What do I do next? Policing edition.
Discussion
AD462 said:
Throwaway account for obvious reasons. Any advice from the PH crew on what potential careers/ jobs there are after policing?
Background is police officer, with last 5 years in firearms. Recently found out that current supervisory role isn’t going to be renewed as of June, and I will be returned to previous role, with the subsequent pay drop and loss of much of my responsibilities. I don’t agree with the above, and it has left me feeling very fed up with the job.
Rather than get bent out of shape about something I can’t do anything to change, trying to treat this as an opportunity and a chance for a change of scene. Any suggestions where to go from here?
How old are you? What’s your length of service? What’s your substantive rank? Background is police officer, with last 5 years in firearms. Recently found out that current supervisory role isn’t going to be renewed as of June, and I will be returned to previous role, with the subsequent pay drop and loss of much of my responsibilities. I don’t agree with the above, and it has left me feeling very fed up with the job.
Rather than get bent out of shape about something I can’t do anything to change, trying to treat this as an opportunity and a chance for a change of scene. Any suggestions where to go from here?
Would you want another role within the police? Or want out completely?
I know lots going to the railway, either as a driver or management. Decent money and decent hours etc.
There are literally tons of jobs out there if you want one of them. You have to do the leg work though as they dont fall into your lap. If your done with the old bill ( Have you reached the 30yr milestone ?) get registered on civil service jobs website for starters and go from there. Recruitment companies like REED have a big piece of the contract market.
Next job is to get a good CV ready to send to places.
Next job is to get a good CV ready to send to places.
Thanks for the replies so far, and some good points.
Just to add. 7 years in, and (just) under 40. Physically fairly fit, and enjoyment for the role primarily comes from the operational and training side of things, much happier running around than sitting in an office.
That said, have also enjoyed leading a team far more than I thought I would. Education is degree level, BA in a well-regarded subject.
Potentially would stay in the police but this is basically an opportunity to find out whether there is greener grass (and higher pay) elsewhere...
Just to add. 7 years in, and (just) under 40. Physically fairly fit, and enjoyment for the role primarily comes from the operational and training side of things, much happier running around than sitting in an office.
That said, have also enjoyed leading a team far more than I thought I would. Education is degree level, BA in a well-regarded subject.
Potentially would stay in the police but this is basically an opportunity to find out whether there is greener grass (and higher pay) elsewhere...
This sounds like a bit of a snap decision, so let things settle first.
I’ve been in the exact same position as you, a while back. Was Temporary DS on a team for ages, then flunked the promotion board. Really lost my enthusiasm, which continued on a downward trend.
Ended up taking a career break to take stock, and realised that I neither liked investigations any more, nor leading people.
3 years on, and I’ve never been happier. Joined Operations a year ago, and am now a fully fledged RPU PC. Supervision no longer makes sense for me. But it sounds like it does for you... let the dust settle and there will be plenty of opportunities around.
Were you supervising on firearms or elsewhere?
I’ve been in the exact same position as you, a while back. Was Temporary DS on a team for ages, then flunked the promotion board. Really lost my enthusiasm, which continued on a downward trend.
Ended up taking a career break to take stock, and realised that I neither liked investigations any more, nor leading people.
3 years on, and I’ve never been happier. Joined Operations a year ago, and am now a fully fledged RPU PC. Supervision no longer makes sense for me. But it sounds like it does for you... let the dust settle and there will be plenty of opportunities around.
Were you supervising on firearms or elsewhere?
carreauchompeur said:
... I live in a rural area, so finding something which would pay £40k plus overtime is extremely difficult. Maybe once I fall out of love for the job or f
k up id consider it.
Dependent upon role and industry of course, previously held rural/urban norms for roles may not be so applicable based upon how the workplace has had to adjust over the past 12 months.k up id consider it.AD462 said:
Throwaway account for obvious reasons. Any advice from the PH crew on what potential careers/ jobs there are after policing?
Background is police officer, with last 5 years in firearms. Recently found out that current supervisory role isn’t going to be renewed as of June, and I will be returned to previous role, with the subsequent pay drop and loss of much of my responsibilities. I don’t agree with the above, and it has left me feeling very fed up with the job.
