Emergency Services employment...

[MolieMoo]

First time posting so please be gentle! I'm thinking of applying to become a police officer, I've considered it a long time and now they are recruiting! I have a daughter who is 18 months old and is currently in nursery 2 days a week. Anyone else in a similar position and how does it work for you? There's lots running through my mind regarding it and I've written. List of pros and cons but it would be great to hear from someone actually experiencing it! Thank you

[Finfintytint]

I joined when DS was 2 (now retired).
You have to have robust childcare arrangements in place at short notice due to constant shift changes.

[MolieMoo]

Thank you! How long in advance do you know your shift patterns?

[Finfintytint]

The shift patterns are set well in advance but events change things so your day shift may run into an evening shift as well if you have to deal with a prisoner for example. Rest days can be cancelled too if there's a major incident.
If you accept this and have a good support network, it's a great job.

[Imamam]

I was a Police Officer, joined before I was married or had kids. Like PP stated, shifts are set in advance BUT you can often get kept on for various reasons, days off cancelled, leave cancelled etc.

I left when I met my husband as I didnt want to have to rely so heavily on others if this happened, the job can be hard enough, hours long enough etc without me wanting to sacrifice more. Many people I know however stayed once they had kids, some on reduced hours, some managed full time.

You will need plenty of help with wrap around care, sometimes at short notice, if you can find this and you want to make it work you can. One I still see still works full time as a single mum of three kids with the shifts is still very happy but admits she couldnt do it with out her Dads help.

Again to back up pp it can be a great job but there will be a lot of compromise on your part but it is doable.