Serving Police Officers - some advice please?
Discussion
Hi,
I'm a relative newbie to the forum (long time lurker, new poster) but I need a bit of advice from any serving police officers if possible.
Basically, to cut a long story short I have, after 5 years of going through the recruitment process, been preliminarily offered a Student Officer position with my local constabulary. The offer is dependent of references (unlikely to be an issue), a medical and the usual fitness tests. Start date is set for the 14th May and will involve a 20 week training period, with a fixed two-week leave period of 27th July - 12th August.
Since I applied in 2007, things have somewhat changed in my life. I've got a great job as a Funeral Director, working for a family firm in a small town nearby. I've been there for four years, prospects for advancement are reasonably limited but the job security is second to none. Potential earnings if I get to the 'top' (short of setting up my own business) are circa £35k ish. I could reach that point within the next 5 years or so, assuming people retire when they should, all things being equal etc etc. I've also now got my own place, a few projects on the go, I'm working towards a diploma (work related) and am generally pretty busy.
I've also just booked a week away with the missus, our first proper holiday for nearly three years, a week in Italy from the 20-27th May. We paid for a holiday a week before the letter arrived from the Police yesterday. I've also booked another holiday at the start of September for 6 days over at the 'Ring. Obviously neither of those holidays tie-in nicely with my potential Police training at all!
So, that's the background. When I applied for the Police I REALLY wanted to do it - the hunger was there, I wanted to 'make a difference' (pardon the cliche), I wanted to catch the baddies, help people, try to make things better etc but I'm really not sure if it's there anymore. I've waited almost 5 years and it feels like it's been such a long time coming that I almost don't want it anymore.
I've got a friend who's a PCSO down in West Sussex, who joined in 2009. She's just come back from maternity leave and even she says the job isn't what it used to be - I guess however this is a classic thing to say when someone's been there a while - familiarity breeds contempt and all that.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling. I guess what I'm asking is - what's it REALLY like being a Police Officer?
I can imagine its still a great career for the 'right' person, but is it the paperwork-riddled, bureaucratic nightmare that you tend to hear about? I can imagine it being quite frustrating at times, especially when you might spend ages putting a case together and it's thrown out of court on a technicality, or the CPS intervenes...whatever. Not to mention being at the bottom of the pile to begin with and probably being put on scene-guard for hours and hours without a break, boring boring etc....
I know no-one can actually answer this question - but am I doing the right thing, leaving a job that I enjoy, I know inside out and am settled in (with some great mates), for a job that is inevitably not just a job but a 'life', that means I likely have to sacrifice two holidays, but with potential for good career advancement and undoubtedly some very interesting experiences....I know its probably short-term loss for long-term gain, but still.
On a side note - Regarding the things I might "see" - I'm not one to make light of things but as you can probably imagine I've seen enough in my current job to adequately prepare me for some of the experiences that might put other people off.
Thanks in advance for any advice/experiences etc. I appreciate any time you might have to write a reply and I know you can't tell me what to do, but anything you can offer in terms of opinion or even general musings would be good.
Cheers
Tom
I'm a relative newbie to the forum (long time lurker, new poster) but I need a bit of advice from any serving police officers if possible.
Basically, to cut a long story short I have, after 5 years of going through the recruitment process, been preliminarily offered a Student Officer position with my local constabulary. The offer is dependent of references (unlikely to be an issue), a medical and the usual fitness tests. Start date is set for the 14th May and will involve a 20 week training period, with a fixed two-week leave period of 27th July - 12th August.
Since I applied in 2007, things have somewhat changed in my life. I've got a great job as a Funeral Director, working for a family firm in a small town nearby. I've been there for four years, prospects for advancement are reasonably limited but the job security is second to none. Potential earnings if I get to the 'top' (short of setting up my own business) are circa £35k ish. I could reach that point within the next 5 years or so, assuming people retire when they should, all things being equal etc etc. I've also now got my own place, a few projects on the go, I'm working towards a diploma (work related) and am generally pretty busy.
