28M - Ex-police (resigned) and bankrupt - career advice?

ohreally

Health and safety consultancy, however you would need a Nebosh dip and perhaps specialism in a certain field.

https://www.nebosh.org.uk/qualifications/diploma/default.asp?cref=69&

Or Nacro https://nae.evolution-system.com/

youngbuck2

ohreally wrote: »

Health and safety consultancy, however you would need a Nebosh dip and perhaps specialism in a certain field.

https://www.nebosh.org.uk/qualifications/diploma/default.asp?cref=69&

Or Nacro https://nae.evolution-system.com/

I think you're on to something with the H&S role. Just had a browse through a few vacancies to see what's required....a lot of entry level jobs only require a NEBOSH national certificate. If I could get in that way, gain experience in an entry level role for a couple of years I could then complete the NEBOSH diploma and potentially land a H&S Manager/Consultant role.

I like it.

Ebe_Scrooge

What about private security / bodyguard work ? A friend of mine went into this when he retired from the police, he loves it and gets paid well. Police or armed forces experience is an excellent background for this.

Undervalued

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

What about private security / bodyguard work ? A friend of mine went into this when he retired from the police, he loves it and gets paid well. Police or armed forces experience is an excellent background for this.

I know this won't be what the OP wants to hear but I would sincerely hope no reputable organisation in that field would employ an ex policeman who resigned whilst facing gross misconduct allegations.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the alleged misconduct are, once someone resigns in such circumstances they are declaring themselves "guilty" to any potential employer. The only advantage in resigning was, I assume, to protect pension rights?

OP, I think initially you have no alternative but to set your sights much lower. Unless you set up as self employed you need to get whatever job you can. Work hard, make a good impression then move on to something a little better. Once you have done this a couple of times you then have new references available.

Flyonthewall

youngbuck2 wrote: »

I mean, how does training in emergency response driving, restraining people, officer safety/first aid skills and interviewing/case file preparation come into it when looking at changing to another job? At least a firefighter can slot into a health and safety manager type role, a paramedic can work in the private sector and be rewarded handsomely. Police are just...police, or a security guard.

I think you're missing a number of positive points here.

Emergency response driving - quick reaction time and safe driver. Good skill if you look at driving work. Also if you have to maintain the car that's good too as often driving jobs expect you to check over your vehicle. Being able to think fast and react is good in any situation.

Restraining people - strength, good for manual work. Calm and professional even in tough situations - good in any job, especially ones where you might get angry customers.

Officer safety/first aid - always handy to know first aid.

Interviewing/case file preparation - Interviewing shows good communication which all employers want. If you became something like a careers advisor then that would be a very handy skill. Case file preperation or anything office/admin based, especially if it involves IT is useful. A lot of jobs require some form of paper work so it shows you can handle that side.

Temp work might be a good idea. Get some positive references and try out different types of jobs, see what you like and maybe gain a few extra skills as well.

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

youngbuck2 wrote: »

I know what I need to expect now, I'm more looking for viable suggestions.

So the good news is you are young enough to start again and have a fairly rapid progression in another career, and the current mistakes aren't bad enough to shut you out of many careers.

The bad news is you will have to start at a relatively low level and work your way up.

Plenty options for you already in the thread, but if you're looking for something where you can start with no qualifications and work your way up into a career with some stability, benefits, pensions, ability to get a mortgage after a few years, etc, rather than just a job, there are some things you can look at.

I would suggest having a look at the leisure and hospitality industry (restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels, etc) as a career where you can start with nothing, learn a lot, work your way up quickly, and end up back on 40K a year within a reasonable length of time, where it should be possible to get an entry level job even with a few 'black marks', and where subsequent to that it is rare for employers to check more than a couple of your most recent references.

So for example you could start out at the bottom working for just a few hundred quid a week, gain knowledge, experience and recent references in a number of roles, leverage your age and maturity to get a supervisor role after 12 months or so, do that for a year, apply somewhere else for an assistant manager role at 20K to 25K, go through their management training programme, end up as a Deputy manager on 27K to 32K after 2-3 years, and a GM on 35K to 45K a couple of years later.

Job hopping is expected in that industry and not particularly looked down on, which is useful for someone starting out as they can try a variety of roles quickly to build experience, and also build a number of current good references.

People with mistakes in early life are not remotely unusual, and the bankruptcy is not a problem so long as it's discharged and you're not working in the gaming side of things (casino, etc).

Your experience of front line policing is also possibly an advantage, particularly in town centre bars or nightclubs, where licensing/legal compliance/handling incidents is a big part of the role and a knowledge of how to work with the Police is an advantage.

If it's something you want to consider, then I would say start with small independent establishments to learn the ropes and gain experience as they rarely check references, then switch to the national chains once you have a few good references behind you as the pay and progression is better.

I would advise you to think carefully about how to discuss the misconduct allegation if it ever comes up with a potential employer though. If it was related to honesty, it is doubtful that would be acceptable in an industry that deals with a lot of cash, or any industry for that matter. If it was related to a youthful indiscretion or momentary lapse of judgement, then there is often more leeway for an employer to disregard it.

Or as others have posted, there's always driving, trades, doorstaff/security (if you can get an SIA badge), etc.

