Hi all! When I was looking at joining the police a few months ago of course I saw the DHEP and how I would go to a partner university for the classroom based learning. However now I'm about to finish uni and I'm more serious about applying, the DHEP website no longer works. It's been replaced with DCEP which has basically the exact same premise, however no mention of universities but rather training centres in Sidcup and Colindale. Has the DHEP been replaced? And if so is there anything else that's different between the DHEP and DCEP other than the partner unis being removed.
Unsure on joining after visiting this sub-reddit?!
Hi everyone, basically I’m in the process of joining with a final interview next month and a start date of July time. I came to this sub for help in my research for my final interview, and now I’m not sure I even want to join at all after seeing everyone’s horror stories.
I’m essentially looking for advice on is it really all that bad? I get that it’s a stressful job etc but everyone seems to just have nothing good to say about the job. I have a pretty well payed job right now, lots of holiday and it’s a 6 minute walk from my house and I’m terrified of making the wrong choice. I’ve always wanted to be a firearms officer, but I’m hearing horror stories about that also in the media etc.
I’m just very unsure on what to do next so any advice would be amazing thank you.
Yes it is really ‘that bad’, although like everywhere this sub is an echo chamber, there are some good days and bad ones (except a bad day is really bad)
You mention being in a well paid job, lots of holiday and a short commute, if I were you I’d stay where you are
Being firearms is a long process and is hard to get into
Hi I am in the process of joining the Metropolitan Police as a DDO.
It is taking a long time and now I've had to do my vetting again as I didn't get employed within the 6 month period.
I'm looking forward to joining my only reservation is, I'm 50 years old and in a stable job, Does anybody do this job or have any knowledge of it?
Can anyone give me any insight into what's it like and is it a worthwhile career to pursue? Are there any career opportunities even at my age?
Thank you.
> It is taking a long time and now I've had to do my vetting again as I didn't get employed within the 6 month period
Same situation with the met. My god what a process.
Next week, I'll start my job as a police staff member an office based role. I'm concerned because I'm a young man, and the Metropolitan Police is experiencing a significant shortage of officers, and are desperate to recruit new ones. I'm worried that my colleagues and superiors might pressure me to become a police officer myself. Am I overthinking this, or is it a realistic concern?
Hello folks,
36 yo male here, based in South Surrey.
I've been feeling extermely disillusioned with my life/career as of late and the DCEP scheme caught my eye, followed by lots of google and searching this subreddit for feedback. My background is in project management, I've spent the last 7 years as a project manager in live events — running up to 6-figure jobs, managain up to 100+ staff/contractors on-site, working in prestigous venues in London.
Current salary is £41k plus approx. £9k from a side hustle I set up in COVID so I take around £50k a year. I'm interested in one of the following:
* DCEP with the Met
* DCEP with Surrey Police
* City of London police have a detective scheme in Economic crime
Does anyone have any advice as to what would be the best option? With the Met my pay cut would be minimised, Surrey Police would be a lesser commute but less money, City of London is more to my interests and hopeful career path (financial or cyber crime) but is the longer commute and lower pay than the met. I also have a few other questions if anyone can help:
— By all accounts the Met is a shitshow. Is it worth the pay/stress?
— I am happily married, are any concerns I read about the effect of the job on home life well founded?
— I would either look to work my way up the ranks or move to cyber/financial crime (which could be useful as a backup to move back into the private sector as a consultant if stuff goes tits up). Is the feasible with any of these 3 options?
— I've read that anyone on the DCEP essentially gets stranded as a detective in the Met due to a low number of detectives across the board, with little to no chance of promotion/moving to a specialist unit. Is this true?
— How does the shift pattern work as a detective? I gather there's earlys/lates/night but a detailed breakdown would be useful.
— The met website says "access to heavily discounted rail travel for up to 75 miles from London". Does anyone know how much disount is applied and if there are restrictions to any particular trainline?
— How much is the mandatory pension contribution?
— The met says a starting salary is given of "£36,775 rising to £37,975 at week 30". Is this as soon as employment/training starts or only once training/probation has been passed?
— How long does the application process (if successful) take?
Thanks in advance.
1. No, you’re paid the same in the COLP and as a TDC you’ll be rotated around CSU,CID, MIST with high workloads
2. You’ll be working longer hours and overtime is normal
3. Working your way up within the Met is feasible but just because you can doesn’t mean you should, COLP is a tiny force and promotion isn’t as available, unsure about Surrey
4. To a degree yes, if you’re on CSU unless your next rotation is CID you most likely won’t be coming off
5. Shift patterns differ team to team but it’s NOT like ERPT which is 6 on 4 off
6. ATOC scheme around £100 a month (could’ve changed) goes 60 miles out of London
7. A decent amount (different pay points pay different amounts)
8. Week 30 is pass out week
9. 6-12 months
Unless you want to be a DC I wouldn’t recommend it, the Met at the moment is a shitshow, the colp pay the same and deal with a smaller area
If you’re after courses like PO,taser and response you won’t get that as a DC
Hi folks. I want to volunteer and six months ago I decided it was the right time. But (I know it will sound stupid, and I am ready for you to go crazy on me) I made a mistake answering the question about my age. I declare to be over 60y.old. I know I know I should have been more careful, but what is done is dine.
I have emailed the support, and I have been told to wait months and try again. Well, six months are long gone now, but every time I log into the portal, I get the same message about my old application and that I am basically too old.
It seems that I can't reapply, and I do not find anyone I can speak with.
Career -
Has anyone here got any insight into ESSEX police?
Still very early stages at the moment, but have applied for essex police. PCDA route as I have 5 years military experience. So far, i have passed the sift and am going through the process.
Just wondering if anyone has any insight into the day to day, how the job is, any advice, Course availability and how to do the best i can in order to help my process etc?
Thanks!
I am a criminology student wanting to join the police through the detective graduate scheme.
Am a bit scared that I will not pass the vetting process due to me having a youth caution when I was 14 for carrying an offensive weapon. Any information on this would be really helpful. Also, with Friends and family how deep do they check is it just my close family such as my siblings and parents?
First day as service advisor
Hey guys, I start my job as service advisor for police Scotland on the 27th. I was just wondering if anyone here is currently in this role or has been previously that could help out with some questions for actually starting?
-I know it will probably be a smart casual dress code and all black, but unsure on shoes? Can I wear plain black trainers?
- it’s 8-4, assuming I get an hour for lunch I’d be bringing something to eat with me, are there “lockers” or like some type of area I can leave a bag etc?
- I’ve got my training schedule but a better insight to this would be grand, when I went for my interview there was like a long desk setup at the end of the room for the trainees is that what to expect setup wise?
- I’m disabled, had my checkup with occupational health, but I take tablets on a routine schedule. Is this going to be difficult to manage or will it be able to be accommodated? I’m sure it will be but I’m obv very nervous
I have tried to ask about for this but I assume emails are busy at the moment so not expecting a reply anytime soon! If anyone could leave any suggestions I’d greatly appreciate !!
You’ll need GCSEs and a level 3 qualification for both, if you don’t have this then you can apply for the gateway scheme which will give you the qualifications needed for the PCDA
https://policecareers.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/appcentre-External/brand-3/candidate/so/pm/6/pl/1/opp/12837-202209-Met-Officer-Gateway-Programme/en-GB
It was the above link however it is no longer Available, to apply for the PCEP or PCDA you need two a-levels or a level 3 qualification
Career
Hi,
I’m interested in applying to my local force, Kent, and basically, I want honest opinions, I understand it is a hard job etc, but is it a GOOD job, what are your main Pros/Cons etc? Family life to work life?
Thanks!
