Joining the Police Force

[PaulB]

Hi there

OK, I'm thinking of joining the Police Force.

I would like to know if anyone can help what the normal course of action is, I have phoned the recruitment line who say that the recruitment day is 3rd Jan.

I;ve heard that the plan is that you go to uni for 4-5 weeks but don't know much more than that - does anyone know the starting wage etc... and any more info?

Many thanks

[Pea Pod]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/crime/law/becomingapolice officer.shtml

[Yorkie580]

Which Force are you interested in?

[PaulB]

Thanks for that Pea Pod, very helpful cheers.

Yorkie, West Sussex Force

[Yorkie580]

I'm sure you've seen this but here's the Sussex Site.

http://www.sussex.police.uk/recruitment/pc_mai n.asp

Training from Force to Force differs but it's becoming more common for a short 5 week theory and street skills course prior to extended on-the-job training with tutor constables which includes continuation legislation training.

This site is a national site which gives info about the job and questions/scenarios to assess how you'd approach different situations...

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/officers/overv iew.html

Initial pay is about �20500 pa but dependant on your location you may get more in allowances.

Why not contact your local station and see if they'll let you go out for a shift with some officers - I did that before I joined and really enjoyed it.

If you go for it, good luck. You'll work with some great people and see things you'd never see anywhere else - just be prepared for the downside of the job too though - it's not, by any means, non-stop action and fun - but I've enjoyed it and still do. As long as you have more good days than bad then it's worth continuining with it.

[dinger128]

Depending on the force training policy you may have 12 weeks initial training at either a Centrex national Police training centre or in house training at your force training centre.

It's a hard and demanding job and requires a lot of effort, especially in the early years when there is a lot of pressure on you to perform.

Saying that though, you see a completely different side to life and experience things a lot of the public will never see.

It's a great job and can't recommend it as a career enough.