The Police Application Thread

Soldato
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Yes. You generally won't be considered for any specialist roles until you've done at least two years service and are out of your probationary period.

Which is a shame - why not have a direct entree scheme into SB, CID etc if individuals have experience from other roles? CivPol are waking up to this fact and are taking direct to ranks of Inspector and Superintendent, so why not into specialist roles?

I for one, would relish a specialist role in CivPol, but not at the cost of 2 years probation, especially not at my age!
 
Soldato
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No, they didn't, and that 's not the sort of thing that would suit my nephew anyway. I was looking for a one-off experience for him.

Ah right, that's a bit of a shame. I suspect it's just more practical and a better use of time and resources to engage with schools, youth groups etc than have one day with just one person.

Which is a shame - why not have a direct entree scheme into SB, CID etc if individuals have experience from other roles? CivPol are waking up to this fact and are taking direct to ranks of Inspector and Superintendent, so why not into specialist roles?

Two different cases there really. Specialist roles still require you to first and foremost be a police officer, and the probationary period is where you're given the time to train, learn, make mistakes, and hone your skills. Direct entry into a department that requires experience, additional training demands and is already staffed by experienced officers would be incredibly challenging. It also wouldn't necessarily be fair on those who are working their way up as recruits.
 
Soldato
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But the civilian police offer DE to Insp and Super - ie civilian straight off the streets to that rank and appointment (albeit they should already hold a managerial role). They do a stint on the streets (a few weeks?) and after the remainder of their training they are into their role. At the end of the training you will be a copper/warrant card holder.

http://recruit.college.police.uk/Of...endent/Pages/Direct-Entry-Superintendent.aspx

What i mean is, say for example a member of the Military Police SIB or SB. 20 years experience, but they are still expected to do 2 years on the beat. Or for example a MI5 agent - perfect for CivPol SB and years of working in a similar environment in the interests of National Security - any fast track? Nope, 2 years on the beat.

As for being fair, when is life fair? Surely best person for the position?
 
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Soldato
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But the civilian police offer DE to Insp and Super - ie civilian straight off the streets to that rank and appointment (albeit they should already hold a managerial role). They do a stint on the streets (a few weeks?) and after the remainder of their training they are into their role. At the end of the training you will be a copper/warrant card holder.

http://recruit.college.police.uk/Of...endent/Pages/Direct-Entry-Superintendent.aspx

But there's also a lot of debate over direct entry for people entering those roles without any police experience and many in the police don't agree with it. That being said, when you're at those sorts of ranks your ability as a "police officer" becomes secondary to your abilities as a manager and leader.

What i mean is, say for example a member of the Military Police SIB or SB. 20 years experience, but they are still expected to do 2 years on the beat. Or for example a MI5 agent - perfect for CivPol SB and years of working in a similar environment in the interests of National Security - any fast track? Nope, 2 years on the beat.

Yes, but those "two years on the beat" are an important element of being a police officer, even when transitioning from military or security services. If someone from those sorts of backgrounds decides they want a change of career, there are often plenty of civilian options available.
 
Soldato
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But there's also a lot of debate over direct entry for people entering those roles without any police experience and many in the police don't agree with it. That being said, when you're at those sorts of ranks your ability as a "police officer" becomes secondary to your abilities as a manager and leader.

I never said it was right to go direct into such a high appointment, merely that it is happening (and i'm with you on this, those at the top should have experience of what is happening at ground level).


Yes, but those "two years on the beat" are an important element of being a police officer, even when transitioning from military or security services. If someone from those sorts of backgrounds decides they want a change of career, there are often plenty of civilian options available.

But why 2 years? Why not 12 months, 6 months etc? Certainly have an appreciation and understanding, but really? 2 years?

As for going civilian, that does seem the way forward - Government saves on police pension and salary and giving a not so generous civilian package usually to an experienced ex-police officer!
 
Soldato
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But why 2 years? Why not 12 months, 6 months etc? Certainly have an appreciation and understanding, but really? 2 years?

6 months can't really be considered enough time to gain an appreciation and understanding of being a police officer, though. Someone on direct entry into a specific rank and role would also have limited ability to broaden their career scope beyond that because they'd lack experience and skills related to actual policing.

As for going civilian, that does seem the way forward - Government saves on police pension and salary and giving a not so generous civilian package usually to an experienced ex-police officer!

Most police staff are civilians, not ex-police. You say it's the way forward but realistically, there are huge numbers of roles within police forces that could be done by civilians but are occupied by police officers due to various reasons. It's easier and cheaper to move police officers around and create roles for them than it is to recruit and pay a new member of staff.
 
Caporegime
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6 months can't really be considered enough time to gain an appreciation and understanding of being a police officer, though. Someone on direct entry into a specific rank and role would also have limited ability to broaden their career scope beyond that because they'd lack experience and skills related to actual policing.

But he seems to be making a reasonable point - if it is 2 years on the beat for direct entrants with no prior experience and there are others who actually have significant relevant experience (his examples were 20 years as military police or experience in the security service) - by maintaining that the same 2 years are required then you're essentially just ignoring their prior experience.
 
Soldato
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But he seems to be making a reasonable point - if it is 2 years on the beat for direct entrants with no prior experience and there are others who actually have significant relevant experience (his examples were 20 years as military police or experience in the security service) - by maintaining that the same 2 years are required then you're essentially just ignoring their prior experience.

But military policing or working in intelligence isn't the same as civilian policing, their prior experience would be taken into account as would their relative lack of experience being an actual police officer, which is rather important if you're going to equip someone with police powers. On the other hand, direct entry as a civilian at levels equivalent or greater to their current role would exist and would be a more straightforward transition.
 
Caporegime
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But how are you taking it into account if you believe that a blanket 2 year on the beat experience is required regardless of prior experience - in that instance it isn't taken into account
 
Soldato
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But by your logic it is acceptable to make a civilian a senior officer with a warrant card and police powers (even more so as they will be directing police action) with limited beat time, but you say this is unacceptable for others despite many years working in similar fields?

I have not seen many SB officers on Friday, Saturday night town patrols, nor have i seen many of them dealing with burglaries, kicking in doors on drug/criminal raids etc.

I'm all for a ground appreciation/awareness as per the direct entry scheme, but i feel they would have wasted 2 years when ie 6 months would suffice and then they could focus on their CT role etc whilst being mentored by their section.

Just an opinion.
 
Soldato
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Got my Senior Interview for Kent Police this week, first time I've been nervous in a long time!

Good luck mate, I joined Kent back in August, so the advice I would give you for your interview (if you haven't had it already) is familiarise yourself with Kent's Mission, Vision, Values and Priorities - all can be found on this page https://www.kent.police.uk/about-us/information-about-us/mission-and-vision. Also make sure you remind yourself of the examples you gave in your application as you will likely have some questions surrounding the core competencies as well.
 
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