Good luck...

youngbuck2

Undervalued wrote: »

I know this won't be what the OP wants to hear but I would sincerely hope no reputable organisation in that field would employ an ex policeman who resigned whilst facing gross misconduct allegations.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the alleged misconduct are, once someone resigns in such circumstances they are declaring themselves "guilty" to any potential employer. The only advantage in resigning was, I assume, to protect pension rights?

OP, I think initially you have no alternative but to set your sights much lower. Unless you set up as self employed you need to get whatever job you can. Work hard, make a good impression then move on to something a little better. Once you have done this a couple of times you then have new references available.

I resigned as 'on paper' it at least gives me a chance to explain myself a bit more. Dismissed/sacked to me, seemed marginally worse than resigned.

I quite like the idea of Health & Safety as someone above mentioned. I can complete a NEBOSH certificate in a fairly short amount of time, hopefully land an entry-level health and safety advisor role (I've seen some advertised that only require the certificate with no prior experience) and go from there?

Whilst studying for the certificate I plan on getting a part-time job 1. to get a bit of cash coming in 2. to gain an additional reference. I also plan on volunteering in something locally, Red Cross, St John's etc that will add something to be CV, benefit the people I work with and also provide a character reference (hopefully).

Does all that sound feasible or is the NEBOSH certificate setting my sights too high still?

Flyonthewall

youngbuck2 wrote: »

I've looked into getting into a trade via an apprenticeship but for example, being an apprentice plumber, I've read typically takes 4-5 years to qualify?! Sorry but I can't be earning £90 a week for 4 years as an apprentice, I'll be 33 when I finish and still living with parents.

Apprenticeships are full time usually and for your age you'd be on NMW. Apprenticeships also have different levels because you're learning and working. That's the reason why it takes so long.

Is there anything I can study part-time, a certificate/qualification that is recognised by any professions that will land me a job? Maybe becoming a counsellor or something?

Nothing is guaranteed. Finding a job is hard for everyone right now. You might do best going to your local college and having a chat with someone, see what the college has to offer.

youngbuck2

HAMISH_MCTAVISH wrote: »

So the good news is you are young enough to start again and have a fairly rapid progression in another career, and the current mistakes aren't bad enough to shut you out of many careers.

The bad news is you will have to start at a relatively low level and work your way up.

Plenty options for you already in the thread, but if you're looking for something where you can start with no qualifications and work your way up into a career with some stability, benefits, pensions, ability to get a mortgage after a few years, etc, rather than just a job, there are some things you can look at.

I would suggest having a look at the leisure and hospitality industry (restaurants, bars, nightclubs, hotels, etc) as a career where you can start with nothing, learn a lot, work your way up quickly, and end up back on 40K a year within a reasonable length of time, where it should be possible to get an entry level job even with a few 'black marks', and where subsequent to that it is rare for employers to check more than a couple of your most recent references.

So for example you could start out at the bottom working for just a few hundred quid a week, gain knowledge, experience and recent references in a number of roles, leverage your age and maturity to get a supervisor role after 12 months or so, do that for a year, apply somewhere else for an assistant manager role at 20K to 25K, go through their management training programme, end up as a Deputy manager on 27K to 32K after 2-3 years, and a GM on 35K to 45K a couple of years later.

Job hopping is expected in that industry and not particularly looked down on, which is useful for someone starting out as they can try a variety of roles quickly to build experience, and also build a number of current good references.

People with mistakes in early life are not remotely unusual, and the bankruptcy is not a problem so long as it's discharged and you're not working in the gaming side of things (casino, etc).

Your experience of front line policing is also possibly an advantage, particularly in town centre bars or nightclubs, where licensing/legal compliance is a big part of the role and a knowledge of how to work with the Police is an advantage.

If it's something you want to consider, then I would say start with small independent establishments to learn the ropes and gain experience as they rarely check references, then switch to the national chains once you have a few good references behind you as the pay and progression is better.

I would advise you to think carefully about how to discuss the misconduct allegation if it ever comes up with a potential employer though. If it was related to honesty, it is doubtful that would be acceptable in an industry that deals with a lot of cash, or any industry for that matter. If it was related to a youthful indiscretion or momentary lapse of judgement, then there is often more leeway for an employer to disregard it.

Or as others have posted, there's always driving, trades, doorstaff/security (if you can get an SIA badge), etc.

Good luck...

OP here. Just wanted to thank you for a very encouraging and inspiring post. I have considered retail and a potential route upwards sound feasible with hard work and careful moves between jobs.

My misconduct was nothing to do with dishonesty, it was unprofessional behaviour on duty to member of the public (unsavoury comments made). It was a moment of stupidity that has cost me my job and I'll be honest with potential employers, I will explain it the same way I just have.

Alter_ego

youngbuck2 wrote: »

I also plan on volunteering in something locally, Red Cross, St John's etc that will add something to be CV, benefit the people I work with and also provide a character reference (hopefully).

Red Cross (& presumably others) Require a DBS check on most volunteers if they are in contact with the public/vulnerable folk.
Not sure whether your bankruptcy would show or need to be declared on that.
Sorry to be negative but better forewarned.