.

Zefan · 20 May 2007 at 14:18

Yeah I've been thinking about this incase I drop out of uni, has a strange attraction, perhaps the power/uniform/cog in a machine mentality?

Kol · 20 May 2007 at 14:22

Zefan said:
Yeah I've been thinking about this incase I drop out of uni, has a strange attraction, perhaps the power/uniform/cog in a machine mentality?

I reckon it's the power, but I'm pretty good with people and mediation, so that's a possibility. I would like to finish Uni though, as iirc you go in at a higher level and the likelihood of promotion is greater. How true that is, I have no idea. I could never drop out of uni as I feel I'd disappoint too many people, that and I have no need to, I enjoy the lifestyle :cool:

and the course, naturally.

edit -for clarity, the power comment was tongue in cheek.

glissando · 20 May 2007 at 14:35

If you want to join the police for the 'power' then please, please don't.

DAVEM · 20 May 2007 at 14:38

Kol said:
I reckon it's the power, but I'm pretty good with people and mediation, so that's a possibility. I would like to finish Uni though, as iirc you go in at a higher level and the likelihood of promotion is greater. How true that is, I have no idea. I could never drop out of uni as I feel I'd disappoint too many people, that and I have no need to, I enjoy the lifestyle and the course, naturally.

Well if you stay at uni, the you could consider something like SOCA (Serious and Organised Crime Agency)?

Davem

TheVoice · 20 May 2007 at 14:38

I've always dreamed of joining the Police Service (not a Force anymore

), but for medical issues (among others), it doesn't seem like a reality. Bit of a heart-breaking thing for me because I've always been completely obsessed with it all, but I'll have to deal with that I suppose. I'm nto really sure it's entirely about the power, I just have something of an obsession with helping people, and people who break the law just annoy me to no end. I think it's the sheer lack of respect (both towards the police and the law) that causes that.

Regardless of that though, I'm currently studying a degree in Policing/Policing Studies, which has been really interesting. At the end of my 2nd year now (last exam on Tuesday) and it's been excellent so far. Not just focused on the police, either - looks at all aspects of the criminal justice process as well as other external factors towards crime etc. Wouldn't want to be studying anything else, and providing I get the First that I'm aiming for, it should help me in getting into any of the non-Police government agencies that are concerned with crime and terrorism.

ca9phoenix · 20 May 2007 at 14:43

As long as you get a good shift and supervision it's a great job, lots of excitement and no two days are alike

i didn't so left last march!

Unbeliever · 20 May 2007 at 14:44

I dont post here very often but I'm a police officer in Strathclyde Police. I know a lot of people don't particularly like the police force due to differing experiences etc but I enjoy my job, the good points definately outweigh the bad. Don't join for the power however, i'm relatively young in service and have met a few people who are power mad, its not the best way to police.

slambo69 · 20 May 2007 at 14:51

Can I ask, whats it like being a police officer in Glasgow? My flatmate got mugged lastnight at knife point and the other week a junkie broke into another flatmates room and got his ipod but he chased after him and caught him. Do you see a lot of knife crime?

Unbeliever · 20 May 2007 at 15:01

I work just on the outskirts of Glasgow but its quite a busy area. Can be quite an eye opener some of the calls we go to, but it can be quite varied and some calls require a lot of common sense to try and work through. As for knife crime lately in my area there has been a spate of stabbings, but a small percentage of them are complaints actually made. A lot of the time they don't want to as they have ways and means of sorting it out, but we'll show up as if its reported to us we're duty bound to make an appearance.

Its a great job but its what you make of it at the end of the day. If you go to a call and be professional throughout you can make an impression that might just change someones opinion of the police from bad to good.

atpbx · 20 May 2007 at 15:05

I went through filling the application form out and getting the eye test and doing a dry run of the fitness test.

Then i asked myself why i was doing it and the answer was "because the pay is half decent".