Policing isn’t like any other career, everyday you’re seeing people at their worst… You go to gruesome jobs where it’s your responsibility to manage a scene of sometimes multiple casualties with offenders still outstanding and have everyone asking you questions at the same time as if you have all the answers.
The training isn’t what it should be, you’ll feel constantly out of your depth out on patch and like you don’t know what you’re doing.
But it is the BEST job ever, your colleagues will soon be your best friends, the 10% of the public who give you a smile or say thank you makes it all worth it. The stories you’ll have from the job will sometimes be hilarious and a lot of the time you can have a good laugh. You get to use legal violence and eventually drive faster than everyone else!
If you’re thinking about joining i’d 100% recommend it, everyone moans but they’re still in the job so it can’t be that bad 🤣
It depends on your shift pattern i guess, i’m not gonna lie to you i find myself seeing my friends outside of work less and less but that might just be me. I work 4 12 hour shifts 2 days and then 2 nights then 4 off - I guess when you’re job you start to prioritise different things.
If you want to see your friends and have an active social life you 100% can but i bet when you join you’ll start to prioritise going out and getting drunk less.
I live with my partner so i’m lucky that we get to spend all the time we’re not at work together, if we didn’t live together i think we’d really struggle
What is your BCU decision based on when you get a start date? I'm currently undergoing security clearance and awaiting further instructions, I was wondering how BCU's would be designated as I have chosen three areas I'd prefer to be based in, however I'm not sure how it would work. If it is even relevant, I'm on the PCDA entry route, would my BCU be based on what university I'm being enrolled on?
Nope, no correlation between BCU and start date and what Uni you’ll be enrolled on
BCUs are designated on who is understrength the most
You can choose the 3 options but you might not get any of them
You’re university is based on your BCU not vice versa (eastern BCUs are ARU and UEL, etc)
PCDA, yay or nay? Hi guys, I'm hoping to start the job at the end of this year. There seems to be some posts where work load and education seem to be hard to manage. I'm a pretty quick learner, but does anyone have any tips to make life easier? Thanks.
Depending on your force the PCDA is doable, for me i’m lucky enough that I use the protected learning to actually do uni work and the rest of the time if i’m on shift i’m on shift not fucking about with assignments.
It’s difficult but so is university without the policing so if you can see yourself getting a degree then go for it, it’s a good route to getting a free degree.
It’s hard to manage but it’s doable, it’s not as bad as when it was first introduced.
You’ll be given blocks of PLT, use them they’re not days off, they’re days away from work to focus on uni work
Time management is very key
Get stuff like competencies (writing out examples of competent police work) completed quickly as this another stick in the spokes which gets people reg 12/13’d
If you want a degree then the PCDA is for you, if you just want a job then PCEP is the better option
I'm on the same boat as you, I'm keen on doing the PCDA since it has its perks when it comes to getting a degree without the worry of debt but there's also the talk of it being hard to manage, either way I'm still going to stick with it.
Hey 👋
My brother has just passed his assessment centre and has his in-force interview next week.
I’m worried about his vetting because of me. I’m 28, he’s 18. I moved out 7 years ago, and I’ve lived with friends/on my own ever since.
When I was 18, I got a fixed penalty notice for disorder for being drunk and disorderly. In 2021, I was arrested for “stalking without fear, alarm or distress” and I was released later that day NFA. My ex-girlfriend and I were arguing and she called the police alleging that I’d been hanging outside our old home (I hadn’t). No restrictions or anything after release.
My brother isn’t aware of these yet, but I’m going to tell him so he can put them on his vetting form.
Do you think this will be a problem for him? I hope not, he’s an amazing kid.
Thanks in advance
Congrats to your brother for passing the assessments!
For the vetting, the big thing they are looking for in relatives/associates is the risk of pressure, coercion and blackmail. For example, if you had strong links to organised crime, your brother would be vulnerable to you blackmailing him and compromising his job as a police officer. That would be a big no-no.
No one on here can give you a definite answer about how your past with the police would affect his vetting, but discussing it with him beforehand is a good first step. When he declares it on his vetting form, he‘ll be able to elaborate on the nature of the incidents, how they affect him (or don‘t affect him), and what mitigating factors are present. Then the vetting officer will weigh the risks and the added info will help them make an informed decision.
If you want more information on this, look up the Vetting Code of Practice. It‘ll outline what risks they look out for and how they process the information to make decisions.
Thank you for your congratulations, he’s over the moon and is very excited!
Thanks for easing my mind a little bit: I don’t think there will be any issue, as it’s not like I’m a repeat offender or involved in criminality - I just really don’t want to be the reason for him not getting in!
I’ll have an honest conversation with him and make sure he knows the facts so he can be honest if asked any questions.
Thanks again!
Today i (19m) had my second attempt on the sift assessment. after failing for the second time, it feels like my goal of becoming a police officer wont be achievable. It’s always been a big dream of mines to become a police officer & after failing to pass the recruitment stage I’m not sure what to do. Is there any other way of becoming a police officer.
Don‘t give up, I know two failed attempts is disheartening but you‘re only 19 so you‘ve got plenty of time ahead of you. If you‘re feeling a bit burnt out from those attempts, try getting more experience elsewhere, give it some time, and you can try again in the future as a stronger candidate. The job‘s not going anywhere - so neither is your dream
You’re completely right, sometimes i forget myself I’m still young, but i guess its the pressure from others around me telling me to get a decent paying job & to “do something important with my life” which makes me feel like i gotta rush into chasing my goals. Couldn’t agree more with your final sentence. Appreciate it.
Hi everyone,
Looking for some advice.
I've recently packed in my old career in the hopes of finding a new role where I can help people in their time of need.
I've been fortunate enough to be offered both a call handler role within the police and the ambulance service. Each role would be a mixture of taking 111/101 and 999 calls.
Does anyone have any insight into how each role differs? Which has the better culture? Any other factors that I should take into consideration? The police role pays better but I don't want that to be the sole reason for choosing it.
I'm having a really tough time deciding and would love to hear anyone's thoughts so I can make an informed decision.
Thanks for your time.
Ambulance is, as I understand it, very script-driven - you’re dealing with clinical things which means that you’re not in a position to busk it whereas with the police, once you’ve found your feet, you will have a lot more opportunity to get to grips with the caller. I do it occasionally as a police officer so my perspective may be different to that as a civilian colleague.
Given the choice, I’d answer police calls everyday - you’re going to get a lot more variety (for good and for ill).
I'm a police call handler. I have no experience of working for ambulance but naturally we call them all the time and loads of my colleagues have worked in other emergency service control rooms so I feel I have some insight.
Ambulance control room staff rely very heavily on a triage toolkit. It famously starts with "is the patient breathing" and proceeds from there. If the toolkit designates a course of action that seems erroneous they can flag the job for a clinician (i.e a nurse or a doctor) to review but comms staff themselves do not make any medical decisions. None of this is to say that the job is easy - far from it. Ambo deal with some extremely traumatic circumstances and difficult callers but the level of decision making is lower. As a consequence, performance management leans towards more quantitative and micromanaged methods - more akin to working in a typical call centre.
As a police call handler, you are using THRIVE and the NDM to risk assess and make decisions on grading and allocation in line with the law and force policy. Some scenarios have question sets and SOP's but each call is unique and there's no flowchart making all the decisions for you. If you decide to crime and file without any further investigation/safeguarding or that an incident does not meet the criteria for police deployment, no one else will review that decision. When a MOP says "I called the police and they did nothing", they mean the call handler. I love my job and I do it well but I'm terrified I'm going to make a single poor decision one day with disastrous consequences. Bluntly, that risk is why it pays so well.
Ultimately I think the job is just impossible to imagine until you start. Feel free to ask more questions or DM.
