Joining the Police
Discussion
Greendubber said:
andy_s said:
I saw this the other day, not sure what my grizzled, old, whiskey in the bottom drawer, 30 fags a day, snout on the blower, DCI would have made of it all... 
Police detective entry system targets graduates
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44433881
It's ridiculous, 12 weeks? Police detective entry system targets graduates
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44433881
Priceless.
Greendubber said:
andy_s said:
I saw this the other day, not sure what my grizzled, old, whiskey in the bottom drawer, 30 fags a day, snout on the blower, DCI would have made of it all...
Police detective entry system targets graduates
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44433881
It's ridiculous, 12 weeks? Police detective entry system targets graduates
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44433881
Priceless.
Doesn't stop the BBC from their half facts reporting agenda though.
Saying that PoliceNow entrants will have a head start come the 2nd year mark compared to normal confirmed in rank Probationers
Update time...
I've decided to withdraw my application. I've had sleepless nights trying to work out what to do. I've spent years wanting nothing else. I've had relationships end because of it (for the better however).
Few reasons why. The main one being I'm still waiting for my final interview. I've heard they have intakes for the next year, so its likely to be end of 2019/2020. I can't put my life on hold anymore. HR still haven't got back to me almost a month after I emailed them about it. Along with the drop in pay, needing a degree and seeing how stressed/tired everyone is. Those that loved the job a few years ago and where job pissed are hating it. I don't want that life.
I'm currently studying for my first of three tests to become a driving instructor.
I've decided to withdraw my application. I've had sleepless nights trying to work out what to do. I've spent years wanting nothing else. I've had relationships end because of it (for the better however).
Few reasons why. The main one being I'm still waiting for my final interview. I've heard they have intakes for the next year, so its likely to be end of 2019/2020. I can't put my life on hold anymore. HR still haven't got back to me almost a month after I emailed them about it. Along with the drop in pay, needing a degree and seeing how stressed/tired everyone is. Those that loved the job a few years ago and where job pissed are hating it. I don't want that life.
I'm currently studying for my first of three tests to become a driving instructor.
LosingGrip said:
Update time...
I've decided to withdraw my application. I've had sleepless nights trying to work out what to do. I've spent years wanting nothing else. I've had relationships end because of it (for the better however).
Few reasons why. The main one being I'm still waiting for my final interview. I've heard they have intakes for the next year, so its likely to be end of 2019/2020. I can't put my life on hold anymore. HR still haven't got back to me almost a month after I emailed them about it. Along with the drop in pay, needing a degree and seeing how stressed/tired everyone is. Those that loved the job a few years ago and where job pissed are hating it. I don't want that life.
I'm currently studying for my first of three tests to become a driving instructor.
That's a shame, given how long you wanted to get that position - but I don't blame you! I've decided to withdraw my application. I've had sleepless nights trying to work out what to do. I've spent years wanting nothing else. I've had relationships end because of it (for the better however).
Few reasons why. The main one being I'm still waiting for my final interview. I've heard they have intakes for the next year, so its likely to be end of 2019/2020. I can't put my life on hold anymore. HR still haven't got back to me almost a month after I emailed them about it. Along with the drop in pay, needing a degree and seeing how stressed/tired everyone is. Those that loved the job a few years ago and where job pissed are hating it. I don't want that life.
I'm currently studying for my first of three tests to become a driving instructor.
PC pay levels have been massively reduced in the last few years - to the extent someone I know who is a PCSO would have to take a pay cut to be a PC!
Good luck with the driving instruction.
If you've come this far why withdraw your application ?
Live your life, study for the driving instructor qualification and wait for the final interview.
My advice would be to carry on with the process simply because you have nothing to lose and it seems silly to pull the plug now.
Decide if you want a career in the police if/ when they offer you the job.
Live your life, study for the driving instructor qualification and wait for the final interview.
My advice would be to carry on with the process simply because you have nothing to lose and it seems silly to pull the plug now.
Decide if you want a career in the police if/ when they offer you the job.
Andyhb said:
Big mistake.
Driving instructor, for the next thirty years?
Dont believe all the complainers. Its Dorset your joining? Hardly a tough constabulary, how difficult can it possibly be?
Police would be longer than 30 years. I believe them because I've seen it as a Special. Driving instructor, for the next thirty years?
Dont believe all the complainers. Its Dorset your joining? Hardly a tough constabulary, how difficult can it possibly be?
