The Police Application Thread

Burnsy2023 · 29 Apr 2009 at 10:59

Defcon5 said:
What do you mean? Once you are out of your initial training period you can put in for a basic permit, (just a fish and chip one, normal driving) then you can do a response course.

Force dependant, there can be very long waiting lists, so it may not happen for a year or so after putting in for the course

The waiting lists for even a basic driving ticket can be quite lengthy. As for response, you need to justify why you should have the course if you haven't been attached to a roads policing unit

Defcon5 · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:02

Burnsy2023 said:
The waiting lists for even a basic driving ticket can be quite lengthy. As for response, you need to justify why you should have the course if you haven't been attached to a roads policing unit

You mean an advanced driving course, rather than a response course.

platypus · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:04

Thats just one of the areas that interests me, and would it be affected by eyesight (given that I'm legally certified to drive now with only a minor prescription)?

Nathan · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:07

MWC:

Basic ticket - you get without question in the first 36 weeks of training. How else you going to get anywhere? Steal a PCSO's push bike?

Response (Blue lights) - It depends where you are based. If rural you get it instantly, if in the town's you get it within 8 months.

Advanced - Only after probation, so after 2 years and specific to role - i.e. ARV

Von Smallhausen · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:12

Burnsy2023 said:
Cheers for the info Von. Any interesting stories you want to share?

What would you like to know ?

Defcon5 · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:14

Von Smallhausen said:
What would you like to know ?

The ones you wouldnt tell when a boss is in the room

Burnsy2023 · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:15

Von Smallhausen said:
What would you like to know ?

I'm currently deveopling a mobile phone app to translate several key phrases needed by officers into about 40 different languages.

Have you ever had a time when you just couldn't get through to someone who couldn't speak English?

Defcon5 · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:17

Language line is pre-programmed into your airwave terminal

Von Smallhausen · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:20

platypus said:
Thanks. Any ideas for police driving? How does one apply for that? Or do you have to get accepted as a police officer and then apply internally?

You will automatically be put forward for a standard / response driving course at some point. I got mine within 14 months but it varies from force to force.

As for advanced driving, some forces stipulate that you have at least 4 years service before appplying.

Advanced driving is for the likes of traffic, major crime teams, special branch etc.

If you go for firearms service then you have to be an advanced driver and complete an ARV course. Last time I heard, it was about £5,000 to train an advanced driver and that is before other specialist courses such as T-Pack, Cat A escort, VIP training etc. The bosses and paymasters want to know that you can do the job first before investing considerable time and expense in the successful candidate.

Von Smallhausen · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:27

Burnsy2023 said:
I'm currently deveopling a mobile phone app to translate several key phrases needed by officers into about 40 different languages.

Have you ever had a time when you just couldn't get through to someone who couldn't speak English?

It often happens, especially with languages such as Urdu, Arabic and Polish but you just roll with it. back at the station.

I once locked up a Polish lad for smashing a pizza shop window and he didn't speak a word of English. He had to have the arrest grounds and caution explained to him by an interpeter. It often happens although I have to say that some people choose not to speak English when it is convenient.

As for the app you are working on, you may find the NPIA website interesting.

www.npia.police.uk

platypus · 29 Apr 2009 at 11:52

Right, I'm going to phone the Cambridge HQ, see when recruitment opens/if ever.

ScarySquirrel · 30 Apr 2009 at 10:32

Sorry if this has already been answered but what force are you in Von?

Tom|Nbk · 1 May 2009 at 18:16

Adding my name to the list, just passed Paper Sift at Cleveland and have PIRT on the 27th May

EDIT : That is for the Specials.

aayzof · 3 May 2009 at 18:21

for people who have been through vetting and security interviews; what sort of questions can one expect to be asked?

lixxus · 3 May 2009 at 18:33

do you get any exemptions if you are a recent university graduate. i heard you dont have to do all them comptency questions

Tom|Nbk · 3 May 2009 at 18:36

sandman06 said:
do you get any exemptions if you are a recent university graduate. i heard you dont have to do all them comptency questions

Don't think so, you can enter the police with zero qualifications and still stand as good a chance as someone who's just come out of Uni as far as I know, at least this is what most of the serving officers off policespecials.com say.

TommyTenToes · 3 May 2009 at 18:43

I'm currently in the training process to be a Special Constable with Strathclyde Police. Just joined as something to do and add to the CV while I'm at university, I guess I'll decide from my experiences whether I want to continue it in a few years time once I graduate!

It's turning out to be a great experience so far anyway, I'm learning a lot and meeting loads of new people!

Good luck to all those applying!

Burnsy2023 · 3 May 2009 at 18:46

sandman06 said:
do you get any exemptions if you are a recent university graduate. i heard you dont have to do all them comptency questions

No all applicants must do the competency questions.

Tom|Nbk · 3 May 2009 at 18:46

I'll be in training while I am at Uni aswell providing I get the PIRT sorted etc, they do the training at the Uni as well which is a bonus.

TommyTenToes · 3 May 2009 at 20:08

Mat said:
My training for the Specials involved 8 x 1hour classroom sessions (including 1 on how to use the radio), baton and cuff training and CS spray training. Thats it. We were then put with a shift, teamed up with a regular (as per every time we were on) and sent out. No ifs, no buts. Eight hours to do the same job as the regulars (allbeit on a part time basis). That's in at the deep end!

When was this? Current training for the Strathclyde Specials is 12 full days over the course of 3 months, every Sunday. All seems very intensive and thorough, really enjoying it.

One of the other guys on the training is rejoining after a couple of years out, says his application the first time round was a home visit/interview, a weekend of training then he was at the station ready to work! Not sure I'd like that too much.