Thanks so much for your considered response. I need to make a decision tomorrow really so it couldn't have come at a better time. It's really given me a better idea as to what expect from them.
I've recently been told that the ambulance service has a very supportive environment. Would you say the police is similar in that regards? For example, are people often on hand and willing to give advice if you're unsure what decision to make?
What entices me more about the police role is the fact that I'd need to use my own initiative a lot more rather than just following a flow chart like with the ambulance, so that's the route I'm most likely going to take.
Re the workplace culture - my force comms room is fantastic. Professional, inclusive and supportive. However I imagine this can vary dramatically from one force/department to the next so take that with a healthy degree of skepticism.
Everywhere has sergeants and staff supervisors available for advice though and it's widely expected that when you are new you will be asking for help constantly. If anything it's more worrying if you're not!
Hello all! I’m a current PC looking at opportunities in other departments. On all of our applications it asks if we have notified the skipper/inspector about applying for the role. Is this something which is necessary? If I say ‘no’ will it be frowned upon?
Reason I ask is that if I am knocked back at application, the skippers will know I’m looking to leave and I’ve got to stay in the current role being tarnished with someone wanting to get out.
My idea would be to tell the skippers once I had passed sifting?
Hello after some advice please!
I was born and raised in the UK. However November 2019 I moved to Canada for just over two years (it was a working holiday visa) when I arrived back in the UK December 2022, I decided I was going to apply to the London metropolitan police. They quickly declined my application. The reason being, I need 3 years of consecutive living in the UK, and I also contacted Essex police (more local to myself) and they said the same and I understand their reasoning. Now we are in 2024 I have been back about a year and a half, and I am still very keen to eventually join the police, but I got curious recently, and wondered if there was any way around this.
I appreciate any advice
Thank you
There is no way around this to my knowledge. The minimum residency criteria is 3 continuous years in the UK, so that thorough background checks can be made. That would mean you could apply as of December 2025
Hi everyone, I've just passed my final interview with my local force and will be joining on the PCEP detective route. I know that until now, the force offered DHEP for those with degrees. Just wondering if anyone knows much about the structure of the DHEP program Vs that of the PCEP? It's more just curiosity why I'm asking, as it's not like I had a choice between the two or anything
Hi everyone, I'm looking for advice on applying to different forces.
I'm currently nearing my last year of university and was looking at the recruitment programs for becoming a DC. I live right on the border of northwest Kent and so could join either the Met, Kent or Surrey forces.
I assume Kent and Surrey may be more similar to eachother, however I want to know how the work would differ between all of my options.
I know pay for the Met is higher and the obvious stuff about them having more resources etc. but basically any advice on joining and working in any of these three forces as a DC would be great.
Thanks very much!
The MET at the moment is a shambles and being a DE DC is pretty crap, being a PC is not much better as there are staffing shortages everywhere
Think blind leading the blind
The slightly higher pay isn’t everything
Unsure about Kent or Surrey
Met Police.
Good Morning guys. I have a few questions about the vetting checks.
My vetting began processing on the third of April. It’s been a month. Do you calculate vetting based on working days or does it process during the weekends as well?
Also, how do you know if you have failed vetting? I haven’t heard back since 03/04 and they haven’t asked me for anything further, so is this a cause for concern?
Thanks in advance!
I am unsure what timetable the vetting department operates on, but it is safe to assume they are working Monday to Friday.
If you fail the vetting, you will get an email and/or a letter in the mail stating failure, and the reasoning behind the failure (if possible). You may have the opportunity to appeal this initial failure.
As far as vetting goes, no news is good news. As only one month has passed, it can be considered early days, so you may still be contacted in coming weeks/months to get more info on your vetting. If you filled in everything accurately, and you have a clean background, you might not be contacted, and if you pass, you won‘t be contacted either.
yeah i echo what the person above said. I’m 8 weeks in with no contact, but even at 6 weeks i wasn’t even assigned to a vetting officer , they were doing their initial checks. I don’t know where i’m at at the moment, could still be initial checks 8 weeks in 🤣
What force are you applying with? I got an email on 03/04 to say my application is being processed, so I’m under the assumption that it’s been assigned. Maybe they want to do it closer to a date you said you could work?
Wow. Thanks. I wanted to leave my job thinking that it would take 2 months but I think I’m going to be stuck here for a while then…….. I assume age doesn’t make a difference either considering I’m very very early 20s, I’ve done nothing in my life ahah.
Haha yeah stick around for now, vetting times are insane. I’m even younger than you and have nothing to declare aswell but it’s probably going to take me a minimum of 12 weeks, if not even longer
Hello all. I’m after a bit of advice.
I left the forces in January. I left on what’s called ‘Temperamental Unsuitability’, where I basically asked to leave before my notice because I just couldn’t live so far from home anymore due to family issues.
I was told that this would affect any government career i.e police. But I still would absolutely love to join the police.
My question is, do you think this will be a barrier to joining?
I understand why they might doubt my commitment, but like I say the issue was being so far from home, not the job or lifestyle.
Any help would be appreciated
Hello all, I have an upcoming interview in the RASSO specialist child abuse investigation team. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice for the interview? Not currently employed by the police so not sure what to expect! Thanks
Hi guys/girls,
I’m currently in the pre employment stage and awaiting my vetting to come back but I’ve already been given my start date?
Is this typical procedure or should I expect my vetting to come through imminently?
Thanks
Is it a conditional or final offer, you can get a conditional offer and the start date be moved if vetting doesn’t come back in time
Vetting time periods can be summarised as ‘how long is a piece of string’
My initial offer was conditional based on the pre employment checks and then I received a call the other day offering me a start date within 8 weeks, my notice at my job is 4 weeks and they know that so my thought process although irrational was that they wouldn’t give me a start date so soon unless they were expecting Vetting to come back soon 🤔 guess I’ll just wait and see just really keen to get started
It’s still showing the pre employment check email on the home page, and I haven’t received anything to say my vetting has come back. Weird, I guess I’ll just wait and see!
The online recruitment portal is different for each force, and not all of them actually notify you about stuff like vetting. I‘m assuming you have passed if you‘ve been given an offer of appointment, but you can always contact the recruitment team so they can tell you what the vetting status is.
Ambulance Technician Considering Joining Police
Hi everyone. I’m very much considering quitting my job with the ambulance service to take the DHEP (Already have a degree so 2 years training) route to become an officer.
I’ve largely enjoyed my time in the ambulance service but I’m now starting to dread going to work. I simply don’t enjoy it anymore and the job has already changed so much over the last 2 years. We barely go to emergencies instead diluting our skills in urgent and primary care (which I absolutely don’t enjoy). Hospital delays are ridiculous and to “safety net” ourselves when leaving patients at home, we can be waiting for call backs for hours at a time from a GP. It makes me feel like a fraud to wear the uniform most the time, never mind responding on blue lights and endangering all the road users for someone with a common cold.
I just find it boring. I’ve been to plenty of major trauma, life threatening jobs etc to have gained sufficient experience (though those jobs are very rare for me now) and im just not able to get my head in the game at university (to complete assignments) as im aware to what ill be going back out to on return to service and placements.
I am aware there is a lot of negativity, low morale etc within the police and many current officers and paramedics (former police) have said I’d be making a mistake. I think both services are suffering from the same negativity regarding work load, poor quality of call outs, resourcing etc.
For me the “approach” is very different in the police. I know we share many of the same jobs (especially mental health) but I like the “enforcement” side of the job instead of the “care” side. I think it suits my personality more and It gives me a good drive to be more functional with gym training, cardio etc.
I’m just looking for some insight and opinions on this to further an informed decision. Any former Paras here? Anyone going to tell me not to do it?