I've also just booked a week away with the missus, our first proper holiday for nearly three years, a week in Italy from the 20-27th May. We paid for a holiday a week before the letter arrived from the Police yesterday. I've also booked another holiday at the start of September for 6 days over at the 'Ring. Obviously neither of those holidays tie-in nicely with my potential Police training at all!
So, that's the background. When I applied for the Police I REALLY wanted to do it - the hunger was there, I wanted to 'make a difference' (pardon the cliche), I wanted to catch the baddies, help people, try to make things better etc but I'm really not sure if it's there anymore. I've waited almost 5 years and it feels like it's been such a long time coming that I almost don't want it anymore.
I've got a friend who's a PCSO down in West Sussex, who joined in 2009. She's just come back from maternity leave and even she says the job isn't what it used to be - I guess however this is a classic thing to say when someone's been there a while - familiarity breeds contempt and all that.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling. I guess what I'm asking is - what's it REALLY like being a Police Officer?
I can imagine its still a great career for the 'right' person, but is it the paperwork-riddled, bureaucratic nightmare that you tend to hear about? I can imagine it being quite frustrating at times, especially when you might spend ages putting a case together and it's thrown out of court on a technicality, or the CPS intervenes...whatever. Not to mention being at the bottom of the pile to begin with and probably being put on scene-guard for hours and hours without a break, boring boring etc....
I know no-one can actually answer this question - but am I doing the right thing, leaving a job that I enjoy, I know inside out and am settled in (with some great mates), for a job that is inevitably not just a job but a 'life', that means I likely have to sacrifice two holidays, but with potential for good career advancement and undoubtedly some very interesting experiences....I know its probably short-term loss for long-term gain, but still.
On a side note - Regarding the things I might "see" - I'm not one to make light of things but as you can probably imagine I've seen enough in my current job to adequately prepare me for some of the experiences that might put other people off.
Thanks in advance for any advice/experiences etc. I appreciate any time you might have to write a reply and I know you can't tell me what to do, but anything you can offer in terms of opinion or even general musings would be good.
Cheers
Tom
I can't really comment on what its like, as I only see bits and pieces, but everyone I've spoken to at the station I work at as a Special say they still love it when they first joined (ranges from 2 years to 20+ years).
Have you considered the Specials? 4 hours a week is the minium, but you'll get and inside to it, admittedly not as much as if you were a regular, and get to see if you'll enjoy it.
Have you considered the Specials? 4 hours a week is the minium, but you'll get and inside to it, admittedly not as much as if you were a regular, and get to see if you'll enjoy it.
A complex set of circumstances cannot provide a simple question and answer without spending some time with you. But in an attempt to simplify; do you crave excitement, seek challenge, adore lack of routine, have burning ambition and aspire to higher office with resultant salary increases? If you do, then the Police is for you. If you don't, then you know what the answer is. Good luck!
Yeah, I did forget to mention that while my current job is well paid, secure and fairly low on routine (every day is VERY different), I am suffering from a lack of challenge after 4 years in essentially the same role.
I appreciate your replies, as they are a unique set of complicated circumstances, but the more I think about it the more I have an idea of which route to pick - I can always have other holidays can't I?
I appreciate your replies, as they are a unique set of complicated circumstances, but the more I think about it the more I have an idea of which route to pick - I can always have other holidays can't I?
Ultimately only you can make the decision, but depending on how long you have to work for the police is still a relatively decent career option. If you're no longer finding your current job a challenge, how does the prospect of doing it in 5, 10, or 15 years time sound?
If you have the opportunity to start in the police, snatch it with both hands because the chances are you'll never get the opportunity again, even if it means you miss out on a Ring trip this once.
A few pros and cons about joining the cops to help you make your mind up:
Pros
1. Pay is relatively good, but don't believe all the tabloid b*llocks about officers earning £50,000 a year in overtime. Overtime is extremely rare these days and set to get rarer.
