Joining the Police

[defblade]

Recruitment said:

The results have been finalised and details of your tests are provided below:

Physical Fitness Test

5/4 Achieved

Police Initial Recruitment Test (PIR)

Pass

I am pleased to confirm that the results of these tests indicate that you have met the criteria to pass the assessments. Therefore, I am in a position to invite you to a Special Constable interview. Further details will follow in the near future.

This is the point where I might have been asking for tips for the interview, but I decided years ago that I will simply be myself in interviews... I believe that trying to pretend to be something you're not to "pass" an interview will end up with you not happy in a role that doesn't suit you and/or with bosses who aren't happy with the person who turns up for the job compared to the one they saw in the interview. Just a waste of everyone's time all round.

Edited by defblade on Sunday 13th January 11:49

[DS240]

defblade said:

Recruitment said:

The results have been finalised and details of your tests are provided below:

Physical Fitness Test

5/4 Achieved

Police Initial Recruitment Test (PIR)

Pass Mark = 138, score = 243

I am pleased to confirm that the results of these tests indicate that you have met the criteria to pass the assessments. Therefore, I am in a position to invite you to a Special Constable interview. Further details will follow in the near future.

This is the point where I might have been asking for tips for the interview, but I decided years ago that I will simply be myself in interviews... I believe that trying to pretend to be something you're not to "pass" an interview will end up with you not happy in a role that doesn't suit you and/or with bosses who aren't happy with the person who turns up for the job compared to the one they saw in the interview. Just a waste of everyone's time all round.

Don’t even think about the promotion process later down the line then!.....

The rules aren’t quite clear beyond passing the promotion exam... oh no, many hoops to jump through, with frequent changing conditions and a need to ‘play the game’. Some advanced ‘playing of the game’ involves doing someone’s legs in (not physically), the bosses love a bit that to stand out, with disciplinary action really getting top marks. Lower level players start CC’ing everyone in the force on emails to remind you of something which would normally just be a conversation. You always know when there is a promotion process coming up.

For some reason, normal policing and past experience goes out the window at promotion process and just being yourself is a risky tactic.

[Derek Smith]

Red 4 said:

Chicken Chaser said:

ED209 said:

Very similar circs to me apart from I must have joined a year before you. So I was one year closer to my initial retirement date when I had the rug pulled with 18 years service

I was just shy of 24 when I joined so they increased mine by 6 years. I intend to go at 55 though, and find another job for 5 years. I'll take my lesser pension and top it up with an extra income.

The argument I have is that I joined the police as a career. 13 years down the line I was pretty much tied to the job, and with no trade to fall back upon. It's not like a career where you go to a competitor for better conditions, you just have to accept what st they throw at you. If I knew what I know now, when I was younger .........

I think that's pretty much what "they" want.

Retire when you can - take what you can - saves "them" a fortune (not least on the lump sum).

Indeed. It's not a proper pension scheme as such. It was designed to bind officers to the job. In the 60s, 70s, and to a lesser extent the 80s, the Job was hemorrhaging experienced officers. 7 year PCs, with a fair bit of investment in them, were leaving at high rates. The left with just their contributions, and not even interest.

The are many skills that are transferable. I was approached by a credit card company after I did a job for them. The conditions were excellent, the pension comparable if not better, and the extras were remarkable. I was tempted despite the loss of pension rights, but I'd just had my fourth child and the risk was too great.

I met a bloke who went with me for the interview, and he accepted as shorter in service, just after I retired. He was still working. He'd got better pay, and given the shares and such that he'd been able to buy, his 'lump sum' that he hoped for in a few years exceeded mine. He had his own office, shared a secretary. Own car. He went to many European countries with his role, of late taking his wife who went shopping and saw the sights. He said that he'd been to a German town (I forget which) many times but had only seen it through the windows of the transfer car and from the meeting room windows.

He said he'd probably do the same again, because of the better money, conditions and pension, but he missed the variation of the Job. He said that for his job, things had changed a fair bit (I thought, tell me about it) and he was glad he'd got in when he did. But then, every old bugger says that.

So there are jobs where police skills are of value, but probably not at the cost of the pension with even 15+ years in.

The pension is a double-edged sword that has been of massive assistance in stopping officers leaving. I think everyone goes through times when one wants to try something different and I'm certain that if I'd had a normal pension I'd have jumped at the credit card job. But then, I'd have been office bound, with office politics. I'm not sure I'd not have been looking for another out after a couple of years.

My elder daughter is on her fourth job since leaving school. She's now going self-employed. My younger daughter is being interviewed for her third job, and my younger lad is on his second job, and looking around but without any great pressure to move on at the moment. Regularly changing jobs is the norm it seems.

But not for those tied into the police pension scheme.

[LosingGrip]

Update time...

TLDR: Passes my final interview

Long version...

Looked at moving my application to the MET, however due to personal reasons it wasn't going to work. December I got a email saying they are hoping to do final interviews towards the end of January.