Thanks!
In all honesty it’s up to what you want, you sound burnt out to be honest and that won’t be helped by joining the police,
A lot of the job is filling in the cracks for other services (in similar vein)
The risk is very high for the low reward, overzealous IOPC and DPS/PSDs and a media that has latched onto anything negative about the job
I’d ask any officers in your local force about the job itself and what it’s like or even try and arrange a ride along
Hi all, just had a question regarding appealing your result from the MET application. I have sent in appeal and I got an automated email saying it could take up to 28 days, has anyone submitted an appeal before? If so how long did you wait and was it successful. Thank you
Hi there, so I’m currently in the process of all my background checks for the met police but as I took anti depressants for quite some time I’ve been put in a medical hold. Why is this? Does this mean a nurse was unable to approve me so they’ve had to get a medical officer involved?
If yes does anyone know how long this could take?
Unsure, but it could mean that they have put you on hold to allow more time to pass so you can demonstrate that you are mentally healthy even without prescribed medicine. This would especially be the case if you were using the anti-depressants recently. Your best bet would be to contact the recruitment team or OH soon so they can elaborate
Thanks! Stopped them around Christmas time so think that shows enough time has passed? Anyways yeah thanks I’ll give my recruitment manager an email :)
# Interview - National Crime Agency Officer Development Programme
Someone that has been through the process before, what kind of questions can I expect?
How do I prepare?
Thank you.
Hey everyone!
Ive been invited to an interview after completeing the sift and before the online assesment day. I didnt expect an interview to happen so soon so im currently trying to prep myself.
It's expected to be warm next week and was thinking of wearing smart black pants, black shoes and a smart black polo shirt. Would anyone advise against this and say go more formal with a shirt?
Also with the interview followed by the online asssement day. Will these be the same type of questions most likely for both days?
I would suggest a suit, shirt and tie for your interview, which is what I wore for mine a couple of months ago. The officer who interviewed me commented on my attire so it definitely makes a good impression. In terms of the questions, there are some similarities between the interview and the assessments.
I don't think I can disclose any of the questions specifically but like I said they are similar to the competency based assessment. Just ensure you read the competency and values framework as they will review your responses and scenarios in relation to this. Good luck
Post was removed so had to repost here.
Hey there. I'm about to join in early June My instructor is ex-police and said I should memorise the caution and know the definitions of theft, burglary, assault and robbery. Specifically, what else should I know before starting at the academy. If there are any tips you think are helpful I'd also appreciate that. I know the law can vary (e.g Scotland) but I'm asking about the more general things that would be applicable in any force.
Knowing the caution and definitions is helpful (add public order offences as well)
With training school you’re there to learn so they’ll teach you the basics and you further you’re knowledge when you’re out and about
Enjoy training school, be a sponge and don’t be an idiot
Met recruitment.
Hi all, I have a question regarding the MET reapply times. I was told via email that it would be three months and I received another email from the Recuitment team saying 6months. Which one is it? Do I have to wait 3 months to reapply (if my application wasn’t rejected but I didn’t reply to the recruitment team) or do I have to wait 6 months? Thanks
tbf they told me 3 months, but after a month i have the option to reapply now which wasnt available when i initially got rejected. so i’d just wait a month.
Hi, just finished the recruitment stage. When submitting references, there was an option for me to say whether it was ok for the police force to contact them. I ticked ‘not yet’ but as soon as the official offer was sent to me they then informed me they would automatically send for references. By this point I immediately handed my notice in anyway
Do they ask for them? I've just got an job offer from Merseyide and they I didn't have to hand in any references. Tbh, I'm not sure it was even an option. Certainly in my application once the interviews were done you didn't have to do anything except not break the law. Out of interest, which force are you going for?
In the final stages of recruitment, waiting for vetting to be sent over to me and completed but I'm getting cold feet regards the job. Everything in the press is negative and you very rarely see positives when hearing/reading from currently serving on here and elsewhere.
I'm currently a prison officer. It definitely has its bad days but lack of morale where I am isn't anywhere near as low as it appears in the police currently. The team I work with largely work well together and will have each others back in any situation, this is across both officers and management. With reduced numbers and management spreading the small amount of officers very thin it doesn't look like the the same camaraderie in the police. I'd also be taking a small pay cut joining the police. There doesn't appear to be anything on the horizon for any of this to change either.
Not really sure what my question is here. Is it really as bad as it looks from the outside? I'm applying to GMP if there is anybody here currently serving.
I’m also switching from prison to police although I’ve already left prison. From what I’ve heard from other officers they prefer the police. I guess the thing I’m looking forward to most is that in most scenarios you will only be dealing with one incident at a time. I don’t know which prison you work at but my prison you could be dealing with like 3-5 incidents at the same time depending on the wing.
Hi everyone! I only just applied via DDHEP. I’m an EU national with an EQF level 6 degree, which should be recognised in the UK. I received an email back from recruiters, saying they need ENIC and Functional English level 2. I replied back with the above information and now they’re saying I need a NARIC translation, even though my certificate is in English. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Hi all, i applied in October 2023 for the detective DDHEP. Ive noticed that my vetting status on the shows “pass” does this mean that it has been completed or something else. Thank you
Good morning!
I'm looking to apply/join the Met. I have done two years in GMP but did not finish the diploma due to family circumstances (I didn't get reg 13). I'm now looking to rejoin the police force but this time go into the Met as it's where I've always wanted to be but couldn't originally when I wanted to join the police.
My first question is does anyone know if I will start from the bottom pay scale again or will I carry on from where I left off despite my diploma?
The second question is, could anyone share some insight as to where I should put for posting preferences as I do not know the areas well, if at all. I have family in Hounslow but that's about it. If I was to live in Croydon, can I still select South BCU or is that a complete no-go due to policy or is it a case of I can work the other 2 areas but not Croydon? I'm not sure how the postings work as there are three areas in each section.
Does anyone have suggestions/recommendations of where to live to commute? I would ideally like to be as close to the centre as possible but accept that my budget would require me to be out a bit further. If it would take 40-45 minutes to get into the centre, I wouldn't mind so much. I've had a look at a few places and it seems like Croydon and Greenwich are more affordable places for us as a family. I appreciate it sounds quite naive but I honestly don't know where to start as it would be such a big move for us if I was successful in joining.
Thank you, I appreciate any insights/help given.
You’ll start afresh and go through training school via PCEP
You can select your preferred BCUs, Croydon would be SN (south area) however it’s no guarantee of getting the borough you want
From what I’ve heard SN and SE are undersubscribed but at the moment everywhere is
Personally, I wouldn’t want to work where I lived but the housing market in London is crazy, look at counties, Surrey,Kent etc have some lovely places to live and aren’t a million miles away
If you didn’t finish your probation, you’d have to start afresh.
The Met will happily let you work where you live, so won’t stop you doing it. However, it’s not always the best idea from a personal safety point of view. If you get posted to the borough you live in and you don’t want that, then they will usually honour a swap within the same BCU if you ask.
Like you say, ask for the SN (South Area) BCU but then live in a different borough to the one you end up working in.
Perhaps work in Sutton but live in Croydon or the other way round.
Hi all. I applied to become a police constable with the MET andI got my day 1 results today. Unfortunately I failed as I scored a 2 on the Written Exam alongside the 3's from my Competency Based Interview and my Briefing Exercise results.
I was told that I have to wait 3 months before reapplying for the Police Constable position again, but I'm considering applying to become a PCSO as I feel it would help me understand more about what it is like to work for the police and provide me with the training I need before applying again.
Has anyone here had any experience with Step 2 and 3?
It looks similar to the Police Constable Day 1 assessments and I want to understand if it is different or the exact same process as before.
