Advice for aspiring police detective

105 replies

Tangotwister · 06/02/2023 20:50

DS is at Cambridge, reading History, and wants to join the Met Police when he graduates (not for 2 years) on their detective graduate entry pathway. He is absolutely committed and won’t be talked out of it (to the extent that he hasn’t got a plan B if the police don’t take him!). Can anyone advise what work experience he should seek to get in the Uni holidays to enhance his CV? Internships in the corporate world etc don’t really cut it!

OP posts:

Reflecting23 · 25/04/2023 14:25

Xenia · 25/04/2023 12:26

My children have a cousin who went ito the police (not in London ) after a law with criminology degree (I think it was). My recollection was that weirdly despite he being very good (never mind very tall!!!!) was he was rejected a few times despite doing that voluntary police thing - cannot remember the name, he had done it for years. Anyway after a year or 2 after graduating he WAS accepted. I found it very strange they did not snap him up right away. He is very happy and likes the work.

That is very strange. My son got in with A levels. But he's doing the apprenticeship so maybe that's why . Glad he likes it

Newnamenewme23 · 25/04/2023 16:34

Xenia · 25/04/2023 12:26

The police entry/applications/interviews have a technique to them.

tbh degrees etc are irrelevant for entry. As long as you meet basic entry requirements degree holders don’t have an advantage- they must still get the required scores etc. where it will help is once in for promotions.

as I said this is why it’s not unusual for senior officers to offer mentorship through the process.

there’s a formula to the application form, and a technique to the interviews. They don’t “snap people up” based on previous degree or even employment history- you’re scored on how well you evidence that you have the required skill set during interview.

it does take practice, and it’s not unusual for people to take a few goes to hit that formula. It’s a bit like doing practice papers for exams, once you know the format and what’s expected, you’re more likely to do well.

obviously there are pros and cons to this system, but it’s intended to make sure everyone has an equal chance at interview, and selection isn’t based on an interviewers bias or favouritism as much as possible.

Xenia · 25/04/2023 18:29

That's interesting. I did hear it second hand from his mother so may be there was some other reason he had to have a few tries at getting accepted and it was all fine in the end.
(That sounds similar to my work - law - that firms do try very very hard to have an objective set of tests these days so everyone can compete as fairly as possible).

Swansandcustard · 29/04/2023 00:10

On my FB feed this evening

Michaelmonstera · 29/04/2023 14:53

Reflecting23 · 23/04/2023 13:02

My son has only just completed a year of policing . So yes he is new . He's the most caring person I know he has lots of empathy and understanding even though be is young . He had seen some colleagues that do have a chip on their shoulder and very unapproachable. Which should not be the case . Hopefully the younger generation can change that . But I just wanted to point out they are not all bad .

This describes my son, a graduate detective in the Met for 18 months. These people are the change that the Met needs.

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