Rather than get bent out of shape about something I can’t do anything to change, trying to treat this as an opportunity and a chance for a change of scene. Any suggestions where to go from here?
As intimated in one of the previous responses, try not to react too quickly and potentially regret any decision.Background is police officer, with last 5 years in firearms. Recently found out that current supervisory role isn’t going to be renewed as of June, and I will be returned to previous role, with the subsequent pay drop and loss of much of my responsibilities. I don’t agree with the above, and it has left me feeling very fed up with the job.
Rather than get bent out of shape about something I can’t do anything to change, trying to treat this as an opportunity and a chance for a change of scene. Any suggestions where to go from here?
Take time to reflect on what you do and don’t enjoy about your current profession and research alternative (and realistic) options before coming to any conclusion.
You of course, as mentioned by others, have a heap of transferable skills, but you need to try and identify what it is you’d love to do next.
Write down your top 3 dream jobs, identify which you’re closest to being able to do. If there are any competence or qualification gaps, what would it take to close those gaps and could you do it. Then see where that takes you.
AD462 said:
Thanks for the replies so far, and some good points.
Just to add. 7 years in, and (just) under 40. Physically fairly fit, and enjoyment for the role primarily comes from the operational and training side of things, much happier running around than sitting in an office.
That said, have also enjoyed leading a team far more than I thought I would. Education is degree level, BA in a well-regarded subject.
Potentially would stay in the police but this is basically an opportunity to find out whether there is greener grass (and higher pay) elsewhere...
I can’t really help from jobs outside the police. Just to add. 7 years in, and (just) under 40. Physically fairly fit, and enjoyment for the role primarily comes from the operational and training side of things, much happier running around than sitting in an office.
That said, have also enjoyed leading a team far more than I thought I would. Education is degree level, BA in a well-regarded subject.
Potentially would stay in the police but this is basically an opportunity to find out whether there is greener grass (and higher pay) elsewhere...
But how about becoming a tutor for new officers? Apparently it’s good for evidence for pronation. Or could you use your firearms side of things to do something in that training world? (I know nothing about how that side works).
Presumably you have worked in an industry/ sector before joining the police? Joining at 33'ish.
Return to that?
I have just over 20 years in, and after spending 17 yrs frontline on sector and rpu (13.5yrs) I have moved into training. Never thought I'd do that, even though I have got a brief job history in that field.
It is driver/ rider training, so very much out on the road most of the time.
I know where you're coming from though. Generally speaking, I've had enough of the policing environment and after being shafted on my pension, I'm probably looking to go at 25 yrs, rather than do my whole 30. That could change though, plenty of time yet. But at this stage, I'm going and don't want to work for the police anymore. But then, I'm further in and a bit more tied to the pension etc than you. You're in an ideal situation to decide to get out.
Return to that?
I have just over 20 years in, and after spending 17 yrs frontline on sector and rpu (13.5yrs) I have moved into training. Never thought I'd do that, even though I have got a brief job history in that field.
It is driver/ rider training, so very much out on the road most of the time.
I know where you're coming from though. Generally speaking, I've had enough of the policing environment and after being shafted on my pension, I'm probably looking to go at 25 yrs, rather than do my whole 30. That could change though, plenty of time yet. But at this stage, I'm going and don't want to work for the police anymore. But then, I'm further in and a bit more tied to the pension etc than you. You're in an ideal situation to decide to get out.
AD462 said:
Thanks for the replies so far, and some good points.
Just to add. 7 years in, and (just) under 40. Physically fairly fit, and enjoyment for the role primarily comes from the operational and training side of things, much happier running around than sitting in an office.
That said, have also enjoyed leading a team far more than I thought I would. Education is degree level, BA in a well-regarded subject.
Potentially would stay in the police but this is basically an opportunity to find out whether there is greener grass (and higher pay) elsewhere...
