well, just what sort of things does the application process entail, fitness levels, whether my eyesight will be an issue, I'll have to try and read through the entire thread at some point.
but just after basic info like starting wage, and what options would be open to me, like dog unit, firearms, mounted units etc
that's a lot of info mac! haha. Most of your answers can be found within this thread, but I'll try and answer certain things for you;
The application stage differs upon each force which you apply for. There is not one Universal application process. Each force likes to mix it up a bit.
My application process consisted of: Go to an open evening, chat to police offers, view a DVD, get more info and an Application Pack. Fill in the application which (basics of name, address, qualifications etc) and also the paper sift questions (10 questions, first 4 questions are exam type questions which are broken down, other 6 are your standard "why do you want to be a policeman etc").
The next stage is the assessment centre, which for me was 2/3 written responces to general queries from a fake shopping centre mamnager and members of the public. A verbal interview, a maths test, a logic test and 4 role plays.
After that, I had a physical, then a medical, then uniform fitting, drugs test, hearing test, eye test and intensive vetting (not all in that order though!).
Your eyes are important within the job obviously, but it is possible for you to join with glasses and laser corrected sight (exact guidelines check out the
www.policecouldyou.co.uk website).
Fitness levels are quite low for what the job entails. Obviously the fitter the better. Once you join as a constable, you'll have to pass 5.4 for a lot of the police forces in the UK, you also have to do a push and a pull test. Check out your individual force though as some do assault courses etc. After your 9 months training and two years probation you can diversify if a place comes up to one of the other units (dog handlers, firearms etc). These are hard to get into as a lot of people want these types of roles. You have to follow an application process to get into these, as well as another fitness test (I think firearms is around the level 10 on the bleep test).
Again wage differs, so check out the site again, but you'll be on 20+k a year for the first 9 months, then once qualified you'll gain a nice little jump.
