AIBU to consider a career as a police detective

[NotInspectorPoirotYet]

I think it sounds like a interesting, rewarding and challenging job but I'm worried about whether it's really compatible with family life? Any detective's with primary school aged children out there? How do you find it?

At the moment I do a job that I find some what uninspiring but that is well paid and with a reasonable work life balance, 40 hours + commute but no real overtime or unsociable hours.

Don't you have to be a police officer first, before transferring to CID?

It’s also a case of can you manage the years leading up to a police detective?

No you can apply for direct entry now if you are a graduate

One of my friends left CID, for what it it’s worth. For some people it’s comparable, others it’s not.

Did she find the hours too long?

I fancy this too. Don't know that I'd really do it, but it's a nice idea. I'm a qualified secondary science teacher but been a SAHM for the last 12 years. If I return to work, I fancy the police force.

Im a detective, have been for 8 years. If you want my professional opinion, just as a police constable, learn your trade and then apply.

Qualifications mean nothing in a role like CID or child protection, etc.

Join as a PC, not “just”. I hate typing on the iPad.

Agree with Nicknacky. I work in CID. I don’t know if a single officer who thinks direct entry to CID is a good idea, except in very specific roles eg financial investigation if someone has lots of experience in that area.

You learn the job as a PC. And it’s great fun!

FATEdestiny, honestly I just keep thinking is this it? Am I just going to do my current job until I retire or could there be a more interesting and worthwhile alternative. I have also thought about teaching but it just doesn't feel right.

But I also know I would be unhappy in any job where I couldn't see my kids. Working hard for about 40 hours a week (or a bit longer with a shortish commute) would be fine though, because that's what I am doing already.

Things must have changed, because I know (having worked for more than one police constabulary), that every police officer began as a constable, in police training school.

I'm not sure how you could go straight in as a detective without knowing the basics that you'd learn as a constable.

If you are worried about the working hours, then it’s not for you.

It’s only the met allowing direct entry. After years of not allowing it. Stop and consider why this is - because no uniformed officers want to do the role. So they are bringing in people who don’t know any better

Also agree re hours!

Blind Greater Manchester Poluce have just announced they are doing it too. Think maybe a couple of others too

My father is a police detective and we were actually having a conversation about this the other day.

He started at the bottom and worked his way up. He's worked in the police since he was a teen.

He and his colleagues believe direct entry positions are a really terrible idea.

It's a hard job, you need the experience. Join as a PC.

Coldilox, Nicknacky, Do you think people in CID would be sceptical of someone who joined directly?

I would have some really useful skills that could be applied to financial investigations or cyber crime from my current career. But my understanding is that everyone who gets in will start with 2 years of general crime investigation before being able to specialise.

And how do you find it? Is it a job you would recommend?

There is also forces doing direct entry for inspectors. Also a ridiculous idea.

I've been a detective in various CID departments for over 10 years. "Civilian investigators" have been introduced over the past few years, some are very good , some not so good, I agree with PP that without having done some time as a frontline PC you will never understand the sharp end of the job, this causes some rub when well meaning civilians judge situations that they never had to personally encounter, reading the statements later is not the same.
The hours are long. As a police detective leaving work less than 2 hours late is considered leaving on time. Out of a 6 day set of shifts (8 or 9 hour shifts) at least a couple of those will end up being 14 hour shifts, and for police the 11 hour gap between shifts isn't a thing, if you finish work after midnight because you've been late off dealing with a job, you're are expected to be back by 8am for morning briefing. They can't enforce this on the civilian investigators but they are expected out of good will to follow suit. The ones that don't (rightly or wrongly) are thought less of.
It is an interesting job, but it's still finding its feet I think, certainly within the force I work for. You can make it work with children so long as you have good emergency child care that you can regularly rely upon.

Nickynack we have a few of those. They do not have great reputations!

I'm thinking of volunteering as a special to initially get a feel for the "trade". Is this is good idea or is going straight to PC better?

Bear in mind I am 42, so not young!

Honestly? Nope, not a chance. PC’s and DC’s wouldn’t give them the time of day in my opinion.

If you have skills, then join and use them whilst at the same time build additional skills that would make you a great DC.

I love it. I wouldn’t do any other job, but it’s all consuming.

Surely people who have started at the bottom so to speak really dislike people joining straight into CID?

Oh we have an overtime ban just now, it’s great as it means we are almost guaranteed to finish on time. It never lasts though.

The met has haemorraged detectives recently, hence the direct entry scheme as well as a large one off cash incentive and writing to recently resigned/ retired colleagues begging them to return.

If steady working hours are a must for child care you may struggle, you can't walk away from a live case saying " I'll pick it up in the morning"

It can be a wonderful and fulfilling job. It can also be a nightmare.

Speak to a police officer before any commitments