999 what's yr emergency...why would anyone want to be a police officer??

[ggirl]

it seems like arguments and dealing with people 'kickin off' all the time?

could not do that job !

[VivaLeBeaver]

I'd like to do it. But a serious injury at 18 meant I couldn't join up, that and shit eyesight. I was a cadet for 2 years, loved it.

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

I am calm in critical situations, but by god I would knock some of them out. I couldnt do that job. Would love to be a paramedic but due to my dodgy back I doubt I can.

[ggirl]

I'd hate to be a paramedic , too many drunks.

[BertieBotts]

I'd quite like to be a police officer. I don't think people kicking off would bother me when I knew I could just call upon a couple of other officers to help me do that ninja thing where they twist their arm and then pin them to the floor

Am rubbish at confrontation though. Have a vague dream/idea that if I joined the police I would somehow manage to learn this through sheer force of will. (And maybe training!)

Now, paramedic, that's something I could never do or be a firefighter .

[ggirl]

it's the relentless drunken violence that would depress me

[PartyFops]

I don't wear enough make up to be a Police Officer. Plus I would run and hide as soon as someone became aggressive.

Can't believe that heavily made up officer was driving and putting lippy on at the same time. Driving without due care and attention surely?

[vigglewiggle]

Party I noticed that and was mortified!

You must remember that these sort of TV programs will have recorded hours and hours of 'dull' footage of officers helping decent members of the public and doing paperwork. They only show the dramatic bits. We don't fight with someone on every shift unless we are doing something wrong!

To answer the OP's question - I wanted to investigate things and lock-up the baddies. I really enjoy my job even when dealing with sad individuals like tonight's program highlighted!

[butisthismyname]

I couldn't be a paramedic. I would be screeching my head off at the idiots who get pissed and call 999 because of their own stupidity.
My DH works in forensics - there are hundreds of graduates in this every year thinking it's a dead glam CSI type existance but he comes home having been fairly bored most days The odd dead body from an exciting'case' really is rare!
Said millions of grads also keep the pay down :(

[ThatVikRinA22]

its not all its cracked up to be....

cant quite work out what id rather be though. so for now....

[brighthair]

Yeah, they did film for hours and hours. So pleased they showed a colleague being sworn at on the programme... Was waiting for that

[ThatVikRinA22]

oh....and Mr Windsor....its defo not for the bloody pay or conditions. cheers!

from next year, we will be working Xmas day for nothing. a day back, no enhanced pay.
who else in their right mind works xmas day for nothing more than a day back? and we are not going to be able to retire until 60....ill be chasing these idiots down on a zimmer then shall i....


promise. off for a

the reality is what you see - its a rum job.

[vigglewiggle]

Have you had a rough day Vicar?

[VivaLeBeaver]

Vicar, is that for current coppers as well, the retirement age going up?

Nhs pension age is now linked to state retirement age for anyone who started from 2008 and onwards. So currently that's 67. Can't see me coping on labour ward at 67.

[ThatVikRinA22]

im ok now viggle. i have its a seriously odd job. on the one hand i love the aspect that is helping people - some jobs are very very satisfying,
other aspects are just heatbreaking and its a rather thankless job most of the time,
getting called names doesnt bother me at all, but going to stabbings single crewed with no back up cos numbers have been decimated bothers me, i never feel safe.

[timetosmile]

DH becoming entertainingly aggrieved:-

"Think about the taxpayers money...."

"Leave'em on the pavement in their own vomit..."

"Where are the police dogs?!"

"Water cannons, WATER CANNONS...."

Think he's warming up for the Jimmy Saville thing later.....

[VivaLeBeaver]

My sil is in her 40s and says she's only a couple of years off retirement. Though she said that last year, she'll be gutted if she's got to do another 15 years.

[ThatVikRinA22]

yep viva - when the windsor proposals from part 2 get brought in that will be for all current coppers - most will have to work much longer to get the same pension.
i dont honestly think the powers that be understand what a toll this work takes on body and soul....shift work, long hours, physically and mentally demanding job, i have no idea how they expect us to be front line at 60.

[ThatVikRinA22]

...on a lighter note, i have

as you were.

[vigglewiggle]

Vicar it is getting more difficult, that's for sure.

Viva - as it stands, those with less than 10 years left will be protected (because the officers who negotiated the terms virtually all have less than 10 years left ).

[ThatVikRinA22]

it can be the most satisfying job in the world and the funniest.....there are times i have had such a laugh.

i wait for the day i feel safe doing it though and my crime list stresses the hell out of me....

its a love hate relationship at the mo....when it becomes more hate than love i will bow out.

[ChristmasKate]

I'm ex ambulance service, shuch fond memories of being called a cunt and hoping my mum dies of cancer.

All from the safety of a phone line and I was mainly eating take away at 2am.

Massive respect to those still out on the road, no one appreciated the shit they went through on a daily basis. We had bad days in control, nothing worse than hearing the raw screams of help when a mother or father finds there baby not breathing and in desperate need of help.

[ThatVikRinA22]

i was slightly aghast at big haired bright lippied bobby.....i am very girly but even i draw the line at bright lippy for work! and my hair is tied up....too much temptation for someone to grab hold of and pull.....

[Shesparkles]

I couldn't do it. I'm a police dispatcher and fortunately only have to deal with,the idiots on the phones. Not a day goes by when I don't say to a cop "couldn't do your job". They really are fab. :)

[gymboywalton]

i love this programme-it's very very interesting

i'll tell you what though-i won't be going to blackpool if i can help it!!!

[Viperidae]

I couldn't cope with the confrontation, I'm too much of a scaredy cat and the one person attending alone would scare the shit out of me.