I wanna do... police volunteering!

sophie131

Have no idea if this is the right place or not! I just have a couple of questions from anybody who's able to answer them! I'm 17, still in sixth form for another year. When I leave I want to go straight into the police force, so I thought volunteering would give me some skills I need before I apply for the real job, do you think volunteering would give me an edge above other candidates? I know i'm young and they like life experience of things so I can't see any other way of getting it! Is there anything else I could do to get more experience over other people?
Also, is volunteering good? I have no idea what it involves! Got 5 or so forms to fill out and send back now but just thought i'd ask here first!!
Thanks to anyone who can help

Pink.

Hi Sophie,

You should get more replies to your question on the Employment and Jobseeking board so I'll move your thread across for you.

Pink

Cazza

Contact your local police station as many areas & forces run a cadet group which your might enjoy. MY OH did this fron the age of 14-19 and loved it. You can volunteer as a Special, but I think you might need to be a little older for this.

Oldernotwiser

Volunteering with community groups and working with young people would be the most useful areas to look at. You need to also give a lot of thought to why you want to enter the Police Service and what you have to offer. Your Connexions Service should have books about the requirements and examples of the entry tests. Many of these tests would be almost impossible to complete successfully without more life experience than the average 18 year old could have. I'd also apply to university for next year for suitable courses as a back up as very few people are taken on at 18.

faithless

Yeah, I know a few people who applied to join the police straight from school and none got in.
You'll need to get a job in the meantime anyway as the application process is six months or so. The one guy I know kept working as a security guard for a store, reapplied, didn't get it, kept working and also joined as a part time volunteer officer, then reapplied and got taken on at 21-22ish.

lauranurse

Hi Sophie

Volunteering will definitely help you with your application, as it will show your commitment to the career and will also help you learn skills which you will use throughout your working life. I think the police are always looking for volunteers, I often see them advertising at the front of my local Tesco, so hopefully you will get accepted without too much bother.

If the police dont take you on as a volunteer then you might consider volunteering somewhere else in a people-orientated role. This will still give you valuable skills, and employers like to see volunteering on your CV.

Volunteering will also give you something to talk about at your interview - especially when they ask questions which need an example to illustrate your answer, eg how you managed a difficult situation etc.

Good luck!

Sailor_Sam

I am a volunteer i love it, for victim support. some of the experience you get with VS may help you with a career in the police. You meet victims of crime, and depending on what the police do in their area, you may go out with one of them, when they visit victims to see if they are happy with the service they have had.

dfarry

I know of 18 year old Special Constables - you may want to check out www.policespecials.com

However a period as a PCSO might be more appropriate and rewarding, after two years most PCSO's can apply to be fast tracked into their force as police officers I believe.

Savvy_Sue

You may find some voluntary organisations are reluctant to take you before you're 18, and they may have good reason for this (before anyone shouts about age discrimination).