Didn't hear anything until end of last week inviting me to my interview Friday just gone. Lots of panicking. Interviews are not my strong point.

I had suspected siatica so been off work for the last week not able to do much, so managed to get lots of prep in. Literally been dreaming of the NDM and Policing Professional Framework!

Along with my back I also had a case of man flu and a dodgy stomach. Was half tempted to postpone it.

Went along anyway and it only lasted 15 minutes or so. Thought I had blown it. The email said 30 minutes, the SGT before said there is no time limit.

Get called back in and ask how I think it went. Say I think I didn't answer some of the questions enough and rambled on some of the others.

Got told I passed and let out a huge sigh of relief. Couldn't believe it. Best feeling.

Now just got my medical and fitness to do alongside vetting. Looking at a start date of July or September.

Hoping for July as one it's sooner and two it's not the degree intake so start on 22kish compares to 18k and a three year probation compared to two years.

[The Mad Monk]

TL:DR

Why does it take so long?

[wiliferus]

LosingGrip said:

Update time...

TLDR: Passes my final interview

Long version...

Looked at moving my application to the MET, however due to personal reasons it wasn't going to work. December I got a email saying they are hoping to do final interviews towards the end of January.

Didn't hear anything until end of last week inviting me to my interview Friday just gone. Lots of panicking. Interviews are not my strong point.

I had suspected siatica so been off work for the last week not able to do much, so managed to get lots of prep in. Literally been dreaming of the NDM and Policing Professional Framework!

Along with my back I also had a case of man flu and a dodgy stomach. Was half tempted to postpone it.

Went along anyway and it only lasted 15 minutes or so. Thought I had blown it. The email said 30 minutes, the SGT before said there is no time limit.

Get called back in and ask how I think it went. Say I think I didn't answer some of the questions enough and rambled on some of the others.

Got told I passed and let out a huge sigh of relief. Couldn't believe it. Best feeling.

Now just got my medical and fitness to do alongside vetting. Looking at a start date of July or September.

Hoping for July as one it's sooner and two it's not the degree intake so start on 22kish compares to 18k and a three year probation compared to two years.

Congrats!! I CBA to read the whole thread... which force are you applying to?

[LosingGrip]

The Mad Monk said:

TL:DR

Why does it take so long?

The whole process from the start of this thread? Failed a couple of times at the assessment centre and had to appeal the result of one which then put me one stage behind.

[Greendubber]

wiliferus said:

LosingGrip said:

Update time...

TLDR: Passes my final interview

Long version...

Looked at moving my application to the MET, however due to personal reasons it wasn't going to work. December I got a email saying they are hoping to do final interviews towards the end of January.

Didn't hear anything until end of last week inviting me to my interview Friday just gone. Lots of panicking. Interviews are not my strong point.

I had suspected siatica so been off work for the last week not able to do much, so managed to get lots of prep in. Literally been dreaming of the NDM and Policing Professional Framework!

Along with my back I also had a case of man flu and a dodgy stomach. Was half tempted to postpone it.

Went along anyway and it only lasted 15 minutes or so. Thought I had blown it. The email said 30 minutes, the SGT before said there is no time limit.

Get called back in and ask how I think it went. Say I think I didn't answer some of the questions enough and rambled on some of the others.

Got told I passed and let out a huge sigh of relief. Couldn't believe it. Best feeling.

Now just got my medical and fitness to do alongside vetting. Looking at a start date of July or September.

Hoping for July as one it's sooner and two it's not the degree intake so start on 22kish compares to 18k and a three year probation compared to two years.

Congrats!! I CBA to read the whole thread... which force are you applying to?

I'd keep that under your hat to be honest, based on some of the fists that frequent the police related threads on this forum.

[wiliferus]

Greendubber said:

I'd keep that under your hat to be honest, based on some of the fists that frequent the police related threads on this forum.

That’s a very fair point.

As you were.

[Red 4]

Greendubber said:

I'd keep that under your hat to be honest, based on some of the fists that frequent the police related threads on this forum.

Good advice.

I was banned from a police related thread recently - seemingly for arguing (ie contradicting the nonsense posted by one very well known anti-police member of this forum).

I believe similar has happened to you.

Said member appears to have employed a new tactic when the thread doesn't: exactly go his way - and that thread most definitely did not go his way.
I've never known so many members contradict/ criticise/ call out someone for being a Walt as happened to said member on that thread

With that in mind I concur completely with your reasoning.

Edited by Red 4 on Sunday 27th January 14:14

[Greendubber]

Red 4 said:

Greendubber said:

I'd keep that under your hat to be honest, based on some of the fists that frequent the police related threads on this forum.

Good advice.

I was banned from a police related thread recently - seemingly for arguing (ie contradicting the nonsense posted by one very well known anti-police member of this forum).

I believe similar has happened to you.

