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Original poster

Ds (18) wants to join the Police Force . Does anyone have any guidence for him ( us )

21 replies

bizzey · 04/03/2021 15:39

Ds ( year 13) wants to try and join the Police .
I wont bore you with the discussions we have had over the past yesr or so ..but I am really pleased he has finally got a focus on something !

It looks like there are 3 routes ?
Degree apprenticeship..
Join with UCAS POINTS..and 6 week probation .

Do the Voluntary thing and then apply .

Appologies if i have got that all wrong !

I was just wondering if anyone could help him/me ..in our next steps .

I could have posted in the Education Threads..but I know there are alot of Police People on here who might be able to advise us / him of the next steps .

Thank you .

OP posts:

Returnoftheowl · 04/03/2021 16:59

There will be 3 routes of entry:
1 - Degree apprenticeship (on the job training with coursework on the side)
2 - 3 year policing degree
3 - 2 year degree conversion course (you need to have a degree in something else to convert).
Not all constabulary's will be running all three options, so it will depend on where he wishes to apply.

Other considerations: is he willing to work weekends, nights, bank holidays? Does he understands he'll miss Christmas with his family and won't always be able to take time off when he wants?
Is he prepared for the things he will see? Deaths, violence, people in distress...
Is he prepared that some of that violence will be aimed at him?
Does he understands it is still an organisation with a rank structure... He will be excepted to follow orders and address those above him as sir/ma'am for example. If your Sgt or Insp gives you a direction it isn't a suggestion it's an order.
Is he comfortable with restrictions on his personal life? What you post (including photos) on social media, being friends with any dodgy mates etc.

That's just a quick list of the top of my head!

peak2021 · 04/03/2021 17:37

Disclaimer- I am not in the Police, none of my family ever have been.

I'd think about which Police force. They are not all the same. Finding out which is the best, or at least the ones to avoid, may be difficult though. Looking from the outside, I would never consider South Yorkshire for example.

Dkfhenzkghsm · 04/03/2021 17:39

Why does he want to do that?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Crime General education

MrsTophamHat · 04/03/2021 17:44

Good for him! No advice as such, other than to say that my husband is a police officer and really enjoys it. He didn't join until his 30s, about five years ago, but he really enjoys the variety and doing something meaningful.

binkyblinky · 04/03/2021 17:45

I was a police officer for 16 years; great career. Does your local force have a volunteer cadet unit. I strongly recommend he applies to join if there is one nearby, great experience and would look good on his application too!

binkyblinky · 04/03/2021 17:46

Here you go! Volunteer Police cadets

vpc.police.uk/

firsttimekat · 04/03/2021 17:47

Our local force offer a ride along scheme for those interested in joining or other reasons (I did it as work in the criminal justice system) was really interesting and can see it being great for those thinking of applying, the guy I did it with says it puts lots of people off applying! Presume they aren't running in covid times but might be something to look out for in the future.

MrsDThomas · 04/03/2021 17:59

Following. My DD wants to become an officer too. Then 2nd on the list is a PE teacher. For years we've watched countless motorway cops/police camera action..... and she’s still eager.

She’s already looking at which unis iffer a policing degree.

MrsDThomas · 04/03/2021 18:01

@Returnoftheowl. Is he prepared for the things he will see? Deaths, violence, people in distress...
Is he prepared that some of that violence will be aimed at him?

No one is prepared for that hence the training they give.

Returnoftheowl · 04/03/2021 18:17

[quote MrsDThomas]@Returnoftheowl. Is he prepared for the things he will see? Deaths, violence, people in distress...
Is he prepared that some of that violence will be aimed at him?

No one is prepared for that hence the training they give.[/quote]
No clearly, but training only goes so far. Some new recruits that come through are surprised at that the things we have to deal with...

Original poster

bizzey · 04/03/2021 23:04

Thank you all so much !
Need to read them all again .
Sorry i cant tag you all.

OP posts:

Original poster

bizzey · 04/03/2021 23:09

Oh ..sorry ..
I am thinking..some Volentry thing first?
Thank you .

Just dont know how to help him in this major decision.

OP posts:

Returnoftheowl · 04/03/2021 23:20

@bizzey

Oh ..sorry .. I am thinking..some Volentry thing first? Thank you .

Just dont know how to help him in this major decision.

Voluntary, as in become a Special Constable? On one hand it's good to get experience... On the other hand I know several experienced Specials who have struggled to be recruited as Regulars... After all why would they pay you to do something you're already willing to do for free? Some Specials get in, some don't, it's a mix of luck, timing and who's involved in the recruitment process.

Returnoftheowl · 04/03/2021 23:22

In my country the Cadet scheme finishes at 18 and a half (they are then encouraged to become "young leaders" for a bit) so at 18 he's probably missed the boat on cadets (our waiting list is quite long).

Stationfork · 04/03/2021 23:28

Tell him to join Bluelight recruitment support group on Facebook and watch all of his videos. The best free support out there

Returnoftheowl · 04/03/2021 23:31

@Returnoftheowl

Sorry, that should be county, not country!

superplumb · 05/03/2021 07:43

Ok, get him to join police cadets. It's safe and they mainly do things like hand out fliers, learn about safety, crime prevention,go to meetings etc. Its well disciplined and gives a slight insight to the real world of policing. I wouldn't want to put him off too much. I'm a detective and it's hard work, stressful, long hours, miss family etc...but I stay because I genuinely care about vulnerable people and getting baddies locked up. Good luck. He sounds like a great son to be proud of

SamTylerTiler · 05/03/2021 08:01

With close family and friends who are officers of all ranks and working directly with the police on a daily basis I feel semi qualified to reply. There is a lot of reverse snobbery about the degree entry but most other professions are degree education now and the police service has changed from the original concept in the 1800's so the education of police officers in the modern world reflects that. That said if someone was absolutely set on joining the police going in at 18 is still the option. I would say that the best officers I know joined in their early 20's after a degree in another subject and/or a few years in the workplace, even part time. Gave them life experience and people skills that are crucial in the role.
As mentioned earlier different areas have different policing policies but they aren't all widely different. To tarnish certain police services based on the past is unfair. Looking at their leadership and strategic plan now is a good start. Some only recruit from their local area, some recruit from far and wide. Many of my colleagues live in one force area and work in another to avoid the awkward 'hello, Billy who has a warrant out for him' in Aldi. He should look at the College of Policing website and make contact with the forces he is interested in as they often run sessions about recruitment and the support available during that process. Family member of mine attended one of these sessions (pre covid) and was allocated an experienced cop as a mentor to support them to complete the application. He will need to ensure his fitness is above where it needs to be. A cold or a niggling injury on the day of the fitness test for those just about fit enough can make them fail on the day. Good luck to him. It's a great career for the right people and if I had my time again I'd join like a shot.

SenecaTrewe · 05/03/2021 08:48

Tell him not to!

All cats are beautiful.

Original poster

bizzey · 05/03/2021 18:24

Thank you all very much for taking the time to post .
I am very grateful .

OP posts:

Lauresbadhairday · 07/03/2021 19:40

@bizzey sorry late to the thread but just wanted to say that my DS is doing a BA in Policing. He is 2nd year and loving it. He was encouraged to join Specials as this will put him above his peers when it comes to recruitment and he is pretty much guaranteed a job as a regular once he graduates. He only applied for one university as he wanted to live at home for his first year and he got a conditional offer without interview despite having no relevant experience and he was doing an extended diploma at college in Games Design at the time! Good luck to your DS.

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