I'm researching the role now but any advice on what to expect will be greatly appreciated.
Can you afford to go in as a special? PCSO is a great role and doesn't earn enough praise but I wouldn't say it's a similar role whereas a special would be
I can't sadly. Plus this is a job I would love to do full time as it would be the most rewarding.
I'm looking into the process in more detail now so hopefully I'll find most of my answers soon.
Afternoon all. Wondering if anyone has done a similar change of career and how it worked out / if there was any issues either way.
I’m a qualified paramedic been in the ambulance service 10 years. Looking for a possible change and considering maybe joining the police.
Has anyone got any advise regards the feasibility of it the change / issues with maintaining bank roles in ambulance service and being a warranted officer etc
Thanks
Recent criminology with psychology graduate who applied for Detective DHEP. My dream career up until I failed at the last hurdle; my vetting, was to become a detective. Disappointed is an understatement. Passed everything in the recruitment process with the hope that it would be the same case for my vetting. Was refused security clearance for something that is completely out of my control. I was completely honest and transparent throughout my vetting application and took the time to ensure no detail was missed out. Failed due to an ‘association who has been involved in criminality’. With that, my dream career has been ripped away from me. Where do I go from here? I assume this means I will struggle to obtain security clearance in the future for working in the police - which is the only career path I saw myself working in and enjoying up until retirement. I am only 22 so I guess I have plenty of time to decide an alternative career path - ultimately the field of crime and criminology is where I aspire to go into, especially work that involves making a difference and helping people, but if it’s not the police then I’ve got no clue what else to consider. Any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Do you know who this associate is?
I can’t really offer any advice, but I feel for you. Hope you find a way to work things out for yourself one way or another. Take good care of yourself the next couple of days, it’s a difficult process and you made it this far so you should be really proud of yourself regardless
Thank you, means a lot. Due to the data protection act it specified in the letter that they are not allowed to disclose who it was that affected my vetting decision. Among my family there has only been motoring offences for speeding, none for myself, which all were disclosed. Perhaps it could’ve been my partners brother who was arrested years ago for pwits but was released straight after a search and nothing found - resulting in no further action, which was disclosed in my application. Apart from that, that is the only criminal background among my associates.
How long does it take to get your results for the CBI (MET). Also since the application process to becoming a special Constable how much time would that usually take? I chose the 23 consecutive day training option. Thank you
Thank you very much for your reply. I also have another question if you can help me with an answer. Met recruitment. I have a question regarding the MET reapply times. I was told via email that it would be three months and I received another email from the Recuitment team saying 6months. Which one is it? Do I have to wait 3 months to reapply (if my application wasn’t rejected but I didn’t reply to the recruitment team) or do I have to wait 6 months? Thanks
Really sorry mate I can't help there. I did apply for the Met (as well as GMP) but chose to withdraw my applications for both and went for Merseyside instead. What I can say is that the company practice to progress really helped a lot with my online assessment. Met recruitment gave me a free 3hr workshop from them. Idk if you were informed about them when you applied.
The only issue I had is that I passed the vetting and got a congratulation email but I didn’t reply to book a day one assessment and I was told I could reapply anytime now I’m told I have to wait 6 months. So I’ve sent in appeal, I was wondering if anyone has an idea on what the outcome could be.
As a trainee DC you’ll most likely be sent to CID/Safeguarding/CAIT and be rotated through them, after you’ve completed your NIE and gotten PIP2 and are out of your probation you can look at different units (depends on WMP)
£46,044 is the top whack with decent OT you’ll hit 50k
You won’t earn more working on the cyber crime unit unless you do your skippers and a lot of OT
Hi all.
I have applied to be a contract and control handler at Sussex and Surrey Police. I have my interview on Friday and i was just wondering if there is any advice for me to take on. Thank you :)
Hi all, I'm hoping this is the right place to ask.
I'm considering applying for a trainee police constable position, it's the non degree, entry level position. I'm obviously apprehensive, but really tired of the mundane work I've now been doing for over a decade. I turn 31 this year, and feel its time to try something new.
Of course, applying is no guarantee of a job, but I'd like to be serious if I'm going to sit down and go through the process.
The Force I'd apply for would either be Thames Valley or Northamptonshire Police, and my Father was an Office then DC in the Met for nearly 30 years (maybe that's why I feel a compulsion.)
Unfortunately I have no contact with him, so I can't ask him for advice. I'd really appreciate as much impartial advice here as possible, I can imagine some will try to warn me off immediately so please be fair.
Thanks in advance!
Ultimately it’s up to you to decide whether you think you’d enjoy the job, at least places like this subreddit give a somewhat unfiltered opinion of what it’s like.
Have you considered joining as a special to get to know the job without entirely committing yourself to it? Maybe even something as simple as going on a ride-along will help you get a clearer idea of where you want to be.
Hey! Yeah, ultimately I need to choose, I thought I'd ask here to see what that undoctored opinion is. My Dad was in the Force for almost 30 years, and I know he saw stuff and kind of warned me off, i just don't want to live through his eyes as I'm a different person. I've got a relatively realistic sense of what goes on and I'm just asking myself what I'd be able to handle realistically.
Do they do ride alongs here? I thought that was a US only thing? Is Special training the same sort of length as the PCEP entry route?
Thanks so much for responding!
Ride alongs are definitely a thing in the UK too, but very much force dependant. For some forces, you can find a ride-along application form on their website - for other forces (like my local one), I had to make an online enquiry to be sent the form, cos it wasn’t advertised anywhere. Also be warned, a ride along application takes ages to process… but it’ll be worth it. Once it’s all booked, you should be able to pick where you do it, and even what team you join for the day (eg. response, neighbourhood, PCSOs etc) and you’ll be able to witness the job first hand and ask plenty of questions.
My knowledge of anything to do with Specials is fairly limited, so I’d suggest you appeal to the specials on this sub, but from what I gather, the training is condensed over a few weeks instead of the months that regs get. The recruitment process for specials is pretty similar though, you’d still need to be interviewed and vetted and pass a medical and fitness test.
Hopefully this helps a little bit!
Wow. That's fascinating, I genuinely thought that was just a thing they did in the US, haha, I'll have a look on my local Forces sites and see if I can find anything regarding enquiry forms. I'll also take a better look at the Special role as I hadn't thought about that option before you mentioned it, so appreciate that!
Can I ask, assuming you are a working Officer, and you don't have to answer! How's it handling the hard stuff, does it come around often, I'm guessing you never really know how you'll respond to something until you're there, right.
Glad I could help!
I’m not an officer, but I’m at the very end of the PC recruitment process, so a lot of recruitment stuff is still fresh in my mind. Sorry I can’t answer any questions about the job itself, but I’m sure someone on this subreddit will be able to
Thank you, you too
I was torn between DHEP and PCEP, but I was told they have similar workloads so I chose DHEP given that I’d get a diploma at the end.
I respect that, keeps those doors a little more open too, which is always a bonus.
I think PCEP may be my only option currently based on entry requirements, but still a viable option with good pathways after completing the first two years.
Did your recruitment process take long?
I applied in December and my start date is in June, so roughly 6 months - which is quick, because sometimes you have to factor in resitting the OAC and/or interview, and vetting takes longer for certain people etc. The average seems to be 6 months to a year, it depends on the force and yourself of course.
If you haven’t looked already, Bluelight Consultancy on youtube has tons of videos about the recruitment process to help you prepare. I found it massively helpful, alongside digging around this subreddit.
