Police officers looking for alternate careers - suggestions
Discussion
I am a serving PC, been in 5 yrs, have seen enough to know this isnt a 35 yr career for me - pay freezes, pension changes, change of role and lack of support both from senior officers and Government.
I have retail experience and am ex Prison Service prior to the Police. Qualified to GCSE level plus a level 4 NVQ in Policing (sure thats worth the paper its written on)
It is now getting time for a change in my opinion. But to what, I have no idea. Ideally a salary of 30k+ and not 9-5 office work, although if needs must.
I have looked around, and there is nothing local. I have given consideration to offshore work, security work etc, but dont have a clue where to start.
Writing a cover letter with Dear Sir, I can fire a Taser and have riot experience doesnt really cut it.
I have been suggested to look at the care industry - childrens care homes etc, but I couldnt do it - they are left to do as they wish, no rules etc - not for me.
Anyone give me some inspiration please - the thought of another 3yr pay freeze and losing 10% in extra pension and taxes isnt appealing, not for what I do.
I have retail experience and am ex Prison Service prior to the Police. Qualified to GCSE level plus a level 4 NVQ in Policing (sure thats worth the paper its written on)
It is now getting time for a change in my opinion. But to what, I have no idea. Ideally a salary of 30k+ and not 9-5 office work, although if needs must.
I have looked around, and there is nothing local. I have given consideration to offshore work, security work etc, but dont have a clue where to start.
Writing a cover letter with Dear Sir, I can fire a Taser and have riot experience doesnt really cut it.
I have been suggested to look at the care industry - childrens care homes etc, but I couldnt do it - they are left to do as they wish, no rules etc - not for me.
Anyone give me some inspiration please - the thought of another 3yr pay freeze and losing 10% in extra pension and taxes isnt appealing, not for what I do.
QuantumTokoloshi said:
Why not look at policing in another country, Australia, Canada, Afghanistan 
etc. Try joining the IPA (International Police Association) as a starting point, you may make some contacts etc.
Good call there. If you want to really widen your horizons, perhaps consider close protection? etc. Try joining the IPA (International Police Association) as a starting point, you may make some contacts etc.
broken biscuit said:
Received. Think I might have an issue with the first due to red/green colour deficiency, but will make some enquiries after Christmas thankyou
Could be an issue!I'll happily answer any questions regarding care etc. It's actually a lot more fun than people think, and massively rewarding of course. But do not go into it for the money.
All the best.
Care puts me off - after 5 yrs of dealing with care homes, runaway kids, 13yr olds who are allowed to smash up their care homes, trash their carers cars and generally do what they like, under the guise of placement by social workers, who tell carers to 'phone the Police if they run off, dont follow them', and then moan when they end up whoring themselves or smacked/drunk off their faces and say Police didnt do anything. Having been on the front of everything, I have become cynical and intolerant of muppets.
in the last week I have seen care home kids of 13/14 paralytic drunk, writing on walls, throwing furniture, swearing, screaming, running off at 4am for a laugh. To have to work with them daily is not for me - it would not be rewarding, more frustrating.
in the last week I have seen care home kids of 13/14 paralytic drunk, writing on walls, throwing furniture, swearing, screaming, running off at 4am for a laugh. To have to work with them daily is not for me - it would not be rewarding, more frustrating.
One way of confirming if your competencies are transferable is to spread your net widely and apply for those roles you think you would enjoy (and at the salary you aspire to). The feedback from those applications will give you a more evidence based status of your employability and worth. I would also commend seeking out recruiters who may have placed other police officers so know more about where they can place you and on what salary. I'd also state (of course I would!), that a top notch CV should be your starting point in order to articulate your skills and competencies to a future employer. Good luck!
My father retired from the Police after 34 years service at age 54 (now 67)
Started working for a few estate agents / picking up keys / preparing houses for viewings / for sale signs up-down etc.
Soon set up his own business providing above services and now employs a couple of other ex-coppers to do the running about while he does most of the paperwork etc from home.
Being trustworthy is obviously a given as in alot of cases he is the first person on the property etc.
Started working for a few estate agents / picking up keys / preparing houses for viewings / for sale signs up-down etc.
Soon set up his own business providing above services and now employs a couple of other ex-coppers to do the running about while he does most of the paperwork etc from home.
Being trustworthy is obviously a given as in alot of cases he is the first person on the property etc.
Edited by driver67 on Monday 24th December 19:57
Train driver,shift work but minumum 12hours rest and max of 13 consecutive days.Similar pay and it's a job for live, management progression if you fancy it.Very hard to get into but there's some recruitment going on.Check train company websites.It is mostly the commuter companies which recruit from the street.My company cherry picks already qualified drivers but that could be for your future.
