Police Special Constable References Whilst at University

Lightning360

Hello. I don't know if this is the right place for this but I didn't know where else to put it.

I'm currently in first year of uni and next year, I am considering volunteering for the special constables, however, I am struggling with references. I have never worked so it can't be from an employer so the only thing left are university tutors, however, I have barely talked to them. I have had 4 this year. 
Tutor 1 - In-person classes but never talked to them (we didn't need to).
Tutor 2 - In-person and online class but did talk a bit.
Tutor 3 - Online and talked a few times.
Tutor 4 - Online and never talked to (we didn't need to).

That's my dialema. My tutors probably barely know me and at least 2 of them probably have no recollection of who I am. I don't know what the application team will actually ask them so I don't know if it's worth putting them down.

~Beanie~

You should have a personal tutor (or similar), can't you use them?  If you are 1st year at Uni, it isn't that long since you left school/college, put them as a reference?

Lightning360

~Beanie~ said:

You should have a personal tutor (or similar), can't you use them?  If you are 1st year at Uni, it isn't that long since you left school/college, put them as a reference?

I have an academic adviser but I've only spoken to them once which was in September. I'd rather avoid anything to do with school. I wasn't happy with how they dealt with something that happened before we ended the year in March 2020 due to Covid.

TBagpuss

If you aren't planning to apply until next year, why not make sure that you do have a few conversations with your personal tutor / person teaching the module you are doing best in over the next couple of months, so that when you do ask to use them as references they know who you are? 

Lightning360

TBagpuss said:

If you aren't planning to apply until next year, why not make sure that you do have a few conversations with your personal tutor / person teaching the module you are doing best in over the next couple of months, so that when you do ask to use them as references they know who you are? 

Sounds like a plan. The issue this year is that most things have been online where were told not to put our camera on (we were told this for tutors 1 and 4) or in-person so we had to wear masks. None of this makes it easy for anyone to remember who we are.
I think part of the problem is the website doesn't say what they will actually ask them. If it is anything personal, no chance, But if it's things like attendence, puntuality, and grades then it should be fine.

Andy_L

What do the police say they will accept as referees? 

Lightning360

Andy_L said:

What do the police say they will accept as referees? 

I have emailed them to check as the website only mentions employeers, however, it would seem strange consider you can apply from 17.5 years old and not many people will have had a job by then (it also seems that you don't have to have worked. All of the employment things say "if applicable").

oh_really

Why not get some life experience first?

k3lvc

oh_really said:

Why not get some life experience first?

Exactly this - if you're going to apply in the early years (18/21) you really should have something to bring to the party - experience of uniformed organisations, proof of pushing yourself outside the age 'norms' or some serious life-skills.

If you're worried about who you can ask for a reference rather than what they're going to say to support your application you're probably unlikely to progress much beyond application 

Lightning360

k3lvc said:

oh_really said:

Why not get some life experience first?

Exactly this - if you're going to apply in the early years (18/21) you really should have something to bring to the party - experience of uniformed organisations, proof of pushing yourself outside the age 'norms' or some serious life-skills.

If you're worried about who you can ask for a reference rather than what they're going to say to support your application you're probably unlikely to progress much beyond application 

Who says I haven't? I've probably done more than other people at my age, I just don't know what they would accept as a reference. They are clearly two separate issues and acting like not having a reference means I haven't done anything is a bit strange imo. 

k3lvc

Lightning360 said:

k3lvc said:

oh_really said:

Why not get some life experience first?

Exactly this - if you're going to apply in the early years (18/21) you really should have something to bring to the party - experience of uniformed organisations, proof of pushing yourself outside the age 'norms' or some serious life-skills.

If you're worried about who you can ask for a reference rather than what they're going to say to support your application you're probably unlikely to progress much beyond application 

Who says I haven't? I've probably done more than other people at my age, I just don't know what they would accept as a reference. They are clearly two separate issues and acting like not having a reference means I haven't done anything is a bit strange imo. 

In which case you need to explain to them that your references come from sources relevant to your application rather than trying to fulfil their normal criteria. I've significant experience in this area - the force you're applying to should have a recruitment officer you can talk to and seek advice about this - they'll look on a pro-active approach far more kindly than an application that just ticks boxes