Police - Force Intelligence Researcher

[AHarvey]

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone is in the force that may know about this position, what it's really like etc.

I'm currently in an IT role, supposed to be doing SEO, web dev and programming as well but get no time or support with training etc. £16k a year but the only perk is I can walk there in 12 minutes so have no travel costs. That salary is what some of our sales guys make in a month and they wouldn't if I wasn't constantly sorting their IT stuff out. Finish at 5:30pm and home by 5:45pm for family time. If I had a team/apprentice helping out with the mundane stuff and I had time to concentrate on SEO, procedures, development I'd be much happier and could see myself earning more (although on sales are rewarded in this company).

Now there is a grade E (£20-24k) Force Intelligence officer researcher position being advertised around 23 miles from here. I'd need a new car to get me there and back as our car is used for the school run now. so that extra £4k a year would go on getting there and back and the hours are 37 a week between 7am and 7pm which if I'm working late means I don't see the kids. But making a difference is important to me.

I've read the description and I would be great in the role and it would allow me to progress into higher positions or side step into more technical ones but I was hoping for an insider opinion on the role.

 

[AHarvey]

I assume this is the role in Staffs yes?

I've a few friends who work in the Staffs force (top to bottom) and I spotted this crop up on one of their LinkedIn updates a couple of weeks back, pure coincidence. I could ask one of them for more details if that helps, I think one of those friends is recruiting the roll actually, but would need to check and I have not idea who you are so it would be purely a tell me more, not "I know this good bloke", but happy to ask.

One small point too. If 25K a month is appealing move into sales. When you are there and earning that you will quickly realise that it's not as easy as so many people who have never done it think and that your role in their day to day world has value, it's nowhere near what you think it is. Companies pay for value, it's the way it works and though many just don't see the value, the company does. Your wage is pinned on your value if you think you're not valued enough then move to a place you are.

Not a dig, just the voice of experience.

It is yes and any info you could get would be a great help thank you.

£25k a month is appealing, but I would never do sales, I am not a salesman, I'd rather make that by creating something that sells, that helps, that fulfils a need. I am more of a thinker/problem solver than a talker.

I am fully aware the IT guy isn't the most valuable person in the company, but there is no chance of progression, there is nowhere to go.

Yep anyone making 16k a month in sales is extremely valuable and talented, it's very difficult to get to that level.

No offence, but you'd likely be easily replaceable in your role compared to those sales guys on 16k/m

no offence taken, I know exactly what you are saying, but hard work of any kind should be valued even if that is a "simple thanks for sorting that". I'd be happy being acknowledged for what I do with a thank you, but it's a stereotypical IT roles (I really get the IT crowd now) where I could live in the basement and no one would speak to me unless they needed something Logging on from home unpaid and remotely fixing a laptop and our custom software so a sales person could upload a £4k order should get a thank you.

 

[AHarvey]

I'll ask the question for you.

Thank you

it's the appeal of doing something positive that I find more attractive, I'm too unfit for a constable role

I've worked 7 years in online gambling, taking money from people that really can't afford it and now selling products to people that are overpriced, aren't legally required like we tell them and in fact, may not stand up in court like we tell them has left me feeling rather unfulfilled.

it sounds morbid but when I am lying there on my death bed, I'd like to think I did something that left the world a slightly better place

 

[AHarvey]

Well, after every department but mine (it's only me) being entered into a company race track day competition with over 40 people attending, being missed out on the company email for the Christmas party, and having to deal with a large amount of idiocy from IT users I finally filled out the application and sent it off this morning.

At least i had some recognition and thanks from 2 of the 4 directors for working an extra 12 hours in my own time so that we could meet a deadline set by our partner and allowing us to sell their products!

 

[AHarvey]

Ouch, sounds like they really don't appreciate you, and you're making the right move by getting out!

Also, £16k sounds on the low side for what you're doing! That's more like entry level first line tech support, not the only IT guy in the company doing everything from infrastructure to development!

yeah but considering I have no travel costs and no car to run it doesn't bother me too much, it was supposed to be £18k, at least that's what I was told. To travel out of town i'd need another car + petrol so looking at £3k more a year on running costs.