Said member appears to have employed a new tactic when the thread doesn't: exactly go his way - and that thread most definitely did not go his way.
I've never known so many members contradict/ criticise/ call out someone for being a Walt as happened to said member on that thread

With that in mind I concur completely with your reasoning.

Edited by Red 4 on Sunday 27th January 14:14

I've never been banned from a thread but received a warning about googling someones user name, seeing it on another forum along with his real name and referring to him by his real first name.

Horrific stuff I'm sure you'll agree, simply looking at public posts on another forum and calling someone their name.

[Red 4]

Greendubber said:

I've never been banned from a thread but received a warning about googling someones user name, seeing it on another forum along with his real name and referring to him by his real first name.

Horrific stuff I'm sure you'll agree, simply looking at public posts on another forum and calling someone their name.

Oh well, the badge of honour for being banned is all mine then

It was a bit strange considering some other posters were much more abusive/ aggressive towards this individual than me.

The fact he chose to report me must mean he really likes me.

I never did get an explanation from the mods.

Anyway, just a heads up. A certain individual has taken to reporting people ...

I wouldn't put it past him to report serving officers to their respective forces - hence my agreement with your advice.

[Greendubber]

Red 4 said:

Greendubber said:

I've never been banned from a thread but received a warning about googling someones user name, seeing it on another forum along with his real name and referring to him by his real first name.

Horrific stuff I'm sure you'll agree, simply looking at public posts on another forum and calling someone their name.

Oh well, the badge of honour for being banned is all mine then

It was a bit strange considering some other posters were much more abusive/ aggressive towards this individual than me.

The fact he chose to report me must mean he really likes me.

I never did get an explanation from the mods.

Anyway, just a heads up. A certain individual has taken to reporting people ...

I wouldn't put it past him to report serving officers to their respective forces - hence my agreement with your advice.

Exactly, can't handle being corrected, posts the same rubbish time and time again and continually ball bags himself, pathetic.

At least other non job posters are seeing his true colours and starting to supply relevant feedback.

[Derek Smith]

LosingGrip said:

Update time...

TLDR: Passes my final interview

Well done. Best of luck.

I envy you the experiences to come.

Mind you, perhaps not all of them.

[Who me ?]

For folks considering Police as a career, I've mentioned it before, but it's here again- Adverts on local buses would suggest that Warks Police are recruiting.

[pavarotti1980]

Red 4 said:

Good advice.

I was banned from a police related thread recently - seemingly for arguing (ie contradicting the nonsense posted by one very well known anti-police member of this forum).

I believe similar has happened to you.

Said member appears to have employed a new tactic when the thread doesn't: exactly go his way - and that thread most definitely did not go his way.
I've never known so many members contradict/ criticise/ call out someone for being a Walt as happened to said member on that thread

With that in mind I concur completely with your reasoning.

Edited by Red 4 on Sunday 27th January 14:14

Did Captain Mainwaring report you?

[Red 4]

pavarotti1980 said:

Did Captain Mainwaring report you?

I was banned from the thread after replying to/ commenting on one of his posts.

I wasn't at loggerheads with anyone else so I presume it was him !

The funny thing is, after I was banned, the thread went from bad to worse for him - it was the "Police shoot unarmed man in the back thread" over on NP&E in case you are wondering.

It's worth revisiting simply for the comedy value of some replies aimed at him

I expect he ran away to lick his wounds (he usually does).

[pavarotti1980]

Red 4 said:

I was banned from the thread after replying to/ commenting on one of his posts.

I wasn't at loggerheads with anyone else so I presume it was him !

The funny thing is, after I was banned, the thread went from bad to worse for him - it was the "Police shoot unarmed man in the back thread" over on NP&E in case you are wondering.

It's worth revisiting simply for the comedy value of some replies aimed at him

I expect he ran away to lick his wounds (he usually does).

I think there is something called karma at play

[Derek Smith]

I had a post removed recently. No explanation, just an email from a mod saying don't do it again, which is going to be difficult as they were unspecific.

I think it was for supporting something that they believed was illegal. If they'd asked I could have given them five links to show it wasn't but there was no dialogue.

I'd anticipated that I'd find such an unreasonable removal of a post very irritating but I just thought that it's their forum - whatever. Very strange - perhaps it's my age. I don't even want to know who complained despite them being wrong about it being wrong, or rather illegal.

It's strange that the only thing that irritated me about having a post removed was that it didn't irritate me.

Should I be banned from PH for not being bothered about being banned? Or at least having a post removed.

EDITED TO ADD; I complained about a post yesterday, and it was removed. It didn't occur to me to feel reluctant to do so.

[Dizeee]

Greendubber said:

I've never been banned from a thread but received a warning about googling someones user name, seeing it on another forum along with his real name and referring to him by his real first name.

Horrific stuff I'm sure you'll agree, simply looking at public posts on another forum and calling someone their name.

Did that actually happen on here? That's outrageous!

"Don't do it again or I'll tell you not to do it again"