Joining The Police?

Pauliee said:
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.
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I'd get out on the streets first and get some proper experience before stating that you will be going into armed response straight away after 2 years!
 
The other half:

Don't get too hung up on doing specialist roles, if you want to join the job you have to be 100% committed to being a frontline bobby first, it's not easy and the waiting game is enough to put you off.

You will never even get within spitting distance of specialist roles if you can't be a basic bobby, getting stuck in, dealing with ***** and generally getting your hands dirty and serving your community.

As for pursuit driving, your average response officer (eventually when trained) may get involved in early stages of pursuits or blue light runs to jobs, but that just means you get to the paperwork quicker!!

If you wanna specialise you need to learn the trade first else they won't even entertain your application to the Gucci sexy stuff!

Good luck if you decide to do it, it's a fantastic job and despite the pitfalls it's very rewarding and very interesting!

Jason
 
I have just recently started my probation and like many have said you will not be considered for posts like that anytime soon. Just apply and if you are successful throw yourself into the job 110%, there is a lot to learn and depending on the type of person you are and where you are based it can be a very steep learning curve. Keep your head down and work hard.

As a probationer you get appraisals every so often to see how you are getting on, this is your chance to tell your gaffer you have interest in certain areas of policing, you may also get the opportunity to do secondments throughout your probation to different units.

I’ve always wanted to be in the dog unit and since starting I’ve mentioned it in every appraisal, hopefully I will get a secondment at some point this year. But I am under no illusions that it will take a long time but I’m determined to stick at it.

http://www.policeuk.com/forum/ is a good resource to help you get through your forces application process and to give you and idea what to expect initially.
 
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
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Learn to walk before you can run.

You must do at least a two year probationary period before you can apply for any specialist post and many forces stipulate that you have a minimum of 4 years before applying to be an AFO or advanced driver.

All I wanted when I joined was to crew the ARVs but After less than a years service I wouldn't have thanked anyone to carry a firearm. I have 9 years in now and enjoy the job but you should get a taste of front line policing before even considering specialisation.

Carrying a firearm as a British police officer is a massive responsibility as is also pushing a 3 litre BMW or a 2.5 T Volvo to the limits in a pursuit but it must be done safely. It must be done with a cool head and not with red mist.

I personally wouldn't go down the PCSO route but that is your choice.

Policing is mostly common sense and good communication but you see some awful sights that can affect you away from work and you should be aware of that.

Apart from that picture of misery I have posted, crack on. :)
 
A bit of a thread revival here but it is the most recent relevant topic. If you want to find out lots of information from people looking to join, in training, current and retired officers, check out www.policeuk.com/forum

I have found out plenty of information and now have a much better understanding of what is involved.

I am looking to join the Metropolitan Police and will be attending a recruitment event on 1st April to find out more and get the necessary information so that I can apply.

I am very excited as this is something I have wanted to do since I was 18 (albeit with the Kent Police) and now I am at a stage in my life where it is the right move for me I believe.

It is a long process/journey through recruitment and it will be tough but I believe I have got what it takes to make a good Police Officer :)

As with the OP I was thinking of units I would like to specialise in. But I realise now I need to get the job first, become a good Police Officer, and in time I will learn what the right unit to specialise in is for me!
 
My friend works for the police and said a lot of the armed response people were previously in the armed forces, they tend to go for these sort of people.

That's not to say it rules you out though, was just passing on info. Good luck.
 
Yup good luck SS - Must agree with Smallhausen though, these days armed response seems a poor career choice - you're damned if you dont react properly, and damned if you do shoot to kill - cant say I'd like their job.

(Though that still doesnt excuse the several high profile mistakes that have been made over recent years)

LOL @ Kbw's permaban though :p
 
Just got my app pack from WMP for the second time. Actually going to try a lot harder this time!

My friend finishes his training on Friday.

It took him two years from first getting the application form to starting training and that was without any hitches.
 
Skully said:
Just got my app pack from WMP for the second time. Actually going to try a lot harder this time!

My friend finishes his training on Friday.

It took him two years from first getting the application form to starting training and that was without any hitches.
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What do you mean you got it back? Had you already sent it off? How did you get on?

Yeah there seems to be a large variety of timescales for people getting in, ranging from 6 months to 18 months, and in your friend's case as long as 2 years.

What force are you applying for?
 
ScarySquirrel said:
What do you mean you got it back? Had you already sent it off? How did you get on?

Yeah there seems to be a large variety of timescales for people getting in, ranging from 6 months to 18 months, and in your friend's case as long as 2 years.

What force are you applying for?
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Didn't say I got it back :p.

I applied a year ago and got rejected, but I went to the open day last Monday to get my new application pack.

I'm applying for West Midlands Police.

I had some feedback on my competency questions, think I got a B, C and two D's. I know why I didn't do very well, because I did them while I was working when it was quiet!

This time around I am taking much more time and about two hours per question on my draft then going through it to tidy it up.

I recommend you get your whole application form photocopied and you write on the copy first! Then you know how much space you have and keep a copy of your final one to refer back to it later!
 
Skully said:
Didn't say I got it back :p.

I applied a year ago and got rejected, but I went to the open day last Monday to get my new application pack.

I'm applying for West Midlands Police.

I had some feedback on my competency questions, think I got a B, C and two D's. I know why I didn't do very well, because I did them while I was working when it was quiet!

This time around I am taking much more time and about two hours per question on my draft then going through it to tidy it up.

I recommend you get your whole application form photocopied and you write on the copy first! Then you know how much space you have and keep a copy of your final one to refer back to it later!
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Yeah I completely agree. There is so much useful information in the forums mentioned above so I am going to be researching each and every question before I work on putting an answer together.

I am a bit concerned that I won't have many experiences to draw upon though. So over the next month I will be actively seeking bullies, fights involving discrination and/or racism just so I can get involved in a "positive" way, haha :p
 
Don't forget telling someone that you ran over their only child.

Drop me an email to my trust address if you want to discuss questions etc!
 
PCSO's aren't always fast tracked, it can sometimes count against you depending on the force you're in. It's also a year wasted frankly, skip it and apply directly.
 
I'm not serving! I hope your real life observational skills are better than on the forum haha!

I'm applying for the second time!
 
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