2. Huge range of career options within the same service: CID, traffic, firearms, intelligence, surveillance, counter-terrorism, neighbourhood policing, mounted, child protection, source handling etc etc.
3. Variety of the work is unparalleled. It's a cliche but no two days are the same (that said they can all get a bit samey sometimes). The range of skills you have to acquire is enormous.
4. Camaraderie. Absolutely the best part of the job and helps the police consistently punch above their weight in terms of morale and teamwork. Black humour is a must.
Cons
1. Shifts and anti-social hours. There is no job like the cops for being a homewrecker. Enthusiasm gets you through the first few years but do not underestimate the impact of shift work on your family and social life. Expect to work 3 weekends out of 5 on average with 10 hour minimum shifts that start roughly at 0700, 1500 or 2100 (exact times will depend on your force).
2. Conditions. The police is undergoing a huge period of reform at the moment, most of it is unlikely to be for the better. The upshot is cuts in pay, far fewer officers to do the same job, more rest days cancelled with little notice. Cops have no bargaining power with either the management or the government, and expect to be regularly shafted and be told to work when you don't expect to.
3. Development. The police are terrible at developing people's skills and careers. The courses they put you on (e.g. driving, interviewing) are very good and to a high standard but if you want to specialise or move up in rank, expect to do it all yourself in your own time and all at your own cost e.g. if you want to do your Sergeant's exam, expect to fork out £500 yourself on training materials, or about £300 for the CID exam etc.
4. Paperwork. To be honest paperwork is not as bad as people make out and it isn't hard. Most of it comes from the fact that you have a huge amount of power over people and ultimately you have to be able to justify and be accountable for what you have done and why (or not, as the case may be). Remember the police motto "Rectum Defendae" ("Cover Your Arse")
5. Scumbags. Forget Road Wars, I guarantee that wherever you work 90% of your time will not be spent dealing with robbers or drug dealers, but with the endless petty disputes of the underclass. I am completely serious when I say that the Jeremy Kyle Show is the most realistic depiction of the problems the police are called to deal with, except that in real life the protagonists will also be drunk and one of them will have a weapon. Read "Wasting Police Time" by David Copperfield or "Perverting the Course of Justice" by Inspector Gadget for an idea of what your daily work will involve. Also don't worry about losing court cases etc. The CPS do a fairly decent job of weeding out the non-starters and the conviction rate is very high (about 95% at Mags and 80% at Crown Court).
6. Violence. Expect to be punched, kicked, and spat at fairly regularly by psyched-up drunks. Get used to the idea of using force against people who don't want you to and who will not fight fairly but above all learn how to talk to people properly, most cops can't.
7. Do not expect anyone outside the police to have the faintest understanding of what the job involves (it won't stop them offering you advice on how to do it though).
If you have the opportunity to start in the police, snatch it with both hands because the chances are you'll never get the opportunity again, even if it means you miss out on a Ring trip this once.
A few pros and cons about joining the cops to help you make your mind up:
Pros
1. Pay is relatively good, but don't believe all the tabloid b*llocks about officers earning £50,000 a year in overtime. Overtime is extremely rare these days and set to get rarer.
2. Huge range of career options within the same service: CID, traffic, firearms, intelligence, surveillance, counter-terrorism, neighbourhood policing, mounted, child protection, source handling etc etc.
3. Variety of the work is unparalleled. It's a cliche but no two days are the same (that said they can all get a bit samey sometimes). The range of skills you have to acquire is enormous.
4. Camaraderie. Absolutely the best part of the job and helps the police consistently punch above their weight in terms of morale and teamwork. Black humour is a must.
Cons
1. Shifts and anti-social hours. There is no job like the cops for being a homewrecker. Enthusiasm gets you through the first few years but do not underestimate the impact of shift work on your family and social life. Expect to work 3 weekends out of 5 on average with 10 hour minimum shifts that start roughly at 0700, 1500 or 2100 (exact times will depend on your force).