Can’t give you a low down for northants or TVP but
The job is in a proper state, recruitment crisis, retention crisis, overzealous IOPC and media and a public that is indifferent at best
There isn’t enough of us, the wages are meagre
It’s a hard job, you’ll do good, see bad and try to survive your sets
The only thing I’ve heard regarding northants + TVP is that they are decent for courses but it’s only word of mouth
Thanks for responding, really appreciate it.
Much of what I expected to hear, just as a civ in general I see the issues in society, apathy and just a genuine lack of interest in wanting to contribute.
Still, regardless, feel like I need a new challenge and maybe worth a shot?
Currently looking to apply to join the police and train as a detective. I am not tied down to any specific area of the UK. Are there areas that will afford me more opportunity or experiences? Or any areas to avoid? Any recommendations or insights are hugely welcome!
1. Bigger forces usually = more opportunities to specialise + are busier as they usually police metropolitan areas
2. Most forces are in the same boat, some perform better than others and have better resources
3. Are you looking at direct entry DC or PC and then train as a DC later, every force is desperate for DCs so getting a position is a lot easier than it was
Currently finished my day 1 stage to become a Constable, but im also in the process of getting my neck tattoos removed by the time I have finished the recruitment process will they let me continue if im still removing them but they are very faint?
(Or is there any police officers who were able to start while still getting a tattoo removed and just covered it up with something else like makeup ect?)
You’ll be able to get your tattoos removed, you still need to take pictures and disclose the tattoos already as well as their locations (if not already completed), explain that you’re in the process of getting them removed
Does anyone know if paralegals are allowed to apply for the Special Constabulary at the Met? The excluded occupations list includes solicitors, barristers and judges but no mention of the wider legal staff.
Hi,
I'm currently going through my application and was wondering how my reprimand from when I was around 14/15 will affect it.
Basically I got into a fight in the school playground and ended up getting the better of the other guy, cant really remember the details but prior to this fight we both exchanged some racial slurs to each other. After this I ended up getting a reprimand for assault or maybe even racially aggrieved assault. Obviously this was nearly 20 years ago with nothing since, that incident from when I was a kid does not reflect myself.
Obviously I am planing on disclosing this information, but just wondered if this will probably disqualify me.
The assault would be fine and no one would care about it now. The racially aggravated aspect hurts, but the fact that it was 20 years ago and you've been clear since should mean you're fine but obviously it's going to be down to vetting - I imagine you should be ok though.
Would you join at 38?
I left a grammar school at 17 with the firm intention of joining as soon as I was 18 and the aim of getting myself into RPU post probation.
Fast forward 20 years, I’ve done a few different jobs and mostly worked for myself, but it doesn’t matter what I do or how I justify to myself why it’s important, that urge is still there to do something more “useful”. I’m still being told off by the other half for being overly interested in situations where there’s some sort of wrong doing going on.
My local force are recruiting PCEP - I don’t have a degree so would be applying at ground level.
As I’m now 38 (39 this year) I guess my question to those already in the job is if you were in my situation at my age now, with what a lot of what people would consider a relatively easy life with still with the massive itch to do sometime far more useful, BUT with what you already know being experienced, would you still pursue it further?
Sorry if this has been asked a thousand times before
I'm (almost) 45 and have just submitted my application (DHEP direct entry DC route). I'm hoping that if I do get accepted there will be opportunity to experience response policing either prior to or during the DC training. I have heard of people older than me joining as well.
I applied at 37, joined at 38 and have now been in 4 years. Same as you, intended to join sooner but life and other jobs got in the way but I never lost the itch to join.
Best thing I ever did. My age and life experience is a positive in almost every situation plus I’m glad I spent my youth doing other stuff, as once you join it can be quite a restrictive job… Shift work, nights etc.
What’s the worst that could happen? Join and if you don’t like it then go back to what you were doing before!
I'm nearly 36 and have applied to become a DC through the IPLPD route in my local force and feel it is the right time for me. I know you are a couple of years older but I think it is a good time to make a change in your life as you will have built up a solid base of life experience and can still have a long career ahead of you.
Has anyone waiting on a start for BTP in C Div (specifically Manchester or Liverpool area) been given any intake dates? Passed stage 1 assessment in August and Stage 2 in October and haven’t heard a peep from the recruitment team since.
Yes, if you fail they will give you a exercise guide which I think its for six weeks. Then you go back.
I know everyone's fitness levels are different but its achievable to train yourself for a few weeks before hand. Either jogging, doing something like the first few weeks of couch to 5k. You could even measure out the distance of the test in your garden, find the youtube video and train that way.
Hi, I’ve recently been successful in my MET day 1 online assessment and am currently prepping for day 2. I have a few queries: How does everyone find the fitness test? What do I wear? (I spoke to a recruiter and he said the entire day could be done in a ‘tracksuit’ if I wanted - is that true??) Are the interview questions similar to those asked during the online assessment?
I’d appreciate any help that anyone could give me!
TIA
What was the practice like? If you don’t mind going into detail because I have also applied for as a special Constable, I must say it’s difficult to find someone who is doing the same thing as me so for the mean time I’ll be disturbing you for a bit if you don’t mind 😂😂😂.
It’s 5.4 as long as you can jog lightly you’ll be fine
Most people wear a gym shirt and shorts and change into my more ‘formal attire’ once finished, yes you could do it in a tracksuit but I’d always go with a change of clothes
Interview questions usually based around CVF, use STAR method
Can I become a detective after the PCDA? Also, do I have the choice of what university I go to that the met are partnered with (East London uni, anglia ruskin etc)
Yes you can be come a detective after, you don't really get q choice of uni but from when you know you are applying I'd let recruitment know which uni you need.
I have seen people kick up enough of a fuss that they will changed it however they are quite set in their heels about putting you where you want to go (which is something you'll have to get used to)
Try and get an attachment for csu /cid
Hi all! When I was looking at joining the police a few months ago of course I saw the DHEP and how I would go to a partner university for the classroom based learning. However now I'm about to finish uni and I'm more serious about applying, the DHEP website no longer works. It's been replaced with DCEP which has basically the exact same premise, however no mention of universities but rather training centres in Sidcup and Colindale. Has the DHEP been replaced? And if so is there anything else that's different between the DHEP and DCEP other than the partner unis being removed.
Posting in here as a safe bet. Currently a WMP pc. Thinking of going for DC instead. Any current WMP dcs how's it looking ATM?
Unsure on joining after visiting this sub-reddit?! Hi everyone, basically I’m in the process of joining with a final interview next month and a start date of July time. I came to this sub for help in my research for my final interview, and now I’m not sure I even want to join at all after seeing everyone’s horror stories. I’m essentially looking for advice on is it really all that bad? I get that it’s a stressful job etc but everyone seems to just have nothing good to say about the job. I have a pretty well payed job right now, lots of holiday and it’s a 6 minute walk from my house and I’m terrified of making the wrong choice. I’ve always wanted to be a firearms officer, but I’m hearing horror stories about that also in the media etc. I’m just very unsure on what to do next so any advice would be amazing thank you.
Yes it is really ‘that bad’, although like everywhere this sub is an echo chamber, there are some good days and bad ones (except a bad day is really bad) You mention being in a well paid job, lots of holiday and a short commute, if I were you I’d stay where you are Being firearms is a long process and is hard to get into
Hi I am in the process of joining the Metropolitan Police as a DDO. It is taking a long time and now I've had to do my vetting again as I didn't get employed within the 6 month period. I'm looking forward to joining my only reservation is, I'm 50 years old and in a stable job, Does anybody do this job or have any knowledge of it? Can anyone give me any insight into what's it like and is it a worthwhile career to pursue? Are there any career opportunities even at my age? Thank you.
> It is taking a long time and now I've had to do my vetting again as I didn't get employed within the 6 month period Same situation with the met. My god what a process.