Nuclear industry security.Just to add. 7 years in, and (just) under 40. Physically fairly fit, and enjoyment for the role primarily comes from the operational and training side of things, much happier running around than sitting in an office.
That said, have also enjoyed leading a team far more than I thought I would. Education is degree level, BA in a well-regarded subject.
Potentially would stay in the police but this is basically an opportunity to find out whether there is greener grass (and higher pay) elsewhere...
BA qualified and police training / experience, especially PFO would give you an edge and understanding of the CNC roll.
Might be worth looking at ? EDF, BNFL or Nuclear decomissioning authority
Avoid the CNC though, our security team get paid more and the CNC officers spend every day patrolling or in the gym, looks really boring.
The company I work for (aviation so not recruiting at present) has a few ex coppers working in human performance roles. In particular we have two ladies working with us who are bloody brilliant at conveying the fairly dry, and potentially namby pamby in the wrongs hands personal improvement/conflict resolution stuff. Also, if my upbringing (dad did 30 years) was anything to go by the hot debrief/dark humour/foul mouthed rants/lesson learning methods used in the police are quite a valuable skillset for safety critical and high pressure environments.
My dad ended up doing consultancy work in the Middle East, trying and largely failing to turn ME police services into quality organisations worthy of their generous budgets. Unfortunately you can’t fix things if people refuse to accept that they’re broken, but you can make decent money from it.
My dad ended up doing consultancy work in the Middle East, trying and largely failing to turn ME police services into quality organisations worthy of their generous budgets. Unfortunately you can’t fix things if people refuse to accept that they’re broken, but you can make decent money from it.
Some really good advice and interesting suggestions, especially about taking the time to make a considered decision rather than jumping in just because I’ve been wound up! Plenty of research to do I think.
Training is a route I hadn’t thought of, and one I think would potentially enjoy a lot.
Nuclear Industry or aviation security and consulting for overseas police forces two other appealing suggestions.
Thanks all, and any other suggestions to look into are very much appreciated.
Training is a route I hadn’t thought of, and one I think would potentially enjoy a lot.
Nuclear Industry or aviation security and consulting for overseas police forces two other appealing suggestions.
Thanks all, and any other suggestions to look into are very much appreciated.
Maybe a left field or even a stupid suggestion, but what about working as a Cop abroad? NZ / Canada / Aus, or even one of the Caribbean islands?
Or buy a Ferrari 328, a selection of Hawaiian shirts and become a PI?
What did you do before becoming a Cop?
Edited to add;
Have you thought about the Probation Service or UK Border Force? Perhaps even MI5?
Or buy a Ferrari 328, a selection of Hawaiian shirts and become a PI?
What did you do before becoming a Cop?
Edited to add;
Have you thought about the Probation Service or UK Border Force? Perhaps even MI5?
AD462 said:
Thanks for the replies so far, and some good points.
Just to add. 7 years in, and (just) under 40. Physically fairly fit, and enjoyment for the role primarily comes from the operational and training side of things, much happier running around than sitting in an office.
That said, have also enjoyed leading a team far more than I thought I would. Education is degree level, BA in a well-regarded subject.
Potentially would stay in the police but this is basically an opportunity to find out whether there is greener grass (and higher pay) elsewhere...
Only 7 years !!! Still wet behind the ears then Just to add. 7 years in, and (just) under 40. Physically fairly fit, and enjoyment for the role primarily comes from the operational and training side of things, much happier running around than sitting in an office.
That said, have also enjoyed leading a team far more than I thought I would. Education is degree level, BA in a well-regarded subject.
Potentially would stay in the police but this is basically an opportunity to find out whether there is greener grass (and higher pay) elsewhere...
I presume you went the ARV route straight out of probation or maybe into surveillance. The one big thing about promotion is that the more you progress the further away from the street you get and if it is this side of the business you enjoy, why do it ? Dont let peer group pressure affect you. There must be lots of scope within your OCU that will interest you. Ultimately , you need to ask yourself whether you have had enough of policing and want to chuck in your pension ( maybe not a good idea in the current climate ) or just plod along with one eye on something else whilst networking in your current role.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff