Uniformed Public Services BTEC

[NunsArePeopleTooDougal]

Does anyone know whether this course is a realistic route of joining the police? I was speaking to my mother earlier today and my younger sister wants to do it when she finishes her GCSEs, as she doesn't think that A Levels are for her. I've had a look on a few websites, including TSR, and there doesn't seem to be much information about it. The information that I have found isn't exactly glowing with praise about it either.
We'd just like to know what the course is like and whether people think that it's a worthwhile thing to do, as she still has plenty of time to make up her mind. (She's only in Y10 at the moment).
Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

I would ask the school/college that you are thinking off about the leavers destinations, and see what that throws up.

Round where I live, none of the 3 police forces I am near seem to recruit 18 year olds. I have done occasional teaching at regional police training centre, and most of the recruits used to be in their mid to late 20s.
Most either were either graduates or had been PCSOs.

This was a couple of years ago mind as none of the forces have recruited recently due to the cuts.

Thank you for replying, I will speak to my sister and see what she thinks. I did think that it would be unlikely that a police force would recruit someone straight out of college, so perhaps more the more traditional route of A Levels and a degree would be better.

My secondary school has done this course for the last two years and it has proved popular with pupils looking to either go into police, fire or the armed services. It has certainly be well liked and received by the pupils but I suspect it is too early to tell whether having done the course will prove to have been an advantage when it comes to getting into the police as they do need to be in their 20s before they can apply.

Hi NunsArePeopleTooDougal,
This course has always appealed to the sort of student who enjoys outward-bound activities and isn't terribly academic, but I've always had my reservations about it.
As the other contributors have said, it is all but impossible to access the police at 18, straight from school or college, so I would say no, it's not a realistic route of joining the police. In fact, apart from a good basic education, it is usually personal qualities and a mature outlook that would be more useful. Your sister can gain relevant public-service experience through other part-time activities - everything from serving in a shop, Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, Guides/Scouts, cadet forces, marshalling for events etc.
In terms of her choices after Year 11, anything that she chooses could lead to a career in the police. Yes, she could do A levels, but she could instead study a different vocational course e.g. Business, to give her a first job at 18, or that could lead onto a university course.
Alternatively, she could get an apprenticeship in a completely different career area and still apply to the police in her 20s.
For info on careers with the police, see: www.policecouldyou.co.uk/index.html

I think it's very important, whatever she does, to look at what she will do while waiting to get into the police and to look at the police as something that might happen at some point in the future but not something she can pursue in isolation. She'll need fulfilment outside of that dream I suspect. DH joined years ago and had 2 and a half years between application and joining. SIL passed everything 3 years ago and waited for a start date. After 2 years of waiting she was told she would have to apply and start again which she is in the process of doing atm but it's taken 7 months so far from applying and she's still in the system. She's working in antisocial behaviour management for her local council which is a good introduction to some of the issues she will deal with once in. She has become a special constable in the meantime to maximise her chances. Locally they haven't had an intake of new coppers for a long, long time and those intakes they do have consist of PCSOs transferring and special constables. DH has been in for years and can't think of a single 18yo who has joined or recently, anybody who isn't already working for the service in some capacity already.

Do you know any police officers she can talk to who can offer her some honest, open advice, perhaps give her the opportunity to go and see what modern policing involves? It's a smashing job in lots of ways but it is a way of life. They talk about the police family and they do that for a reason. It takes over.

It seems to me that the Police should recruit graduates as the work they do now is intellectually demanding. I would think a good graduate with appropriate work experience might stand a chance if the Police ever recruit again! I think the BTEC course is not what anyone is looking for, but may accept with other qualifications and experience. I think good grades in this BTEC allows the school to look good.

I think it's the sort of qualification to get because it's fun & valid in itself, not as a sure entry to any particular career.

Although my force is recruiting they are only accepting people who have had a link to the police family, i.e. specials, PCSOs, support staff, etc. there are some younger people but not many (or maybe they just look younger nowadays ).

Scurryfunge. I actually think the recruitment policy of your force is not appropriate as it is highly likely they are not getting the best candidates for the job by excluding others from outside the "family". Sounds like the Mafia! Experience of policing and police admin is not, and should never be, the sole criteria for appointment. Looking outside for outstanding candidates should be an important part of recruiting a police officer, especially as we need a high calibre of recruit, not just those on the inside.

I totally agree but I suspect it saves money on certain aspects of the training. That said, it is not given that they will be recruited purely because they apply - they still have to meet the criteria.

Each force sets its own entry criteria. My local force require a year's voluntary work as a special and had started requesting applicants take the Certificate in Policing Knowledge, cost around £1000, at their own expense - although I understand this requirement may now have been abandoned.

The BTEC in Public Services is not necessary but if the course includes relevant work experience and links with local forces it may be useful. As others have said, though, it is unusual for an 18 year old to go straight into the police because they don't usually have enough relevant experience.

Your sister should check with local forces.

This tells you what the units are

My son decided to do a public services course to get into university to do law or criminology instead of doing A Levels, to eventually get a job with the police. Please does anyone have any experience of this course and can suggest anything my son age 16 can do along this course to help his chances of achieving his goal. I would have personally preferred him to do A levels. Thank you.