2. Conditions. The police is undergoing a huge period of reform at the moment, most of it is unlikely to be for the better. The upshot is cuts in pay, far fewer officers to do the same job, more rest days cancelled with little notice. Cops have no bargaining power with either the management or the government, and expect to be regularly shafted and be told to work when you don't expect to.
3. Development. The police are terrible at developing people's skills and careers. The courses they put you on (e.g. driving, interviewing) are very good and to a high standard but if you want to specialise or move up in rank, expect to do it all yourself in your own time and all at your own cost e.g. if you want to do your Sergeant's exam, expect to fork out £500 yourself on training materials, or about £300 for the CID exam etc.
4. Paperwork. To be honest paperwork is not as bad as people make out and it isn't hard. Most of it comes from the fact that you have a huge amount of power over people and ultimately you have to be able to justify and be accountable for what you have done and why (or not, as the case may be). Remember the police motto "Rectum Defendae" ("Cover Your Arse")
5. Scumbags. Forget Road Wars, I guarantee that wherever you work 90% of your time will not be spent dealing with robbers or drug dealers, but with the endless petty disputes of the underclass. I am completely serious when I say that the Jeremy Kyle Show is the most realistic depiction of the problems the police are called to deal with, except that in real life the protagonists will also be drunk and one of them will have a weapon. Read "Wasting Police Time" by David Copperfield or "Perverting the Course of Justice" by Inspector Gadget for an idea of what your daily work will involve. Also don't worry about losing court cases etc. The CPS do a fairly decent job of weeding out the non-starters and the conviction rate is very high (about 95% at Mags and 80% at Crown Court).
6. Violence. Expect to be punched, kicked, and spat at fairly regularly by psyched-up drunks. Get used to the idea of using force against people who don't want you to and who will not fight fairly but above all learn how to talk to people properly, most cops can't.
7. Do not expect anyone outside the police to have the faintest understanding of what the job involves (it won't stop them offering you advice on how to do it though).
The police is crap. Policing... is brilliant. Sadly, you need to be in one to do the other.
If policing suits you, its the best job in the world. If it doesn't, its awful. Only you know whether the cons - as eloquently set out above - outweight the pros. If you don't want to bin a holiday or two, you may not thrive on shiftwork and the flexibility required.
An example - I have just done 7 nights, and was due to go into four rest days. At 2200 Friday, I found out I was now needed in court for three of my days off. So, work ten, one off, work seven. Due to a lack of Sgts and "operational exigencies", I finished at 0400 this morning and was back in at 0900 for court. Not great. On the flip side, three hours after finding out my days off were ruined, I led my shift to a burglary in progress which turned into a pursuit. Three people nicked, two bitten by a police dog, one happy Sgt Carnage. To me - getting to do that is worth getting my rest days buggered about.
If policing suits you, its the best job in the world. If it doesn't, its awful. Only you know whether the cons - as eloquently set out above - outweight the pros. If you don't want to bin a holiday or two, you may not thrive on shiftwork and the flexibility required.
An example - I have just done 7 nights, and was due to go into four rest days. At 2200 Friday, I found out I was now needed in court for three of my days off. So, work ten, one off, work seven. Due to a lack of Sgts and "operational exigencies", I finished at 0400 this morning and was back in at 0900 for court. Not great. On the flip side, three hours after finding out my days off were ruined, I led my shift to a burglary in progress which turned into a pursuit. Three people nicked, two bitten by a police dog, one happy Sgt Carnage. To me - getting to do that is worth getting my rest days buggered about.
Thanks for the amazing responses, it's helped loads, particularly Sparta VAG and Carnage - very useful and in-depth responses there.
I've been in contact with the constabulary over the last couple of days and even managed to grab 10 minutes with a Constable as she was patrolling down the street that one of our offices is on - it was a very useful chat, she gave me one of her cards and asked me to get in touch when I get in.
