Joining The Police?

keyboardwarrior

keyboardwarrior

keyboardwarrior

Permabanned
Joined
26 Jan 2009
Posts
153
Im thinking aboot joining the ol' Police Force. Want to be an Armed Response Officer or Pursuit Officer. Any ideas on what to expect upon appyling to just join as a basic PCSO? Im in Silverdale (Newcastle).

KbW
 
You wont be able to do either of those as a PCSO I'm afraid.

Even if you join the regulars, you'll have to do at the very least 2 years as a beat officer before youre able to apply for such things, more like at least 5 years to get the experience/skills you require.
 
keyboardwarrior said:
Im thinking aboot joining the ol' Police Force. Want to be an Armed Response Officer or Pursuit Officer. Any ideas on what to expect upon appyling to just join as a basic PCSO? Im in Silverdale (Newcastle).

KbW
Click to expand...

You are better off looking at going straight in as plod rather than PCSO. From when you start training, you will have to complete 2 years probation before you are permitted to start applying for speciallist units such as Armed Response and the like.

If you go in as a PCSO, you then have to go through the rigmarole of being taken on as a proper copper and then onto what you want...why not cut out the initial stage?

As for what to expect, a very lengthy application process inclusive of literacy and numeracy tests, interviews, role plays and a novel of an application form.
 
You will need to be a full police officer and have been doing that for about 5 years (not a definite number, but you need to have experience to be considered) before you can go to either of those. Going through the armed response is the easiest method to get to pursuit driving.
 
Being a PCSO is a useful stepping stone to being a PC - most forces have a fastrack policy where PCSO can apply to be police officers ahead of the general public. However, you will have to be a PCSO for at least a year before you can move on (changes from force to force).
The roles you want are very specialised and require significant time in force before even applying. I doubt you'd get either position without at least a few years beyond your initial probation as a PC (most forces have 2 years for this)
 
keyboardwarrior said:
So even IF i get in, its still a 2year gap untill i can be a specialist? Can i join as a copper in a car or? (Obviously after i pass my driving test)

KbW
Click to expand...

No, you have two years probation and you need a driving license to be accepted into the police force.

You do 36 weeks training and 2 years probation before you can diversify into other Policin Area's.
 
keyboardwarrior said:
So even IF i get in, its still a 2year gap untill i can be a specialist? Can i join as a copper in a car or? (Obviously after i pass my driving test)

KbW
Click to expand...

I guess it depends where you are sent, and if they have a need for a Police driver.

My advice would be leave it a few years until you get a bit older and have more life experience, instead of just wanting to join to be in armed response or drive fast cars...
 
Pez said:
Even if his background research into the role is lacking a little, why does he get a rolleyes for his choice of career?
Click to expand...



Because those are two roles where it could be fairly said that the kind of people who want the job should never be allowed to hold it. Essentially the OP is saying he wants to either a) be able to shoot people, or b) wants to be able to drive way over the legal speed limit (although to be fair, so do many of us).


M
 
I think you really need to research much harder into your career choice, best way is to give your local station a call and ask to speak to a probationer and a more experienced officer. Go with a list of questions and they will be more than happy to help you.
 
Kinda agree with Meridian, he has asked how to do it and doesnt even know the procedure for joining?

Im considering joining the police force myself, I emailed my local constabulary but havent had an answer yet. Certainly something im interested in doing though seems to be a lot of different roles you can do and its something you can take some job satisfaction from!
 
R5Rich said:
Kinda agree with Meridian, he has asked how to do it and doesnt even know the procedure for joining?

Im considering joining the police force myself, I emailed my local constabulary but havent had an answer yet. Certainly something im interested in doing though seems to be a lot of different roles you can do and its something you can take some job satisfaction from!
Click to expand...

Just apply mate, websites like policecouldyou and other sorts will give you an indication.

For West Mercia, before you even get an application pack, you have to go to an Open Evening. Good way of doing it.
 
I'm going to join armed response after my 2 years of probation ;) let the two years begin.

Are you fit enough? Can you get like 9.2 on the bleep test and push and pull about 45kg's on a dynamo machine?

Toodles.
 
keyboardwarrior said:
???
Bleep test? Dynamo Machine?


KbW
Click to expand...


Part of the physical is a push and pull test and you have to complete the bleep test to a satisfactory standard (5.4 is the current level for Sussex) to be a normal copper.

If you can walk from the car park into the sports hall where you will do the bleep test then you will pass it. That was the advice given to my other half upon his application.

Places in the Armed Response Units are extremely limited and if you suffer from anything such as Asthma then you are unlikely to be taken on for the role.

Personally I don't understand all the wee taking that is going on in this thread, the guy has only asked for some advice, everyone has to start somewhere.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom