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Original poster

Are you a detective?

48 replies

Mindtheears · 19/03/2022 21:53

Just reading a Rebus novel and realised I’ve never met anyone IRL who told me that’s what they were. I know a couple of people who are/have been in the police but not detectives. There must be quite a few about though!

OP posts:

Realitea · 19/03/2022 22:40

My friend was but had to leave as it was just too much. (Mentally)
Worked her way up from a PC
She’s absolutely lovely. She must’ve seen some pretty grim stuff

SpottyStripyDuvet · 19/03/2022 22:40

My cousin is a DS and so is her DH. Her sister is married to a copper but he is about standard PC.

One of the Dad's at school is a police officer but I don't think that he is a detective.

An acquaintance is in the police and has always been quite reticent when talking about work so not sure what his actual role is.

Suddenly realised that I seem to know a lot of police!

claireymrsd · 19/03/2022 22:42

No but I work for the Police so work alongside plenty. I'm a PA to a Detective Chief Superintendent

Nicknacky · 19/03/2022 22:44

Can I just point out something, there has been a couple of posts saying “worked up” or even “standard pc”.

A DC is the same rank as a PC. Same pay, just a different role. Being a detective is not a promotion. Just a small point 🙈

claireymrsd · 19/03/2022 22:45

@Nicknacky

Can I just point out something, there has been a couple of posts saying “worked up” or even “standard pc”.

A DC is the same rank as a PC. Same pay, just a different role. Being a detective is not a promotion. Just a small point 🙈

I was just about to say the same thing. Police Constable - Detective Constable - same rank !

NotNotNotMyName · 19/03/2022 22:47

I also once knew someone who was but left and took a significant pay cut, they dealt with a whole variety of cases but the hours didn’t suit family life - I think it was all too much mentally

SeasonFinale · 19/03/2022 22:48

I have a friend who is a DCI - detective chief inspector.

Noclosure · 19/03/2022 23:27

Yes I am. Recent development from PC.
Not sure it's where I want to stay yet.

Nicknacky · 19/03/2022 23:32

@Noclosure Why is that if you don’t mind me asking?

AdaColeman · 19/03/2022 23:33

👀
👀

WorryMcGee · 19/03/2022 23:36

I was, husband still is. Nowhere near as glamorous or interesting as you might think and definitely not how it’s portrayed on TV 😂 I missed some aspects of it for a while but leaving was the best decision for me.

Noclosure · 19/03/2022 23:40

@Nicknacky it's not a move I applied for. One that was forced due to shortages in force as part of a major shake up.

It was my intention pre joining to do my min time on response and then do my Ds asap but I've changed my mind and it just isn't what I want.

I don't want a desk job at this stage and am gagging to get back out.

I'm really not enjoying the job at all, I'm in a dept with little variety in the cases. We are specialist for the same subject and it is same, same, same each day.

I was really hoping for that grab of excitement, we had a big job in the other night , nationally reported so I was hoping being involved in this would make me feel something. But still flat.

Maybe that satisfaction will come. But the lack of public facing time and being stuck inside is really getting to me.

Nicknacky · 19/03/2022 23:45

@Noclosure That’s tough if its not what you wanted to do, especially if you are desk based mainly. I’m general CID so not desk bound and waiting for an acting DS/PS role.

Only advice I can give is just to not make any rash decisions and take your time to work out what you want.

Any specialist department is so so different to uniform and it does take time to adjust.

CitrusPocket · 19/03/2022 23:49

A DC is the same rank as a PC. Same pay, just a different role. Being a detective is not a promotion.

Really didn’t know this! It always seemed in The Bill (obviously highly accurate ) that detectives were a cut above and paid more.

Nicknacky · 19/03/2022 23:52

@CitrusPocket I wish😂.

Noclosure · 19/03/2022 23:53

Thanks, I won't make rash decisions. It's a year deployment and others alongside me in this dept or others have already put in for their exams and want to stay DC.

It just really isn't what I thought it would be and I miss being front line so much.

cakebaby · 20/03/2022 07:27

I am and have been for most of my career at 3 ranks. It’s not glamorous, very long, arduous hours and generally no longer a sought after role. As a DC, yes the rank is the same however you need to take an additional law exam to qualify. There is a national shortage of circa 6000 detectives for exactly these reasons. As a result some forces took Fast Track Detective Entry candidates but I believe this has largely ceased following the introduction of PEQF.

Icequeen01 · 20/03/2022 07:31

My DH and DF were both career detectives with both being Detective Chief Inspectors. DH was on the Major Crime Unit for about 10 years.

trainnane · 20/03/2022 07:36

I work alongside some. It's long hours and painstaking work at times. Hours and hours going into minute detail on things.

CormoranStrike · 20/03/2022 07:40

I have a relative who is not a detective, but the senior legal person in the equivalent of the CPS.

Changing the region, but her dad always said she was responsible for all the murder in London!

superplumb · 20/03/2022 07:41

Yeah was for 13 years in all sorts of departments

AmbushedByCake · 20/03/2022 07:44

@Noclosure

Thanks, I won't make rash decisions. It's a year deployment and others alongside me in this dept or others have already put in for their exams and want to stay DC.

It just really isn't what I thought it would be and I miss being front line so much.

I left CID and don't regret it for a second. Hated it.

AmbushedByCake · 20/03/2022 07:46

Also having direct entry DCs, taking on serious investigations before they've ever been to a crime scene or investigated so much as a shoplifting, is a dreadful idea and a recipe for disaster.

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