Joining the Police

[ally3601]

Hi guys, anyone on here in (or been in) the Police?

I graduated from Uni last year, got a Mon-Fri 9-5 job for an IT company that I thought the whole way through Uni would be perfect for me. Recently I've been feeling like this type of job/industry really doesn't suit me.

Been considering applying for a while now and just curious to see if anyone is in just now and what to expect? And what life is like in the Police. Not bothered by working shifts, unsociable hours etc. Would be on more money than I'm on now aswell.

Any thoughts/comments would be great!

[LosingGrip]

ally3601 said:

Hi guys, anyone on here in (or been in) the Police?

I graduated from Uni last year, got a Mon-Fri 9-5 job for an IT company that I thought the whole way through Uni would be perfect for me. Recently I've been feeling like this type of job/industry really doesn't suit me.

Been considering applying for a while now and just curious to see if anyone is in just now and what to expect? And what life is like in the Police. Not bothered by working shifts, unsociable hours etc. Would be on more money than I'm on now aswell.

Any thoughts/comments would be great!

I'm in my probation and love it. Some days are st but some days are great.

My relationship with my other half has suffered at the start. Your family and friends will need to be supportive.

I'm late off more often than not. Sometimes half an hour, sometimes hours (six and a half hours is my record!).

Wouldn't change it for the world however. You'll make great friends with your squad.

Your eyes will be opened well and truly to what goes on in other peoples life. You'll see people at their worst but also help people at their worst.

You'll get some people saying 'the jobs fked'. Take what they say with a pinch of salt. Ive found it tends to be the older ones who count down the days until retirement. They can't hate it that much as they still do it.

The recruitment process is ste. The assessment centre is bks. Have a look at bluelightinfo.com which is very useful.

[williamp]

Good for you. I wish you wel. A very worthy, if dificult career.

I hope the police stop getting politicised. And you get some cool traffic cars!!

[jamesson]

LosingGrip said:

They can't hate it that much as they still do it.

Pension trap, pure and simple.

Hello OP. I've been in the police for eighteen years so can offer a slightly different perspective to LosingGrip (glad to hear you're enjoying it!).

I did twelve years of frontline and then moved into investigations. I loved frontline. It's a real buzz driving everywhere on blue lights and sirens, turning up to God knows what, trying to figure out what's really gone on (hint - people lie through their teeth) and then possibly nicking someone. There's really nothing like it. I loved helping victims of crime (proper ones that is, not tit for tat jobs where they're both as bad as each other) and getting a good result at court (which is rare as sentences are far too soft for my liking).

Frontline has a shelf life though. Shift work - particularly night shifts - is knackering, your sleep starts to suffer eventually and your patience wears thin. It can play havoc with your home life. A lot of coppers end up getting divorced. Thankfully my wife is as understanding as anyone who's not a police officer can be, but even she has her moments.

This is why cops often end up dating other cops because nobody quite gets it unless they're in it themselves. I always avoided that though because it's no fun when your ex ends up as your sergeant or inspector one day (it's happened to friends of mine) and also, they end up just talking about work all the time. Personally I like to keep my work and homes lives separate.

You will see some horrible things. Dead bodies, sometimes babies or small children. You will turn up to fatal car crashes to find mangled bodies or really bad crashes where people are screaming in pain and there's not much you can do for them. You will have to deliver death messages and that can be difficult. You will go to burglaries where an old lady's house has been ransacked for £20 and deal with a heartbroken old dear who pleads with you not to go because she doesn't have anyone in her life.

You will deal with the worst domestic abuse you can imagine. You will be assaulted, potentially seriously. You will take dog's abuse for absolutely nothing. You will have your holidays and rest days cancelled at short notice for events the force knew about months in advance. You will be on your own a lot, particularly if you patrol a rural area where backup is twenty minutes away at least, assuming someone is available at all. You will get to know the staff at your local petrol stations as you'll buy your food on the go and have about four minutes to eat it before the next emergency.

You will be criticised for the smallest mistake you made in the heat of the moment whilst the morning jury has hours to pore over everything you did. You will be filmed by members of the public (instead of helping you) just waiting for you to do something wrong. It is often a thankless task and the command team is usually detached and uncaring. Don't be fooled into thinking The Job cares about you. You are a number and it will chew you up and spit you out if you let it.

But if you can put up with the downsides, it can be a fascinating career. There are so many things you can do. Detective work dealing with serious crimes can be heavy going but very satisfying and at least you're not a slave to the radio. Specialist search, public order, traffic, child protection, Special Branch, hi tech crime, murder squad is all potentially open to you depending on what you enjoy.

I would advise you to apply. It's not for everyone but try it and see how you get on. What's the worst that can happen (other than death or serious injury)? If you don't like it, you can leave and do something else. But if you do like it and you can put up with the downsides, you'll have a career like no other, a job from which you cannot be made redundant (unless you're BTP or one of the other non Home Office forces), a good pension and 100% of your wages in the event of another furlough scheme being applied in the future.