Red 4 said:
If you've come this far why withdraw your application ?
Live your life, study for the driving instructor qualification and wait for the final interview.
My advice would be to carry on with the process simply because you have nothing to lose and it seems silly to pull the plug now.
Decide if you want a career in the police if/ when they offer you the job.
Forgot to mention...my assessment day result only lasts for a year. Waiting to hear back from HR to clarify this (having emailed them at the start of September...). Haven't sent the withdrawal email yet. Sat in my drafts. If they turn round and say interview within the next couple of months with start date shortly after then fantastic I'll have to think about it some more. Live your life, study for the driving instructor qualification and wait for the final interview.
My advice would be to carry on with the process simply because you have nothing to lose and it seems silly to pull the plug now.
Decide if you want a career in the police if/ when they offer you the job.
So you haven't withdrawn then...your assessment centre was only in June? You've not really been waiting that long then.
It might be important to you but you are viewed as a number, and they are weighing their recruitment requirements.
What shifts do you do as a special? Most specials seemed to like working weekend lates(ie the most demanding shifts) when the non hobby bobbies are stressing over picking up files, dealing with high volume calls) for the excitement factor. This could explain the griping you have encountered.
It might be important to you but you are viewed as a number, and they are weighing their recruitment requirements.
What shifts do you do as a special? Most specials seemed to like working weekend lates(ie the most demanding shifts) when the non hobby bobbies are stressing over picking up files, dealing with high volume calls) for the excitement factor. This could explain the griping you have encountered.
I can relate to what you're saying as I had similar when I joined. The process for me actually took 3 years from start to finish due to changes in the process, recruitment freezes etc. It was frustrating as I was having to do short contract work and it was quite frankly soul destroying.
The job has changed massively over the last five years, we're completely reactive now, there simply isn't enough staff, moral is lower than ever, work loads are unmanageable and with the pay fiasco we're all feeling it. Everyone is pissed off.
There's no shame in pulling out, bobbies are leaving left right and centre at the moment and I honestly don't think that currently I'd suggest joining to anyone. My Mrs is a DC with 11 years in and she wants out and I'm thinking about my options too. We both have what could be considered 'Gucci' roles but we honestly hate being treated like s
t with no support from the job. Welfare is non existent, she had a period of time off last year with severe anxiety and stress which was no fun at all and there are similar cases everywhere.
Think long and hard about it, it's certainty no picnic.
The job has changed massively over the last five years, we're completely reactive now, there simply isn't enough staff, moral is lower than ever, work loads are unmanageable and with the pay fiasco we're all feeling it. Everyone is pissed off.
There's no shame in pulling out, bobbies are leaving left right and centre at the moment and I honestly don't think that currently I'd suggest joining to anyone. My Mrs is a DC with 11 years in and she wants out and I'm thinking about my options too. We both have what could be considered 'Gucci' roles but we honestly hate being treated like s
t with no support from the job. Welfare is non existent, she had a period of time off last year with severe anxiety and stress which was no fun at all and there are similar cases everywhere. Think long and hard about it, it's certainty no picnic.
As a special I saw alot of grumbling and complaining and talk of the good old days.
I got that alot in old jobs too, people who had been in roles too long complaining. Yes there have been big cuts but in our force there's talk of upskilling people alot faster than the old days, fast track into CID, Gucci units etc and rather than showing you've spent 10yrs in one role not evidencing that you've developed yourself someone who can come in and say 'yes in my spare time I do this, I'm doing that etc'. That's what they want. What's wrong with that?
I'm still in two minds if it's for me partly due to the money and how tight it is but there are aspects that I get giddy over, stuff that you'd never ever experience in an office etc.
I got that alot in old jobs too, people who had been in roles too long complaining. Yes there have been big cuts but in our force there's talk of upskilling people alot faster than the old days, fast track into CID, Gucci units etc and rather than showing you've spent 10yrs in one role not evidencing that you've developed yourself someone who can come in and say 'yes in my spare time I do this, I'm doing that etc'. That's what they want. What's wrong with that?
I'm still in two minds if it's for me partly due to the money and how tight it is but there are aspects that I get giddy over, stuff that you'd never ever experience in an office etc.
I've been a Police Special for 6 months for Gloucestershire and last week I emailed my SC Inspector that I'm resigning.
Doing the Specialing around a full time job and with a wife also working full time was near impossible. I seriously don't know how some specials can manage it. The only way would be to be living with parents and working a part time job.
