Badger - I know in the Force I work in all new recruits require 2 A levels or the equivalent of. An awful lot of Police officers have degree (I do), my DH has a masters. These qualifications (at the time of joining) were not required, but certainly are taken into consideration in the joining process. Just because educational qualifications were not required does not mean anyone got in. Often there are skills much more important to doing the job.
I really do wish I didn't join the Police nearly 10 years ago, yes the pension is not bad, but I pay a considerable amount for it, but more importantly I sacrifice an awful lot each day I go into work. I miss a lot of time with my DCs due to the shifts I have to work (my hours are fixed and I no input into what I want to work as I believe a lot of nurses, particularly part time ones do), for each shift I work, most of which go over time, I work 30 minutes for free. We are expected to be in at least 20 mins each each shift, so that's nearly an hour a day I work for nothing.
I cannot begin to think of the number of times I have had things planned with my DCs on days off, to be told that I am now working that day. I have had to alter holidays due to court dates, I even had to go to court during maternity leaves.
Other people work hard and do very good jobs, though I'm not sure what other job could be compared with the police, the closest i suppose is the military due to the lack of control we have over our hours, working conditions, holidays, etc etc. (we have a leave embargo on for all the summer holidays due to the Olympics).
I have not read all of this thread but did read bits about social workers and ambulance staff being on the front line and being attached, unfortunately this does happen, but if they are in the least bit suspicious that any violence may occur they do not go into situations without police, thus transferring the threat of violence to us. The same in hospitals, the security ring us if there are any problems.
Last week I was on shift with 2 other officers - minimum manning is meant to be 12. I was the only one of the 3 of us who was immediate trained (drive on immediates), I dealt with a sudden death (& his hysterical family) a burglary, a Facebook harassment (!!), a hunt protest, a missing person (found the next day by myself & colleague hanging), along with all sorts of other bits & pieces and trying to fit in the mass of paperwork. I worked 2 hours over and my overtime was denied due to lack of funds - missed picking up DD and she then missed having her friend to play - have to accept it :(
I started my police training at the same time as a good friend started her teaching job, she takes home more per month than I do, I started on less than she did. However she doesn't get the pension I do; however I pay a lot into it, I put myself at risk for it, I sacrifice my family life for it and I also believe my health suffers for it. I know that the average police officer dies 3 years after retirement due to the stress placed on their bodies during their service, I think this has improved but not drastically.
It may not be proportionate to others pennons, but as others have said we have no say in what we get, we can't strike/threaten to strike to better our terms & conditions.