joining police - any advice?

Peter_Pan_6

Like your moniker,biblejohn the polis in glasgow were looking for some-one nicknamed

that in the 70`s.

May

My husband is a Police offiser. It took him 3 years to get in due to administrative problems. This resulted in writing to our local MP for help. However, now that he's in, he loves it. The shifts aren't that bad depending on which station you are posted to. I would recommend keeping up to date with issues concerning the force as they ask your political views on subjects at the interview. Also, get physically fit as the Met do fitness tests which you have to pass to get in.

After 2 years with the Met, he's currently earning 30k

miss_lisalou

I started working for my police force 2 years ago and haven't looked back since. I love it. To pick up on a couple of points mentioned earlier - I find the shifts really flexible, having worked mon-fri 9-5 for what felt like a lifetime, it's great to have different days of the week off and different times of the day. And with a 20% shift allowance on top of the basic pay.. .what more need I say

But I wouldn't recommend joining the Specials first unless you're committed to your other job first and foremost. Colleagues I've known as Specials have tried to get fulltime employed positions within the same force but it seldom happens - let's face it, if someone is willing to do a job for free then why give them a salary (not my personal view, before I get bombarded with complaints, but that of most recruitment officers I'm afraid)

Poppy9

May wrote:

After 2 years with the Met, he's currently earning 30k

The £30k must be with overtime because without it the salary scale is as follows:

Police payscales sept 04

these include shift allowances in Wales.

Jay-Jay_4

N9eav wrote:

The application form contains questions about you and your family, and whether you have been in trouble with the police, even a parking ticket. DON'T LIE. Even if you have had a few things it may be OK, if you LIE, you will be out on your ear in the future when they find out.

If you have ever failed to pay for a TV licence or tax disc and been prosecuted, put the application in the bin now.

There will be a series of life questions such as " Give your best example of how you have dealt with a dispute"? You will have to rack your brains and think of some good answers to these. Find a friendly copper to check them before you send it in. (there are ways to phrase things to make sure the marking matrix works). Most forces require the candidate to have a bit of life skills and experience, so when you answer make yourself look good. Because policing is different from most jobs, A levels and degrees are not required. You need loads of common sense, be thick skinned, at times a total Bas***d, and a sypathetic ear and loads of other stuff, a sense of humour!

Policing is 99.9% more than giving out speeding tickets!

Most people I know never joined the specials first, so if you want to join go for it. If you need any help send me a message....

That's all really good advice.

There is also the practical/roleplay interview where your BIL will have to act out a scenario. For example, someone is being aggressive in a shop and your BIL needs to calm him down and reason with him. What your BIL needs is what N9eav said....."loads of common sense, be thick skinned, at times a total Bas***d, and a sypathetic ear and loads of other stuff, a sense of humour!".



I agree about becoming a CSO, don't bother, get his application straight in to the Police and get the ball rolling.

pavlovs_dog

cheers guys, you're comments and advice are much appreciated all round :T

pavlovs_dog

bumped so rellies can find it!

Poppy9

miss_lisalou wrote:

But I wouldn't recommend joining the Specials first unless you're committed to your other job first and foremost. Colleagues I've known as Specials have tried to get fulltime employed positions within the same force but it seldom happens - let's face it, if someone is willing to do a job for free then why give them a salary (not my personal view, before I get bombarded with complaints, but that of most recruitment officers I'm afraid)

Our local paper had a picture of 10 new Specials who have just finished their basic training and are being let loose!! Anyway the article also said that the forces supply of Specials is dwindling because 20 of them have just joined the regulars. This is the S.Wales Police force so I would find out information for the force you are applying to. Under the Freedom of Information Act they would have to tell you if you asked.

Miss Lisa lou - are you saying you get 20% on top of the published pay scales for shifts. I know SWP don't give their officers this and friends who have moved from the Met haven't mentioned it either. If you do what force are you with as I am sure they would like to use this as ammunition to get extra money (wouldn't we all)

daveboy

Tell him he is free to speed without blue flashing lights as Parliament passed one law for him and one for the rest of us.

loopy_lass

daveboy wrote:

Tell him he is free to speed without blue flashing lights as Parliament passed one law for him and one for the rest of us.

OOooooo.... do i detect a tone here ;-)

loops