Regarding the benefits of my current job - it's a typical family run business so it's mostly profit-based management, therefore no pension, bog basic holiday entitlement (20 days a year), statutory sick pay. However I do have access to very good car cleaning facilities whenever I want - hardly a deal breaker though!
Regarding the shift work - I'm one of those people who will happily put the extra hours in if required, have worked a 10 hour shift today, but (like most people) I have to happy in my work in order to do it.
Thanks again for the advice, I'll certainly be giving it muchos thought over the next few days. Typically, the MD of my company went on holiday for a week on the day I received the letter, but I think my plan of action is going to be to talk to him about it. I'm hoping that if I approach it carefully and say the right things then I can gain some information from him regarding his plans for my future at the company so I'm able to make a slightly more informed decision about the future.
I'll keep you updated with developments, as it stands I'm very much still on the fence but luckily I have a few days in which to make my decision.
Cheers
Tom
I've been in contact with the constabulary over the last couple of days and even managed to grab 10 minutes with a Constable as she was patrolling down the street that one of our offices is on - it was a very useful chat, she gave me one of her cards and asked me to get in touch when I get in.
Regarding the benefits of my current job - it's a typical family run business so it's mostly profit-based management, therefore no pension, bog basic holiday entitlement (20 days a year), statutory sick pay. However I do have access to very good car cleaning facilities whenever I want - hardly a deal breaker though!
Regarding the shift work - I'm one of those people who will happily put the extra hours in if required, have worked a 10 hour shift today, but (like most people) I have to happy in my work in order to do it.
Thanks again for the advice, I'll certainly be giving it muchos thought over the next few days. Typically, the MD of my company went on holiday for a week on the day I received the letter, but I think my plan of action is going to be to talk to him about it. I'm hoping that if I approach it carefully and say the right things then I can gain some information from him regarding his plans for my future at the company so I'm able to make a slightly more informed decision about the future.
I'll keep you updated with developments, as it stands I'm very much still on the fence but luckily I have a few days in which to make my decision.
Cheers
Tom
Purple Tom said:
Thanks for the amazing responses, it's helped loads, particularly Sparta VAG and Carnage - very useful and in-depth responses there.
I've been in contact with the constabulary over the last couple of days and even managed to grab 10 minutes with a Constable as she was patrolling down the street that one of our offices is on - it was a very useful chat, she gave me one of her cards and asked me to get in touch when I get in.
Regarding the benefits of my current job - it's a typical family run business so it's mostly profit-based management, therefore no pension, bog basic holiday entitlement (20 days a year), statutory sick pay. However I do have access to very good car cleaning facilities whenever I want - hardly a deal breaker though!
Regarding the shift work - I'm one of those people who will happily put the extra hours in if required, have worked a 10 hour shift today, but (like most people) I have to happy in my work in order to do it.
Thanks again for the advice, I'll certainly be giving it muchos thought over the next few days. Typically, the MD of my company went on holiday for a week on the day I received the letter, but I think my plan of action is going to be to talk to him about it. I'm hoping that if I approach it carefully and say the right things then I can gain some information from him regarding his plans for my future at the company so I'm able to make a slightly more informed decision about the future.
I'll keep you updated with developments, as it stands I'm very much still on the fence but luckily I have a few days in which to make my decision.
Cheers
Tom
Minimum holiday entitlement is 28 days!I've been in contact with the constabulary over the last couple of days and even managed to grab 10 minutes with a Constable as she was patrolling down the street that one of our offices is on - it was a very useful chat, she gave me one of her cards and asked me to get in touch when I get in.
Regarding the benefits of my current job - it's a typical family run business so it's mostly profit-based management, therefore no pension, bog basic holiday entitlement (20 days a year), statutory sick pay. However I do have access to very good car cleaning facilities whenever I want - hardly a deal breaker though!
Regarding the shift work - I'm one of those people who will happily put the extra hours in if required, have worked a 10 hour shift today, but (like most people) I have to happy in my work in order to do it.
