!Slightly Off-Topic Warning!I've always wanted to ask this, why do the police have such a resistance to suggestions by the public and always choose to ignore it? Is it because they're helpless to implement or suggest these changes to the powers that be or just that they're fixated in their way of thinking which is a pre-requisite to be in the forces?
Any other service in the private sector would relish customer feedback and suggestions to improve their services.
cluelessboy said:
G51CAV said:
Be prepared to have people who have no understanding of just how difficult it can be continually telling you whats wrong with the police and how they would fix it.
!Slightly Off-Topic Warning!I've always wanted to ask this, why do the police have such a resistance to suggestions by the public and always choose to ignore it? Is it because they're helpless to implement or suggest these changes to the powers that be or just that they're fixated in their way of thinking which is a pre-requisite to be in the forces?
Any other service in the private sector would relish customer feedback and suggestions to improve their services.
'why don't you feck off and catch some rapists' would be one such example.
Chrispy Porker said:
cluelessboy said:
G51CAV said:
Be prepared to have people who have no understanding of just how difficult it can be continually telling you whats wrong with the police and how they would fix it.
!Slightly Off-Topic Warning!I've always wanted to ask this, why do the police have such a resistance to suggestions by the public and always choose to ignore it? Is it because they're helpless to implement or suggest these changes to the powers that be or just that they're fixated in their way of thinking which is a pre-requisite to be in the forces?
Any other service in the private sector would relish customer feedback and suggestions to improve their services.
'why don't you feck off and catch some rapists' would be one such example.
I guess we're both generalising the opposing parties too much.
Next time I see a copper I'm gonna stop and produce a lengthy list of suggestions
Chrispy Porker said:
cluelessboy said:
G51CAV said:
Be prepared to have people who have no understanding of just how difficult it can be continually telling you whats wrong with the police and how they would fix it.
!Slightly Off-Topic Warning!I've always wanted to ask this, why do the police have such a resistance to suggestions by the public and always choose to ignore it? Is it because they're helpless to implement or suggest these changes to the powers that be or just that they're fixated in their way of thinking which is a pre-requisite to be in the forces?
Any other service in the private sector would relish customer feedback and suggestions to improve their services.
'why don't you feck off and catch some rapists' would be one such example.
cluelessboy said:
G51CAV said:
Be prepared to have people who have no understanding of just how difficult it can be continually telling you whats wrong with the police and how they would fix it.
!Slightly Off-Topic Warning!I've always wanted to ask this, why do the police have such a resistance to suggestions by the public and always choose to ignore it? Is it because they're helpless to implement or suggest these changes to the powers that be or just that they're fixated in their way of thinking which is a pre-requisite to be in the forces?
Any other service in the private sector would relish customer feedback and suggestions to improve their services.
How on earth do you suppose a muppet like me or thee is going to have anything valuable to add to the running of an immensely complicated service like the Police? What generally happens, so far as I can see from this forum, is that we whinge about something we don't like and tell them they should do it better.
All businesses are continually trading off the demands of their customer base with the operational limits imposed by resources, budgets, capacity and so on, and for services it is worse, because the customer's experience depends almost entirely on the attitude and frame of mind of the person at the point of delivery. To use the British Airways example, you can have the best-trained, best-supported staff in the world, but if the one stewardess you get has had a row with her boyfriend that morning, lost her dog, scratched her car and her shoes are too tight, your service experience is going to be rubbish.
The guys running the Police have years of experience at juggling the demands of their political masters, the budget constraints, the constant cries from public and media, the capabilities of their workforce....what makes you think you know better?
climbs down off
ajcj said:
cluelessboy said:
!Slightly Off-Topic Warning!
I've always wanted to ask this, why do the police have such a resistance to suggestions by the public and always choose to ignore it? Is it because they're helpless to implement or suggest these changes to the powers that be or just that they're fixated in their way of thinking which is a pre-requisite to be in the forces?
Any other service in the private sector would relish customer feedback and suggestions to improve their services.
Really? Try telling the guy who runs the NCP car park that I frequent how his payment process could be improved, or the British Airways stewardess that the food could be made more palatable and she could smile a bit more, the barman at my local how he could serve more customers in less time, the waiter at my Indian restaurant how the bhajis could be improved, and see what you get.I've always wanted to ask this, why do the police have such a resistance to suggestions by the public and always choose to ignore it? Is it because they're helpless to implement or suggest these changes to the powers that be or just that they're fixated in their way of thinking which is a pre-requisite to be in the forces?
Any other service in the private sector would relish customer feedback and suggestions to improve their services.
How on earth do you suppose a muppet like me or thee is going to have anything valuable to add to the running of an immensely complicated service like the Police? What generally happens, so far as I can see from this forum, is that we whinge about something we don't like and tell them they should do it better.
All businesses are continually trading off the demands of their customer base with the operational limits imposed by resources, budgets, capacity and so on, and for services it is worse, because the customer's experience depends almost entirely on the attitude and frame of mind of the person at the point of delivery. To use the British Airways example, you can have the best-trained, best-supported staff in the world, but if the one stewardess you get has had a row with her boyfriend that morning, lost her dog, scratched her car and her shoes are too tight, your service experience is going to be rubbish.
The guys running the Police have years of experience at juggling the demands of their political masters, the budget constraints, the constant cries from public and media, the capabilities of their workforce....what makes you think you know better?
climbs down off
Years of experience is invaluable and I can say for sure that I don't have the first clue on how to juggle so many demands from so many directions, however it doesn't change that fact that there is MORE THAN DEFINATELY room for improvement.
With all due respect, I can't understand the point of your post, are you saying we should just shut up, bend over and smile?
(Apologies for hijacking the thread! ajcj, I think if we wanna continue this discussion we can do so in another thread/PM)
Good point, must make New Year Resolution not to hijack threads.
To try to bring it back on topic, I guess i'm saying that if I want to make something better, my best chance of doing so is on the inside, so good on the OP, join up, get your experience, then get after that room for improvement!
To try to bring it back on topic, I guess i'm saying that if I want to make something better, my best chance of doing so is on the inside, so good on the OP, join up, get your experience, then get after that room for improvement!
It's a shame you're free time holds you back. I joined as a Special to gain some experience and thoroughly enjoy it.
I've worked a lot of the time with regular colleagues and hear the issues about pay and so forth, however the benefits still seem to outweigh the drawbacks and the vast majority of very experienced PC's are not put off the job by all the controversy that goes around regarding pretty much everything.
As long as you're good at covering your backside and have a thick skin you can generally last it out long enough to gain the experience you want to make an informed decision as to whether this is the right career move or not.
After a year of being a Special, I've decided to apply as a regular, with my assessment centre coming up soon.
If you do get the time, being a Special is a great try-before-you-buy method (so long as you don't mind not getting paid)
I've worked a lot of the time with regular colleagues and hear the issues about pay and so forth, however the benefits still seem to outweigh the drawbacks and the vast majority of very experienced PC's are not put off the job by all the controversy that goes around regarding pretty much everything.
As long as you're good at covering your backside and have a thick skin you can generally last it out long enough to gain the experience you want to make an informed decision as to whether this is the right career move or not.
After a year of being a Special, I've decided to apply as a regular, with my assessment centre coming up soon.
If you do get the time, being a Special is a great try-before-you-buy method (so long as you don't mind not getting paid)
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