Discussion
Was formally offered the position of police constable with Sussex Police yesterday!
I passed the hearing test (just) again, though it's poor enough that I'll never be a firearms bod/air observer or diver.
I've got a nine month wait to start - 3rd April 2006. I'm on the first non-residential course, so no fun and games at Ashford (it'll have closed down). Still, living and working in Brighton will make my home life easier for the training period.
I missed out on the decent pension by 2 days! Whereas I would have had to work 25 years for 50% of final salary, I'll now have to work 35 years for the same. It isn't going to happen, as I'm 28, so will probably have to retire before that.
All because one of my employment referees was totally worthless in getting the form filled out. 
A couple of questions for BIB:
1) I'm now seriously considering the accelerated promotion scheme, in light of the pensions issue - anyone able to offer advice on it? (by email would be great)
2) Anyone involved with the new training system at all?
3) With nine months to play with, is there anything I can do to prepare?
Now all I need to do is keep myself occupied for the next 283 days.
>> Edited by julianhj on Thursday 23 June 07:32
I passed the hearing test (just) again, though it's poor enough that I'll never be a firearms bod/air observer or diver.
I've got a nine month wait to start - 3rd April 2006. I'm on the first non-residential course, so no fun and games at Ashford (it'll have closed down). Still, living and working in Brighton will make my home life easier for the training period.
I missed out on the decent pension by 2 days! Whereas I would have had to work 25 years for 50% of final salary, I'll now have to work 35 years for the same. It isn't going to happen, as I'm 28, so will probably have to retire before that.
All because one of my employment referees was totally worthless in getting the form filled out. A couple of questions for BIB:
1) I'm now seriously considering the accelerated promotion scheme, in light of the pensions issue - anyone able to offer advice on it? (by email would be great)
2) Anyone involved with the new training system at all?
3) With nine months to play with, is there anything I can do to prepare?
Now all I need to do is keep myself occupied for the next 283 days.
>> Edited by julianhj on Thursday 23 June 07:32
What was that about dryers? Does he take sugar?Very well done indeed. Sorry to hear you dipped the pension though. I don't know much about the new scheme. I believe the contributions are reduced a little from 11% of pay to something like 9%. The current scheme allows AVCs - additional voluntary contributions, you may be able to do the same with the new scheme so that you can retire with the full pension at 55. Don't panic - you should be given advice soon enough in-force.
As far as accelerated promotion goes, as I'm sure you know the scheme is called the High Potential Development Scheme. I'm not on it, but I know a fair bit about it. You don't have to be on it to be promoted fairly quickly (I'm an Inspector with under 8 years service) - but it does have a lot of advantages.
I'm also an assessor for the Ospre promotion exams, so I know a fair bit about what's involved in geting promoted! I won't waffle on here, if you'd like to know more, please e-mail me.
And Congrats again!
As far as accelerated promotion goes, as I'm sure you know the scheme is called the High Potential Development Scheme. I'm not on it, but I know a fair bit about it. You don't have to be on it to be promoted fairly quickly (I'm an Inspector with under 8 years service) - but it does have a lot of advantages.
I'm also an assessor for the Ospre promotion exams, so I know a fair bit about what's involved in geting promoted! I won't waffle on here, if you'd like to know more, please e-mail me.
And Congrats again!
julianhj said:
Was formally offered the position of police constable with Sussex Police yesterday!
I passed the hearing test (just) again, though it's poor enough that I'll never be a firearms bod/air observer or diver.
I've got a nine month wait to start - 3rd April 2006. I'm on the first non-residential course, so no fun and games at Ashford (it'll have closed down). Still, living and working in Brighton will make my home life easier for the training period.
I missed out on the decent pension by 2 days! Whereas I would have had to work 25 years for 50% of final salary, I'll now have to work 35 years for the same. It isn't going to happen, as I'm 28, so will probably have to retire before that.
A couple of questions for BIB:
1) I'm now seriously considering the accelerated promotion scheme, in light of the pensions issue - anyone able to offer advice on it? (by email would be great)
2) Anyone involved with the new training system at all?
