Is anyone or does anyone know a police officer?

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My son thinks he wants to join the police ,but he isnt sure if he should do his a'levels then join or do a degree and then join ? i personally think he would be better doing a degree first .Would like a bit of advice from those already in the force

A degree first would be beneficial because it encourages the skills that the Police would be looking for.....communication skills, problem solving, decision making,etc. A few years at Uni will help develop independance and he would probably have greater life experience than someone who is still living at home or has only just left. The Police want people who are community minded - again, he may have vast experience of volunteering or working in the community at A level age but he is more likely to gain this when a bit older. It really depends on his attitude and his confidence.

If he's not sure about what he wants to do, he could look into becoming a "Special Constable". They have the same powers&uniform as a regular officer, but serve approx 16hours a month voluntarily (unpaid), so lots of students can do it alongside a degree, and then see if it suits them. I believe a lot of forces (I'm in London, so am mostly thinking of the met police) have put a hold on recruitment for the time being, and the fastest way into being a police officer will be to have served two years as a 'special'). Definitly worth looking into, I would say, as it seems he would have best of both worlds (e.g. degree AND policing experience).

I'm not in the force but having friends that are including one that is in training at the moment and there is quite a bit of studying in the training and the application process includes assessment centres and presentations etc and the application form itself asks for examples of situations that he would have better examples for after uni.

So I would say go to uni first because it would equip him with the skills to handle the appication process and training better. Plus the shift stuff will mess with his social life so be good for him to live a bit first.

Also if he changes his mind and it's not what he thought it would be then he has something to fall back on.

Also, it can take about 1 to 2 years from application to joining at the moment insome forces so it would be prudent to apply in the last year of his degree if that what he still wants to do.

The cynical side of me also says have a second career plan as a back up as the Police is not for everyone.

Bottleofrum I have a friend who is a special with Thames Valley and being a special does not "bump you" up the list when it comes to applying for a full time position.

And there are massive freezes on recruting nationally.

The application process is a lengthy one too. Another friend has just been recruited and it has taken about three months to get the medical done and now his start date is November!.

So I would say, do the degree first.

BBM - no, being a special doesn't currently 'bump' you up the list, but the Met has put an approx 2yr freeze on recruitment, and when they start recruiting again, it will be almost certain that it will be compulsory to have at least 1 years service as a special. It is thought this will soon be followed nationwide, hence getting an application in to be a special now WHILST doing a degree might end up being v useful, IYSWIM!

Thats brilliant thankyou everyone ,at least it gives him an idea ,i think doing some time as a special is an excellent idea , kind of work experience ,plus as youve said if he decides it isnt for him then he can use his degree for something else . Wonder what sort of degree they are looking for ?

mt friends route into the police was to join the british transport police and do her 2 yrs probation , then she is eligable to transfer to forces that are recruiting.. she did have a degree first but thats because she changed careers.. my husband joined at 19, without a degree, just a levels.. he is now a chief inspector..

although i think things have changed now and a degree is useful and some people are accelerated through the ranking system because they have studied..
hope this helps

If a degree is just going to be an expensive stop gap then a decent job and voluntary work would be just as good. My cousin has just got in aged 22. He got mediocre A-levels and didn't want to do a degree because he knew he wouldn't get into a decent uni so he thought he'd just get into debt for little point. He got a job at M&S and after a few weeks they put him on the management training scheme. He did 6 months on that alongside being a special and working in kids sports coaching and then got a job as a PCSO for 2 and a half years. He took a while to pass the maths test but is now in the regular force. He has no debt and is in as good a position as those entering with degrees.