Whatever you decide, good luck and if you have any further questions, please feel free to PM me or ask here.

[JulianHJ]

I can echo Jamesson’s comments. Your life can revolve around The Job, it can (probably will) change you and your outlook, it can be very challenging. Relationship and mental health issues are higher than an average working environment. It can also be exhilarating. I was in your position once, dreading a dull 30-40 year office career, and after 15 years I’m still very glad I joined. I’ve seen and done some amazing things, and I still look forward to going in each day. I’ve found a specialist role that I’d happily stay in until I retire, and I wouldn’t consider changing it for a private sector role. There’s a lot of recruiting going on at the moment, so you have little to lose if you want to give it a go. There’s a decent number of serving and former officers on the Speeding, Plod & Law sub forum if you want to get further advice or opinions, and a number of other forums dedicated to the recruitment process.

[nordboy]

I have 20 yrs in, I know every generation of cop says it, but it’s no longer the job I joined. It doesn’t seem to be a vocation anymore. Whilst the wages aren’t bad, you’ll earn every single penny.

As has been said, I’ve dealt with real scum on a regular basis, seen well over 100 dead bodies in various states, including decomposition, limbs torn off, hangings and have people die in front of me when I could do nothing to help them!!

I’ve been face to face with people who have wanted to do me serious harm, with or without weapons including knives and guns.

I’ve been seriously assaulted and carry both the physical and mental scars of that to this day.

But I’ve also seen good in people, especially my colleagues in the emergency services all coming together to do their bit to save peoples lives etc.

I’ve seen and done things that 99% of people would never have the chance to. Would I do it again if I had the chance, probably given the same circumstances, it was all I ever wanted to do from the time I was a kid. But I wouldn’t join now, too much politics, no back up from the government/ justice system and arse covering now means that we no longer give the service we should be.

I’m lucky in that I’m not in a frontline role anymore, l’m in a training role. I see cops with less than 2 yrs service totally disillusioned with the job, but also cops with 20+ yrs who still love it. Me, just frustrated with how I see it needs to be, compared with how it actually is.

It will absolutely change you as a person.

[Evoluzione]

I must apologise for the thread diversion, but it seems a good place to ask. I did see it asked elsewhere, but it got no response.
Do the Police pay people who grass or inform on crims? I remember on old cop programs they used to do it off the record, but not sure if it's done officially or at all these days?

[dsgrnmcm]

OP,

As a genuine lazy Matelot (Navy) I take my hat off to you joining the Police at this time. I don't think I have ever seen them have such a rough time of it, or appear to be unsupported by the government. (my professional arm chair opinion)

Anyway, I have an Oppo who joined the Police later in life, after being working as a Custody Officer (I think that is the right term) she has just passed her SGT exam, and I'm sure she would be happy to offer you some advice if you want.

Well done you, and I wish you the best of luck!

[Carnage]

Evoluzione said:

I must apologise for the thread diversion, but it seems a good place to ask. I did see it asked elsewhere, but it got no response.
Do the Police pay people who grass or inform on crims? I remember on old cop programs they used to do it off the record, but not sure if it's done officially or at all these days?

Yes, and surprisingly well. It’s very heavily regulated - a source has to be authorised as a CHIS (covert human intelligence source) under RIPA (Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act).

The money is very tightly controlled and only officers authorised as source handlers can provide it.

This is different to someone simply providing you with information in the ordinary course of your duties, which you would simply put in as an intelligence report.

For the OP, it’s a good job; it’s very demanding; if it suits you it’s the best job in the world and if it doesn’t it can feel like the worst.

You will work with some horrendously lazy people but also people who inspire you daily.

I did 16 years in three ranks, mainly on squads, and loved it. Don’t miss it at all and have been out for two years now - make of that what you will.

[deadmau5]

I joined Suffolk Constabulary in July last year. I think your experience will differ depending on the constabulary that you join. I've probably only been off late about 25 times in that time and only only been off later than the 30 mins you do for 'the queen' about 10 times (you can only claim overtime after you've done those 30 mins).

I absolutely love the job. You never know what you'll be doing before a shift starts so you always need to be on your toes. My shift consists of two earlies, two lates and two nights followed by four days off. I have so much spare time that I really don't feel like I need to take annual leave, so I have over 200 hours still to use by the end of March.

Depending on how busy your area is depends on how proactive you can be. My area is a bit mixed so some shifts I might be job to job whereas others I might not go to a single job. I'll either do traffic or read the county lines intel on the system and go and see what I can find. I love giving out TORs (traffic offence reports) for things like no MOT and seizing cars for no insurance. If you stop search someone and end up nicking them for possession with intent to supply followed by a Section 18 search of their house and find a load more drugs, cash, scales, 'deal bags' etc, for me there is nothing more satisfying in the job. I'm planning to join the plain clothes drugs team once I've finished my probation.

