Special Constabulary

Slinwagh · 18 Aug 2007 at 12:20

blitz2163 said:
whats the difference between these and CSO's?

Loads, Specials have all the powers thats regular officers have, PCSO's have none.

PCSO's are salary based, Specials are volunteers that have their expenses covered.

Burnsy2023 · 18 Aug 2007 at 12:34

GraemeUK said:
Can you please keep us informed once you apply what the interview and fitness tests are like please?

Cheers

Certainly sir

Slinwagh, why did you end up quitting?

Burnsy

Burnsy2023 · 18 Aug 2007 at 12:46

richyfingers said:
This forum should help you considerably, it has a section for all of the forces in the UK and also a sub forum dedicated to the specials

http://www.policeuk.com/forum/index.php?sid=3fdc8e2d325dda73801adc97a6c5e987

It's had some pretty invaluable information helping me through the initial recruitment stages.

Thanks, I've just registered and your right, it's full of info

Just a shame you can't arrest people for using an unlicensed version of Windows

Burnsy

Slinwagh · 18 Aug 2007 at 13:17

burnsy2023 said:
Certainly sir

Slinwagh, why did you end up quitting?

Burnsy

I was working for the Commonwealth Games from 1999 - 2003 in Manchester, I lived in Crewe so I was travelling everday plus the closer it got to the start of the games I just didn't have any free time.

Not long after I finished at the Commonwealth games we decided to have children so at that point I resigned as i was going to stay at home and look after the baby while my wife went back to work.

Burnsy2023 · 18 Aug 2007 at 13:36

Slinwagh said:
I was working for the Commonwealth Games from 1999 - 2003 in Manchester, I lived in Crewe so I was travelling everday plus the closer it got to the start of the games I just didn't have any free time.

Not long after I finished at the Commonwealth games we decided to have children so at that point I resigned as i was going to stay at home and look after the baby while my wife went back to work.

Couple of questions, but firstly have you thought of reapplying when your kids a bit older?

With regard to the uniform, from what I read the body armour is measured to fit you specifically and so do you keep all the equipment at home or at the station?

What 'level' did you end up at?

Thanks

Burnsy

Slinwagh · 18 Aug 2007 at 13:46

burnsy2023 said:
Couple of questions, but firstly have you thought of reapplying when your kids a bit older?

With regard to the uniform, from what I read the body armour is measured to fit you specifically and so do you keep all the equipment at home or at the station?

What 'level' did you end up at?

Thanks

Burnsy

My little girl will be 4 in Februaury so I am about to go back to work now she is at nursery full time, half days, a child minder will be having her for the other half.

The only reason i have never re joined is that i have never really thought about it, would I though, yes defineately!

I kept all my kit at home other than CS gas which had to be locked away securely.

As for the "rank" i believe it has recently changed in Cheshire to reflect, PC, Sargeant, Inspector, the same ranks as the regualr officers.

Back when I was in it was Special, section officer (Sargeant) and so on. I was just a good old special!

Add me to MSN if you like dave @ markermart.co.uk

Skully · 18 Aug 2007 at 14:23

If I'm not accepted as a regular this time then I will join the specials for a while for the experience.

Would love to get into the regulars now, but keep fumbling on the competency questions. Hopefully because I have been making the effort and going to regular meetings and seminars this will improve and be ok!

big_white_dog84 · 18 Aug 2007 at 14:56

If you're interested in something like that why not consider the TA, Naval Reserve or Air Force Reserve? That way you get paid (and paid quite well) for your effort.

sgx.saint · 18 Aug 2007 at 19:42

killsta said:
Being a paramedic in my force is deemed a conflict of interests so you might want to watch out for that if you decide to apply.

Even if the position of paramedic is voluntree?

Burnsy2023 · 18 Aug 2007 at 20:38

big_white_dog84 said:
If you're interested in something like that why not consider the TA, Naval Reserve or Air Force Reserve? That way you get paid (and paid quite well) for your effort.

Yeah but it's a totally different job isn't it? And I couldn't commit to having a tour of duty should I be needed.

The pay reflects the commitment.

Burnsy

Hades · 18 Aug 2007 at 21:41

This is something I've been considering for a while. My father was a regular and I do sometimes look back and regret not giving it a try. So I've been thinking of trying out for a special at some point. But I'm 38 and I guess a little too old now?

sgx.saint · 18 Aug 2007 at 21:42

Hades said:
This is something I've been considering for a while. My father was a regular and I do sometimes look back and regret not giving it a try. So I've been thinking of trying out for a special at some point. But I'm 38 and I guess a little too old now?

The max joining age used to be 35 afaik, but I think it has either been removed or raised due to age discrimination laws....?

I'm sure someone can confirm or deny.

Hades · 18 Aug 2007 at 21:57

sgx.saint said:
The max joining age used to be 35 afaik, but I think it has either been removed or raised due to age discrimination laws....?

I'm sure someone can confirm or deny.

Thanks. Just found this so looks like I could still apply if I choose to:

Age

We will consider your application if you are aged between 18 and 57 at the time of applying.

Burnsy2023 · 18 Aug 2007 at 21:57

Hades said:
This is something I've been considering for a while. My father was a regular and I do sometimes look back and regret not giving it a try. So I've been thinking of trying out for a special at some point. But I'm 38 and I guess a little too old now?

There is no upper age limit to joining the specials

Burnsy

sgx.saint · 18 Aug 2007 at 21:59

Hades said:
Thanks. Just found this so looks like I could still apply if I choose to:

No worries, go for it, I'm sure you will enjoy the experience.

Defcon5 · 18 Aug 2007 at 23:24

Slinwagh said:
Loads, Specials have all the powers thats regular officers have, PCSO's have none.

Depending of force, PCSOs have quite a lot of powers, including some that PCs dont have.

@ the OP, we have a special on our team and he is a real asset, always up for pub fights! He's only really with us a couple of saturdays a month but seems to enjoy it.

big_white_dog84 · 19 Aug 2007 at 00:04

burnsy2023 said:
Yeah but it's a totally different job isn't it? And I couldn't commit to having a tour of duty should I be needed.

The pay reflects the commitment.

Not really. My understanding is that in the specials you need to commit to at least x hours (8 IIRC) per week with no exceptions. In the RNR I turned up when I pleased. If I didn't fancy driving to the training centre after work I didn't bother.
It's true that you might get mobilised in the reserve forces, but it's not going to happen the day you join. I reckon about 30% will have been mobilised since 2003.
Money is good: 24 days a year @ ~£70 per day PLUS an annual tax free 'bounty' of £1500. Nice.

Burnsy2023 · 19 Aug 2007 at 00:08

Defcon5 said:
Depending of force, PCSOs have quite a lot of powers, including some that PCs dont have.

Such as?

Burnsy

Defcon5 · 19 Aug 2007 at 23:20

burnsy2023 said:
Such as?

Burnsy

A PC cant detain, which admittedly is irrelevent as a PC would never need to. My post was a response to the idea that PCSO's have no powers whatsoever, which is a common misconception

Slinwagh · 19 Aug 2007 at 23:23

Defcon5 said:
A PC cant detain, which admittedly is irrelevent as a PC would never need to. My post was a response to the idea that PCSO's have no powers whatsoever, which is a common misconception

A PC can detain a person for the purpose of a search.