3) With nine months to play with, is there anything I can do to prepare?
Now all I need to do is keep myself occupied for the next 283 days.
>> Edited by julianhj on Thursday 23 June 07:32
Heres a quick question - I've always wanted to go in the Force, but thought I could'nt cause of my hearing (hard of hearing both ears - wear one hearing aid).
Can anyone tell me what the limits are - I'd love to change career! Get out of IT!
neil_cardiff said:
Heres a quick question - I've always wanted to go in the Force, but thought I could'nt cause of my hearing (hard of hearing both ears - wear one hearing aid).
Can anyone tell me what the limits are - I'd love to change career! Get out of IT!
I can't give you a proper answer, only what I've deduced by looking over the nurse's shoulder as the results were analysed. The test I took started with tones at their loudest, and I had to release a button when the volume decreased to the point I couldn't hear them anymore. A bar graph printout for each ear showed how many decibels loss I had in each of 6-8 (I can't recall exactly) frequency ranges. The highest three losses for each ear, in decibels were added. The maximum loss permitted for each ear was 127db. My left ear came in at 117 - the three figures were taken from the highest 3 frequency ranges. They could tell I'd done a lot of clubbing in my youth by looking at the readings on my right ear! The doc said all the flying/shooting/DJ-ing/clubbing had done me no favours
If you're even half-serious about joining, call your local recruitment office and ask for the criteria, then pop in to your GP to see if you can meet it. Depending on where you live there might be a long slog to get in (mine will be 26 months by the time I start).
>> Edited by JulianHJ on Thursday 23 June 18:18
Congratulations. 
Due to my limited company starting to take off and my continuing disbelief in the legal system and the way certain areas are enforced, I have cancelled my application and will no longer be applying to the forces myself.
I wish you the best of luck and hope you can make a difference (a real difference - not laser-vanning people
)
Gh0st
Due to my limited company starting to take off and my continuing disbelief in the legal system and the way certain areas are enforced, I have cancelled my application and will no longer be applying to the forces myself.
I wish you the best of luck and hope you can make a difference (a real difference - not laser-vanning people
) Gh0st
Pies said:
congrats 
You sure Ashford is closing down,as there was a piece on the news the other day showing new recruits patroling Stanhope.Apparently its a traing spot for newbies
100%. I'm on the first non-residential course for Sussex, according to the recruits grapevine. Recruitment confirmed Ashford was no longer in use from that point - but then I was told this would be happening 15 months ago when I was on a ridealong. People in for medicals last week were getting Feb start dates at Ashford, the lucky buggers.
Still, it means I can get a place with my fiancee 6 months earlier than planned, and my initial daily commute will hopefully be a 15 minute bus ride to Sussex or Brighton Uni.
Shame about that pension though
It's a right hoot. 
paolow said:
nice one julian,
I'll order the Blackstones book now - where si the best place, pricewise? (I presume you had a look round first?) Where are you due to be posted? I'm still waiting for all the written stuff to come through, but will be piling in to as much as possible over the next nine months.
julianhj said:
nice one julian,
I'll order the Blackstones book now - where si the best place, pricewise? (I presume you had a look round first?) Where are you due to be posted? I'm still waiting for all the written stuff to come through, but will be piling in to as much as possible over the next nine months.
hey julian,
i got mine from amazon from one of their affiliate sellers - i cant remember who it was - but it was the cheapest guy on there - i think it was about 6 quid plus postage. i asked for brighton and hove as first choice and from what i inferred, im 99% certain to end up there. amongst other things theyll send you a white A5 size booklet which seems lightweight but theres a lot of info in it to go through - some of which needs to be memorized so it can be quoted verbatim. theyll also ask you to sort out a hep b innoculation programme and its worth doing this sooner rather than later as the complete course takes about 6 months to run through. course, youll also have to write a 1000 word autobiography as homework to hand in when you start. have i dont mine yet? have i bollox
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