Coupled with the fact that the regulars are constantly grumbling, shift work, terrible pay and the rubbish they have to put up with- no thanks. I was talking to a regular who only joined last year, aged 25 and he wasn't sure if he made the right choice. Another regular I spoke to, middle aged man, been in the force for 15 years basically sighed and said "only 15 more years left until I can retire." That's the attitude.
Doing the Specialing around a full time job and with a wife also working full time was near impossible. I seriously don't know how some specials can manage it. The only way would be to be living with parents and working a part time job.
Coupled with the fact that the regulars are constantly grumbling, shift work, terrible pay and the rubbish they have to put up with- no thanks. I was talking to a regular who only joined last year, aged 25 and he wasn't sure if he made the right choice. Another regular I spoke to, middle aged man, been in the force for 15 years basically sighed and said "only 15 more years left until I can retire." That's the attitude.
For some balance OP
I'm a 3 year PC on a 'gucci' unit as people here seem to put it. In a very busy county, prior to getting on my current unit I worked in the busiest area in the force understaffed and o we worked and they were the best years I've had.
Before that I was a special for several years and worked for the police as a civilian staff member in a few roles. It took me from first application to joining 3 years?
Yes the money isn't great, however you know that when you apply so I don't see that as a valid reason to write if off, it isn't like it's a surprise? Though if you're willing to do the OT and seek it out you can make good money, my flat rate is around 25k but with OT and certain priority payments I'll clear about 42k if I keep earning as I am (admittedly this isnt the case for everybody) and if you scale that up to year 7 I work with PCs making over 55k...
Yes it's a demanding job, however at no point have I ever felt overwhelmed, even when dealing with upwards of 50 investigations simultaneously (the average norm even in a busy urban area chronically understaffed is around 10-15 which is easily manageable even when mixed with demand IMO).
I'm certainly not jobbed pissed, there are many many issues with it, but the biggest strength and weakness of the job is it's resilience.vthe people I work with could have let it go wrong on many occasions however most officers are the type of person who make things work regardless.
The police is a strange world and I'd urge you not to take you're experience as a special as grounds to say you know what the jobs about. Having done both, I can honestly say you don't get the breadth of experiences and knowledge as an SC. Perfect example when I tutor a new PC after ten weeks they have more hours and jobs under their belt than a 16hpm SC gets in about 30 months.
I'd say stick with it, train as a driving instructor, get in the job and do both? You can do that and will always have an option if you don't like it. For every 10 year PC who can't or won't look to develop there are plenty of opportunities to take for yourself.
Sorry if I rambled typed on a phone walking a baby!
I'm a 3 year PC on a 'gucci' unit as people here seem to put it. In a very busy county, prior to getting on my current unit I worked in the busiest area in the force understaffed and o we worked and they were the best years I've had.
Before that I was a special for several years and worked for the police as a civilian staff member in a few roles. It took me from first application to joining 3 years?
Yes the money isn't great, however you know that when you apply so I don't see that as a valid reason to write if off, it isn't like it's a surprise? Though if you're willing to do the OT and seek it out you can make good money, my flat rate is around 25k but with OT and certain priority payments I'll clear about 42k if I keep earning as I am (admittedly this isnt the case for everybody) and if you scale that up to year 7 I work with PCs making over 55k...
Yes it's a demanding job, however at no point have I ever felt overwhelmed, even when dealing with upwards of 50 investigations simultaneously (the average norm even in a busy urban area chronically understaffed is around 10-15 which is easily manageable even when mixed with demand IMO).
I'm certainly not jobbed pissed, there are many many issues with it, but the biggest strength and weakness of the job is it's resilience.vthe people I work with could have let it go wrong on many occasions however most officers are the type of person who make things work regardless.
The police is a strange world and I'd urge you not to take you're experience as a special as grounds to say you know what the jobs about. Having done both, I can honestly say you don't get the breadth of experiences and knowledge as an SC. Perfect example when I tutor a new PC after ten weeks they have more hours and jobs under their belt than a 16hpm SC gets in about 30 months.
I'd say stick with it, train as a driving instructor, get in the job and do both? You can do that and will always have an option if you don't like it. For every 10 year PC who can't or won't look to develop there are plenty of opportunities to take for yourself.
Sorry if I rambled typed on a phone walking a baby!
Edited by Tom1312 on Thursday 20th September 10:44
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