[ally3601]

Thanks everyone for the replies so far! Really appreciate everyone’s comments

When I get the chance, I’ll maybe give a couple of you a message to pick your brains if you don’t mind!

I’ll be 25 next year and my thinking is I’ve already got a degree, so if I join and hate it I can use the skills I’ve learned and that to find something else. But as I mentioned the thought of sitting at a desk for the next 40 years + isn’t appealing to me.

(I’d also be applying in Scotland if that makes any difference)

[nordboy]

Unless you're all settled down, don't discount applying for some of the Northern English forces? Or do as a lot of people do, join the MET as they pretty much always have their recruitment open, then after a few years, try and transfer to one of the rural forces.

[LosingGrip]

ally3601 said:

Thanks everyone for the replies so far! Really appreciate everyone’s comments

When I get the chance, I’ll maybe give a couple of you a message to pick your brains if you don’t mind!

I’ll be 25 next year and my thinking is I’ve already got a degree, so if I join and hate it I can use the skills I’ve learned and that to find something else. But as I mentioned the thought of sitting at a desk for the next 40 years + isn’t appealing to me.

(I’d also be applying in Scotland if that makes any difference)

Always happy to answer any emails!

Have you looked at the Specials? Good insight into the job (it's not the same by any means). Get a feel if you like it or not.

[Terzo123]

Contact recruitment at Jackton and speak to the team up there.

Also pop along to your local office and ask to speak with a probationer.

Its been a very long time since I went through the process, but happy to help.

[williamp]

nordboy said:

Unless you're all settled down, don't discount applying for some of the Northern English forces? Or do as a lot of people do, join the MET as they pretty much always have their recruitment open, then after a few years, try and transfer to one of the rural forces.

As someone who isnt in the police, is there a differnce between the local forces? Is it a bit like the army, with different regiments doing different things, or is it something else? As a well spoken southerner I cannot imagine having much success in some northern forces!

[nordboy]

williamp said:

As someone who isnt in the police, is there a differnce between the local forces? Is it a bit like the army, with different regiments doing different things, or is it something else? As a well spoken southerner I cannot imagine having much success in some northern forces!

There's differences in all the forces, each one has their own priorities, policies and ways of doing things. The law remains the same (except Scotland) but loads of other differences.

The larger forces such as the MET etc, actively recruit most of the year round to fill their vacancies. Smaller forces maybe once or twice a year?

[Octoposse]

williamp said:

As a well spoken southerner I cannot imagine having much success in some northern forces!

Forces, even small ones, are very diverse (seriously), so I wouldn't let that put you off. If you have a bit of personality and ability to get on with people (which you'd think are basic requirements, but hey-ho . . . ) then being a bit different is a plus not a minus.

And if you don't have ties, why not police in some lovely part of the country with affordable housing?

(Not that it'll be like "Heartbeat" . . . same problems everywhere: missing children, criminal exploitation of children, sexual exploitation of children, vulnerable people, domestic abuse, low level acquisitive crime by substance abusers, alcohol fuelled violent crime, drug supply networks from the major cities . . . and urgent demands for action when a crisp packet blows down the street of better-off areas . . . ).

[320d is all you need]

OP

I'm in a similar-ish position.

I'm fortunate enough to have a reasonably good job just inside the 40% bracket.
But unfortunately a few poor choices in my youth, means I do have some manageable debt.

I think the entrance level salary (I believe around £28k?) would simply be unmanageable. I'd love to get into either Traffic or serious crime/detective work but, alas, for at least the next 3 or 4 years I am tied to salary

[WarnieV6GT]

320d is all you need said:

OP

I'm in a similar-ish position.

I'm fortunate enough to have a reasonably good job just inside the 40% bracket.
But unfortunately a few poor choices in my youth, means I do have some manageable debt.

I think the entrance level salary (I believe around £28k?) would simply be unmanageable. I'd love to get into either Traffic or serious crime/detective work but, alas, for at least the next 3 or 4 years I am tied to salary

I thought it was £23ish k..

I would go for it but not for that money.

[LosingGrip]

It depends on how you join. Friends in the degree intake after me started on £18,000 for the first nine months! First six months is in the classroom and the next three is on the tutor unit but still shockingly st. Take home is £900ish after pension as well! Thankfully I was the last diploma intake!

It then goes to £24,177. Some forces start their degree lot on £24,177. Im not sure how it works if you already have a degree etc.

I'm on pay point three I think. £25,900 a year. I do around 80 hours a month unsocial hours which works out at another £100 a month give or take. Being late off is another £150 a month normally.

I tend to do two overtime shifts a month as well which is another £300.

It's st for the first few years, but after six/seven year's you're on £41,000. It certainly isn't a job you do for the money though.

You'll need to finish your probation before being able to move to other departments. Two or three years depending on if you have a degree or not.