Thanks again for the advice, I'll certainly be giving it muchos thought over the next few days. Typically, the MD of my company went on holiday for a week on the day I received the letter, but I think my plan of action is going to be to talk to him about it. I'm hoping that if I approach it carefully and say the right things then I can gain some information from him regarding his plans for my future at the company so I'm able to make a slightly more informed decision about the future.
I'll keep you updated with developments, as it stands I'm very much still on the fence but luckily I have a few days in which to make my decision.
Cheers
Tom
A quick update for this thread.
I decided to go for it. It was an opportunity that I just couldn't turn down, so after plenty of soul searching I handed my notice in. Funnily enough, the company I used to work for showed its true colours by thoroughly shafting me before I left (long story) which has made me even more convinced that I've made the right decision.
So far I'm a week into a 20 week basic training course and absolutely loving it. There's only 16 of us on the course and we're all getting on really well. Our instructors are really good and I'm learning lots.
I'm not foolish enough to think that it's all fun and games in the Police because I'm well aware of the reality of things, but I think its fair to say that as it stands I feel at 'home' there already, far more comfortable than I have been in my first week in any other job.
Thanks again for the advice guys
Tom
I decided to go for it. It was an opportunity that I just couldn't turn down, so after plenty of soul searching I handed my notice in. Funnily enough, the company I used to work for showed its true colours by thoroughly shafting me before I left (long story) which has made me even more convinced that I've made the right decision.
So far I'm a week into a 20 week basic training course and absolutely loving it. There's only 16 of us on the course and we're all getting on really well. Our instructors are really good and I'm learning lots.
I'm not foolish enough to think that it's all fun and games in the Police because I'm well aware of the reality of things, but I think its fair to say that as it stands I feel at 'home' there already, far more comfortable than I have been in my first week in any other job.
Thanks again for the advice guys
Tom
Good luck.
This is a grim, grim time to be in the Police. In five years time, policing as we know it today will not exist.
All you can do us your best (and that will never be good enough for most people). But those you do help will say thanks and that's what counts.
After 20 years , Cameron's hatred of the police and the wholesale dismantling of the service is just soul destroying. I hope there's a long term future for you.
This is a grim, grim time to be in the Police. In five years time, policing as we know it today will not exist.
All you can do us your best (and that will never be good enough for most people). But those you do help will say thanks and that's what counts.
After 20 years , Cameron's hatred of the police and the wholesale dismantling of the service is just soul destroying. I hope there's a long term future for you.
Ray - yep.....I've never heard that one before ;-)
Elroy - I know, it's not exactly a great time for the Police, Mr Cameron and T May to name but a few enemies.
However, things will change, we will adapt and try to do the best job we can. That's how it always has been and always will be, not just the with the Police but with life in general (without trying to generalise too much!) I'm under no illusion that it's going to be completely sh*t at times, but I'm sure it will be incredibly rewarding at times too.
Elroy - I know, it's not exactly a great time for the Police, Mr Cameron and T May to name but a few enemies.
However, things will change, we will adapt and try to do the best job we can. That's how it always has been and always will be, not just the with the Police but with life in general (without trying to generalise too much!) I'm under no illusion that it's going to be completely sh*t at times, but I'm sure it will be incredibly rewarding at times too.
Elroy Blue said:
Good luck.
This is a grim, grim time to be in the Police. In five years time, policing as we know it today will not exist.
All you can do us your best (and that will never be good enough for most people). But those you do help will say thanks and that's what counts.
After 20 years , Cameron's hatred of the police and the wholesale dismantling of the service is just soul destroying. I hope there's a long term future for you.
Myself and EB must be cut from the same cloth as I really couldn't put it better myself. Very best of luck to you. This is a grim, grim time to be in the Police. In five years time, policing as we know it today will not exist.
All you can do us your best (and that will never be good enough for most people). But those you do help will say thanks and that's what counts.
After 20 years , Cameron's hatred of the police and the wholesale dismantling of the service is just soul destroying. I hope there's a long term future for you.
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