W124Bob said:
Train driver,shift work but minumum 12hours rest and max of 13 consecutive days.Similar pay and it's a job for live, management progression if you fancy it.Very hard to get into but there's some recruitment going on.Check train company websites.It is mostly the commuter companies which recruit from the street.My company cherry picks already qualified drivers but that could be for your future.
Exactly what I mentioned Bob, especially after my recent success. See the OPs first reply to me.If you are anywhere near London and you know your way around you could walk into a top line chauffeur job easily. Salaries are £30k to £50k for the right employer - varied hours and lots of variety - as ex-police you would be very employable.
Google "domestic staff agencies" for the best jobs with high profile families.
Google "domestic staff agencies" for the best jobs with high profile families.
shunaphil said:
If you are anywhere near London and you know your way around you could walk into a top line chauffeur job easily. Salaries are £30k to £50k for the right employer - varied hours and lots of variety - as ex-police you would be very employable.
Google "domestic staff agencies" for the best jobs with high profile families.
People who are married with children can pretty much forget working for a private employer. Married is OK, children not.Google "domestic staff agencies" for the best jobs with high profile families.
Car sales? seriously, I have seen the coppers on roadwars etc and I have to say the attitude/mentality/general intelligence is about the same. Not prestige though, stick to volume. Maybe Ford?
Same basic interrogation skills required when closing in on the deal as when dealing with a hardened criminal.
There *are* a lot of ex Police who go into car sales.
Same basic interrogation skills required when closing in on the deal as when dealing with a hardened criminal.
There *are* a lot of ex Police who go into car sales.
Plenty of BiB colleagues have left the job in the last 12-18 months but they've all taken massively different career paths. A lot depends on what your policing background is, there seems to be more demand for those with investigative qualifications rather than the more hands-on uniform style, and there's also the issue as to what your skills/qualifications are outside the job i.e. what did you do beforehand/are you a graduate etc?
Here's what a few BiB friends have done in the 12-18 months or so:
3 have transferred to Australian police (both DCs and PCs)
1 left and started teaching Pilates workshops
Financial investigator for a bank
Security for various events management firms
Chauffeur
Train Driver
Graduate retail management scheme
Solicitor (costs a few quid and takes time to qualify)
Financial Advisor (ditto)
Youth Employment Advisor
Corporate Finance
Claims Investigator for Insurance
MI5 Intel Officer (zzz)
Offshore Security Manager for an oil firm (£££)
There's a million different things you can do, but cops come with a wide variety of skill sets, some more useful than others. If you have a CT background then the big global security firms will pay huge sums for your services if you're up to date with current threat briefings.
I was (am) looking to leave the cops too, but recent new child has put that on hold for a short while. There's a million things you can do after leaving, but worth considering whether or not you want to retrain or get some new skills before you hand your warrant card back in.
You will have far more skills and experience than you realise after 5 years in the cops and (hopefully) a very good work ethic. Decide what you want to do first and why it is that you joined the cops and the reason that you no longer want to stay.
Here's what a few BiB friends have done in the 12-18 months or so:
3 have transferred to Australian police (both DCs and PCs)
1 left and started teaching Pilates workshops
Financial investigator for a bank
Security for various events management firms
Chauffeur
Train Driver
Graduate retail management scheme
Solicitor (costs a few quid and takes time to qualify)
Financial Advisor (ditto)
Youth Employment Advisor
Corporate Finance
Claims Investigator for Insurance
MI5 Intel Officer (zzz)
Offshore Security Manager for an oil firm (£££)
There's a million different things you can do, but cops come with a wide variety of skill sets, some more useful than others. If you have a CT background then the big global security firms will pay huge sums for your services if you're up to date with current threat briefings.
I was (am) looking to leave the cops too, but recent new child has put that on hold for a short while. There's a million things you can do after leaving, but worth considering whether or not you want to retrain or get some new skills before you hand your warrant card back in.
You will have far more skills and experience than you realise after 5 years in the cops and (hopefully) a very good work ethic. Decide what you want to do first and why it is that you joined the cops and the reason that you no longer want to stay.
I am in the same boat 5 years police service and since the change to a single force I am desperate to change my career. I am sick of the bully boy tactics of the bosses and I am totally disillusioned at the way the job has gone. Unfortunately there are few jobs out there and less that will pay the wage I need to have the standard of living I have now. Which is pretty average. I would not recommend joining the police to anyone.
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