Anyone with experience of a scene of crime officer?

freakyogre

For as long as I can remember I have been extremely interested and fascinated by what's involved in being a scene of crime officer (SOCO). I wish I had looked into it more after school, but i've never been the most confident person so kind of brushed it aside.

I went to my local college about 3 years ago, but was pretty much fobbed off by a woman there who said there wasn't much call for it and 'it isn't like on TV you know'.

In March I was made redundant from a job I was in for over 4 years (really enjoyed it, but not what I want to do longterm). I have since started another job and have been there about 5 weeks (it's ok, but nothing thrilling) and it's made me realise that I really do want to do something about it before it's possibly too late (i'm 24, so might be too late already!)

I don't know a lot about getting more information on it, so was going to write to the police in my area and see if they can advise how I go about it. I am prepared to train, study etc. but wasn't sure if it was a case of joining the police and working your way up or studying for exams.

Does anyone have any experience in this and if so, could you give me some information on how I can find out more? I have looked online, but there's a lot of conflicting information.

Before anyone says it, I know it's not like on TV. This isn't something I have just thought about in the last few years when it's been big on TV, i've been interested for many years and realise it isn't a glamorous job.

Thank you in advance.

dmg24

Google is your friend ...

http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4U/index.cfm?pid=62&catalogueContentID=635

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

http://www.lgcareers.com/career-descriptions/protecting-your-community/scenes-of-crime-officer/

That said I do think your previous advice was spot on. There are very few of these jobs and they are sought after and Id imagine candidates will be of a far higher calibre than you (i.e related degrees etc)

You need to be realistic I would suggest

~Beanie~

I haven't got any experience although I would love to do that job. I have probably left it too late now though as I am 40 and past it!!

I know our local Police Force advertises the vacancies for SOCO on their recruitment website, there were some on last week although they have disappeared now so I can't check what qualifications or experience they were looking for.

It may be worth checking the website for your local force to see if they have any vacancies, it would give you an idea of what you need to achieve in order to become one.

freakyogre

dmg24 wrote: »

Google is your friend ...

http://www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4U/index.cfm?pid=62&catalogueContentID=635

Thanks. I have seen that site before and like I said, I will contact my local police force. I was however, hoping for some personal experience from someone in the field rather than websites giving generic answers.

I will give it another read.

freakyogre

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

http://www.lgcareers.com/career-descriptions/protecting-your-community/scenes-of-crime-officer/

That said I do think your previous advice was spot on. There are very few of these jobs and they are sought after and Id imagine candidates will be of a far higher calibre than you (i.e related degrees etc)

You need to be realistic I would suggest

Thank you for another one of your fantastic replies. Maybe I should look up to you and dream of being a troll on a website, that would be a great career move.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

freakyogre wrote: »

Thank you for another one of your fantastic replies. Maybe I should look up to you and dream of being a troll on a website, that would be a great career move.

No problem, I am sure some police force out there will be estatic to spend their limited resources on a candidate with no relevant qualifications, experience or training above someone who will have spent significant time in the role or getting relevant qualifications and training.

freakyogre

~Beanie~ wrote: »

I haven't got any experience although I would love to do that job. I have probably left it too late now though as I am 40 and past it!!

I know our local Police Force advertises the vacancies for SOCO on their recruitment website, there were some on last week although they have disappeared now so I can't check what qualifications or experience they were looking for.

It may be worth checking the website for your local force to see if they have any vacancies, it would give you an idea of what you need to achieve in order to become one.

Thanks for your reply It's something i've been interested in for as long as I can remember, just worried i've left it too late myself now. Either way i'd rather find out more on it as will only kick myself in the future if I don't.

I didn't even think they would advertise the job to be honest, I always thought it was something that you'd have to work (bloody hard!) towards and would have to be in the police already. I have been looking on my local police force site, but there isn't a great deal of information. I will look further afield as realise the larger forces would probably have more information.

Thanks again.

freakyogre

LinasPilibaitisisbatman wrote: »

No problem, I am sure some police force out there will be estatic to spend their limited resources on a candidate with no relevant qualifications, experience or training above someone who will have spent significant time in the role or getting relevant qualifications and training.

I wonder, would your response be the same had I posted asking for advice on wanting to become say, a nurse?

Everybody has to start somewhere. I don't recall posting saying I wanted to fall into a job with no work/effort, you have just assumed that.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

A Nurse is entirely different as there are plenty of nursing jobs about and you dont apply direct to the role without going through training which incorporates placements for experience.

Also far easier to get accepted onto a course

Oldernotwiser

As an adult you would normally be looking towards doing a Science Access course, leading to a relevant degree. Some police forces may accept entrants with Science A levels but entry is very competitive.