So i didnt bother, because then i would be like 99% of the asshats currently serving in the police.

Kol · 20 May 2007 at 15:10

glissando said:
If you want to join the police for the 'power' then please, please don't.

It was tongue in cheek. Not serious. Living in Nottingham I have come across a lot of undesirable people who feel it is OK to be committing crime against mostly weaker victims. There only seems to be a handful of Police who actually seem to be able to comfort victims without acting like they're wasting their time.

Unbeliever · 20 May 2007 at 15:18

Kol said:
It was tongue in cheek. Not serious. Living in Nottingham I have come across a lot of undesirable people who feel it is OK to be committing crime against mostly weaker victims. There only seems to be a handful of Police who actually seem to be able to comfort victims without acting like they're wasting their time.

If you think you've got what it takes then go for it. It can be very rewarding.

Gaygle · 20 May 2007 at 15:30

Kol said:
I would like to finish Uni though, as iirc you go in at a higher level and the likelihood of promotion is greater.

First, definately finish uni! Its absolutely awesome at uni, and why anyone would want to leave prematurely is beyond me. When you've finished you have 45 years to do as much work as you want. Secondly, you do not go at a higher level, its just (iirc) if you achieve excellent marks on your police exams and are recognised as having a high potential, you can be recommended for the HPDS. Although, i've heard people that go through the HPDS are sometimes...er.. not as well recieved by colleagues than if they have worked their way up!

Also, i don't think having a degree gives you an edge for promotion either.

ScoobyDoo · 20 May 2007 at 17:38

@ deleted @

Kol · 20 May 2007 at 18:06

Gaygle said:
First, definately finish uni! Its absolutely awesome at uni, and why anyone would want to leave prematurely is beyond me. When you've finished you have 45 years to do as much work as you want. Secondly, you do not go at a higher level, its just (iirc) if you achieve excellent marks on your police exams and are recognised as having a high potential, you can be recommended for the HPDS. Although, i've heard people that go through the HPDS are sometimes...er.. not as well recieved by colleagues than if they have worked their way up!

Also, i don't think having a degree gives you an edge for promotion either.

Yea, must have been something someone who doesn't know what they're talking about told me a while ago. Cheers for the info fella.

SexyGreyFox · 20 May 2007 at 19:50

I know 4 English white males who have passed all their tests but can't get a placement.
Good luck.

Jonny · 20 May 2007 at 20:06

I used to call handle in the control room (999 calls and non-emergency) and now I'm a dispatcher, although when we are short on staff I sometimes take calls as well. I believe West is currently awaiting to here whether he has got this job for another force - fingers crossed.
I have passed all the necessary tests and am simply waiting for a date to start as a PC - should hopefully be before the end of the year. Although I am glad I have had nearly a couple of years in the control room and have also had various attachments throughout the job as I am by no means going in with the attitude that I can change the world and at least I know how much work goes in to something so simple as dealing with a petty shoplifter.
At present I enjoy my job despite it being stressful at times - it's as close to the front line as you can get without being a uniformed officer and would recommend it to anyone thinking of joining as a PC and also to those who for whatever reason can not join as a bobby.

From what I can make out, the job is only what you make of it so if you think you'd enjoy it I wish you all the luck in the world and if you need any help with assessment centres etc I'll try my best.

Meridian · 20 May 2007 at 22:19

dmpoole said:
I know 4 English white males who have passed all their tests but can't get a placement.
Good luck.

Before you start, there is nothing special about white males - most of the forces are not accepting ANY further recruits. The doors open for about a month ever year, then close again. Too many people chasing too few jobs.

M

meghatronic · 20 May 2007 at 23:37

Meridian said:
Before you start, there is nothing special about white males - most of the forces are not accepting ANY further recruits. The doors open for about a month ever year, then close again. Too many people chasing too few jobs.

M

That might be so but Greater Manchester Plod still admitted to positive descrimination. So he's quite right.