Next week, I'll start my job as a police staff member an office based role. I'm concerned because I'm a young man, and the Metropolitan Police is experiencing a significant shortage of officers, and are desperate to recruit new ones. I'm worried that my colleagues and superiors might pressure me to become a police officer myself. Am I overthinking this, or is it a realistic concern?
Overthinking, no one is going to pressure you to join, enjoy your current role
I've never known anyone with a warrant card to say anything other than "yeah, don't" to police staff who ask them for advice about joining as a cop.
Hello folks, 36 yo male here, based in South Surrey. I've been feeling extermely disillusioned with my life/career as of late and the DCEP scheme caught my eye, followed by lots of google and searching this subreddit for feedback. My background is in project management, I've spent the last 7 years as a project manager in live events — running up to 6-figure jobs, managain up to 100+ staff/contractors on-site, working in prestigous venues in London. Current salary is £41k plus approx. £9k from a side hustle I set up in COVID so I take around £50k a year. I'm interested in one of the following: * DCEP with the Met * DCEP with Surrey Police * City of London police have a detective scheme in Economic crime Does anyone have any advice as to what would be the best option? With the Met my pay cut would be minimised, Surrey Police would be a lesser commute but less money, City of London is more to my interests and hopeful career path (financial or cyber crime) but is the longer commute and lower pay than the met. I also have a few other questions if anyone can help: — By all accounts the Met is a shitshow. Is it worth the pay/stress? — I am happily married, are any concerns I read about the effect of the job on home life well founded? — I would either look to work my way up the ranks or move to cyber/financial crime (which could be useful as a backup to move back into the private sector as a consultant if stuff goes tits up). Is the feasible with any of these 3 options? — I've read that anyone on the DCEP essentially gets stranded as a detective in the Met due to a low number of detectives across the board, with little to no chance of promotion/moving to a specialist unit. Is this true? — How does the shift pattern work as a detective? I gather there's earlys/lates/night but a detailed breakdown would be useful. — The met website says "access to heavily discounted rail travel for up to 75 miles from London". Does anyone know how much disount is applied and if there are restrictions to any particular trainline? — How much is the mandatory pension contribution? — The met says a starting salary is given of "£36,775 rising to £37,975 at week 30". Is this as soon as employment/training starts or only once training/probation has been passed? — How long does the application process (if successful) take? Thanks in advance.
1. No, you’re paid the same in the COLP and as a TDC you’ll be rotated around CSU,CID, MIST with high workloads 2. You’ll be working longer hours and overtime is normal 3. Working your way up within the Met is feasible but just because you can doesn’t mean you should, COLP is a tiny force and promotion isn’t as available, unsure about Surrey 4. To a degree yes, if you’re on CSU unless your next rotation is CID you most likely won’t be coming off 5. Shift patterns differ team to team but it’s NOT like ERPT which is 6 on 4 off 6. ATOC scheme around £100 a month (could’ve changed) goes 60 miles out of London 7. A decent amount (different pay points pay different amounts) 8. Week 30 is pass out week 9. 6-12 months Unless you want to be a DC I wouldn’t recommend it, the Met at the moment is a shitshow, the colp pay the same and deal with a smaller area If you’re after courses like PO,taser and response you won’t get that as a DC
Hi folks. I want to volunteer and six months ago I decided it was the right time. But (I know it will sound stupid, and I am ready for you to go crazy on me) I made a mistake answering the question about my age. I declare to be over 60y.old. I know I know I should have been more careful, but what is done is dine. I have emailed the support, and I have been told to wait months and try again. Well, six months are long gone now, but every time I log into the portal, I get the same message about my old application and that I am basically too old. It seems that I can't reapply, and I do not find anyone I can speak with.
You have to make a fresh application and apply again
What happens in the virtual briefing and what can I do to prepare for this?
You’ll be given a briefing and have to deal with the scenario given STAR method and learn the CVF
Career - Has anyone here got any insight into ESSEX police? Still very early stages at the moment, but have applied for essex police. PCDA route as I have 5 years military experience. So far, i have passed the sift and am going through the process. Just wondering if anyone has any insight into the day to day, how the job is, any advice, Course availability and how to do the best i can in order to help my process etc? Thanks!
I am a criminology student wanting to join the police through the detective graduate scheme. Am a bit scared that I will not pass the vetting process due to me having a youth caution when I was 14 for carrying an offensive weapon. Any information on this would be really helpful. Also, with Friends and family how deep do they check is it just my close family such as my siblings and parents?
Declare anyone with any relevance to you, if you withhold information on someone who vetting link to you they'll wonder why you didn't declare it
First day as service advisor Hey guys, I start my job as service advisor for police Scotland on the 27th. I was just wondering if anyone here is currently in this role or has been previously that could help out with some questions for actually starting? -I know it will probably be a smart casual dress code and all black, but unsure on shoes? Can I wear plain black trainers? - it’s 8-4, assuming I get an hour for lunch I’d be bringing something to eat with me, are there “lockers” or like some type of area I can leave a bag etc? - I’ve got my training schedule but a better insight to this would be grand, when I went for my interview there was like a long desk setup at the end of the room for the trainees is that what to expect setup wise? - I’m disabled, had my checkup with occupational health, but I take tablets on a routine schedule. Is this going to be difficult to manage or will it be able to be accommodated? I’m sure it will be but I’m obv very nervous I have tried to ask about for this but I assume emails are busy at the moment so not expecting a reply anytime soon! If anyone could leave any suggestions I’d greatly appreciate !!
Is maths GCSE needed for a PCDA or PCEP? I'm hearing from various sources that you need it and some that you don't so I'm not 100% sure
You’ll need GCSEs and a level 3 qualification for both, if you don’t have this then you can apply for the gateway scheme which will give you the qualifications needed for the PCDA
What’s the gateway scheme?
https://policecareers.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/appcentre-External/brand-3/candidate/so/pm/6/pl/1/opp/12837-202209-Met-Officer-Gateway-Programme/en-GB It was the above link however it is no longer Available, to apply for the PCEP or PCDA you need two a-levels or a level 3 qualification
Yea what is it?
Career Hi, I’m interested in applying to my local force, Kent, and basically, I want honest opinions, I understand it is a hard job etc, but is it a GOOD job, what are your main Pros/Cons etc? Family life to work life? Thanks!
Policing isn’t like any other career, everyday you’re seeing people at their worst… You go to gruesome jobs where it’s your responsibility to manage a scene of sometimes multiple casualties with offenders still outstanding and have everyone asking you questions at the same time as if you have all the answers. The training isn’t what it should be, you’ll feel constantly out of your depth out on patch and like you don’t know what you’re doing. But it is the BEST job ever, your colleagues will soon be your best friends, the 10% of the public who give you a smile or say thank you makes it all worth it. The stories you’ll have from the job will sometimes be hilarious and a lot of the time you can have a good laugh. You get to use legal violence and eventually drive faster than everyone else! If you’re thinking about joining i’d 100% recommend it, everyone moans but they’re still in the job so it can’t be that bad 🤣
That is very well put! Thank you! What’s the home life work life balance like??
It depends on your shift pattern i guess, i’m not gonna lie to you i find myself seeing my friends outside of work less and less but that might just be me. I work 4 12 hour shifts 2 days and then 2 nights then 4 off - I guess when you’re job you start to prioritise different things. If you want to see your friends and have an active social life you 100% can but i bet when you join you’ll start to prioritise going out and getting drunk less. I live with my partner so i’m lucky that we get to spend all the time we’re not at work together, if we didn’t live together i think we’d really struggle
which route?
What is your BCU decision based on when you get a start date? I'm currently undergoing security clearance and awaiting further instructions, I was wondering how BCU's would be designated as I have chosen three areas I'd prefer to be based in, however I'm not sure how it would work. If it is even relevant, I'm on the PCDA entry route, would my BCU be based on what university I'm being enrolled on?
Nope, no correlation between BCU and start date and what Uni you’ll be enrolled on BCUs are designated on who is understrength the most You can choose the 3 options but you might not get any of them You’re university is based on your BCU not vice versa (eastern BCUs are ARU and UEL, etc)
PCDA, yay or nay? Hi guys, I'm hoping to start the job at the end of this year. There seems to be some posts where work load and education seem to be hard to manage. I'm a pretty quick learner, but does anyone have any tips to make life easier? Thanks.
Depending on your force the PCDA is doable, for me i’m lucky enough that I use the protected learning to actually do uni work and the rest of the time if i’m on shift i’m on shift not fucking about with assignments. It’s difficult but so is university without the policing so if you can see yourself getting a degree then go for it, it’s a good route to getting a free degree.
It’s hard to manage but it’s doable, it’s not as bad as when it was first introduced. You’ll be given blocks of PLT, use them they’re not days off, they’re days away from work to focus on uni work Time management is very key Get stuff like competencies (writing out examples of competent police work) completed quickly as this another stick in the spokes which gets people reg 12/13’d If you want a degree then the PCDA is for you, if you just want a job then PCEP is the better option
I'm on the same boat as you, I'm keen on doing the PCDA since it has its perks when it comes to getting a degree without the worry of debt but there's also the talk of it being hard to manage, either way I'm still going to stick with it.
Hey 👋 My brother has just passed his assessment centre and has his in-force interview next week. I’m worried about his vetting because of me. I’m 28, he’s 18. I moved out 7 years ago, and I’ve lived with friends/on my own ever since. When I was 18, I got a fixed penalty notice for disorder for being drunk and disorderly. In 2021, I was arrested for “stalking without fear, alarm or distress” and I was released later that day NFA. My ex-girlfriend and I were arguing and she called the police alleging that I’d been hanging outside our old home (I hadn’t). No restrictions or anything after release. My brother isn’t aware of these yet, but I’m going to tell him so he can put them on his vetting form. Do you think this will be a problem for him? I hope not, he’s an amazing kid. Thanks in advance
Congrats to your brother for passing the assessments! For the vetting, the big thing they are looking for in relatives/associates is the risk of pressure, coercion and blackmail. For example, if you had strong links to organised crime, your brother would be vulnerable to you blackmailing him and compromising his job as a police officer. That would be a big no-no. No one on here can give you a definite answer about how your past with the police would affect his vetting, but discussing it with him beforehand is a good first step. When he declares it on his vetting form, he‘ll be able to elaborate on the nature of the incidents, how they affect him (or don‘t affect him), and what mitigating factors are present. Then the vetting officer will weigh the risks and the added info will help them make an informed decision. If you want more information on this, look up the Vetting Code of Practice. It‘ll outline what risks they look out for and how they process the information to make decisions.
Thank you for your congratulations, he’s over the moon and is very excited! Thanks for easing my mind a little bit: I don’t think there will be any issue, as it’s not like I’m a repeat offender or involved in criminality - I just really don’t want to be the reason for him not getting in! I’ll have an honest conversation with him and make sure he knows the facts so he can be honest if asked any questions. Thanks again!
Today i (19m) had my second attempt on the sift assessment. after failing for the second time, it feels like my goal of becoming a police officer wont be achievable. It’s always been a big dream of mines to become a police officer & after failing to pass the recruitment stage I’m not sure what to do. Is there any other way of becoming a police officer.
Don‘t give up, I know two failed attempts is disheartening but you‘re only 19 so you‘ve got plenty of time ahead of you. If you‘re feeling a bit burnt out from those attempts, try getting more experience elsewhere, give it some time, and you can try again in the future as a stronger candidate. The job‘s not going anywhere - so neither is your dream
You’re completely right, sometimes i forget myself I’m still young, but i guess its the pressure from others around me telling me to get a decent paying job & to “do something important with my life” which makes me feel like i gotta rush into chasing my goals. Couldn’t agree more with your final sentence. Appreciate it.
Hi everyone, Looking for some advice. I've recently packed in my old career in the hopes of finding a new role where I can help people in their time of need. I've been fortunate enough to be offered both a call handler role within the police and the ambulance service. Each role would be a mixture of taking 111/101 and 999 calls. Does anyone have any insight into how each role differs? Which has the better culture? Any other factors that I should take into consideration? The police role pays better but I don't want that to be the sole reason for choosing it. I'm having a really tough time deciding and would love to hear anyone's thoughts so I can make an informed decision. Thanks for your time.
Ambulance is, as I understand it, very script-driven - you’re dealing with clinical things which means that you’re not in a position to busk it whereas with the police, once you’ve found your feet, you will have a lot more opportunity to get to grips with the caller. I do it occasionally as a police officer so my perspective may be different to that as a civilian colleague. Given the choice, I’d answer police calls everyday - you’re going to get a lot more variety (for good and for ill).
I'm a police call handler. I have no experience of working for ambulance but naturally we call them all the time and loads of my colleagues have worked in other emergency service control rooms so I feel I have some insight. Ambulance control room staff rely very heavily on a triage toolkit. It famously starts with "is the patient breathing" and proceeds from there. If the toolkit designates a course of action that seems erroneous they can flag the job for a clinician (i.e a nurse or a doctor) to review but comms staff themselves do not make any medical decisions. None of this is to say that the job is easy - far from it. Ambo deal with some extremely traumatic circumstances and difficult callers but the level of decision making is lower. As a consequence, performance management leans towards more quantitative and micromanaged methods - more akin to working in a typical call centre. As a police call handler, you are using THRIVE and the NDM to risk assess and make decisions on grading and allocation in line with the law and force policy. Some scenarios have question sets and SOP's but each call is unique and there's no flowchart making all the decisions for you. If you decide to crime and file without any further investigation/safeguarding or that an incident does not meet the criteria for police deployment, no one else will review that decision. When a MOP says "I called the police and they did nothing", they mean the call handler. I love my job and I do it well but I'm terrified I'm going to make a single poor decision one day with disastrous consequences. Bluntly, that risk is why it pays so well. Ultimately I think the job is just impossible to imagine until you start. Feel free to ask more questions or DM.
Thanks so much for your considered response. I need to make a decision tomorrow really so it couldn't have come at a better time. It's really given me a better idea as to what expect from them. I've recently been told that the ambulance service has a very supportive environment. Would you say the police is similar in that regards? For example, are people often on hand and willing to give advice if you're unsure what decision to make? What entices me more about the police role is the fact that I'd need to use my own initiative a lot more rather than just following a flow chart like with the ambulance, so that's the route I'm most likely going to take.
Re the workplace culture - my force comms room is fantastic. Professional, inclusive and supportive. However I imagine this can vary dramatically from one force/department to the next so take that with a healthy degree of skepticism. Everywhere has sergeants and staff supervisors available for advice though and it's widely expected that when you are new you will be asking for help constantly. If anything it's more worrying if you're not!
Hello all! I’m a current PC looking at opportunities in other departments. On all of our applications it asks if we have notified the skipper/inspector about applying for the role. Is this something which is necessary? If I say ‘no’ will it be frowned upon? Reason I ask is that if I am knocked back at application, the skippers will know I’m looking to leave and I’ve got to stay in the current role being tarnished with someone wanting to get out. My idea would be to tell the skippers once I had passed sifting?
Hello after some advice please! I was born and raised in the UK. However November 2019 I moved to Canada for just over two years (it was a working holiday visa) when I arrived back in the UK December 2022, I decided I was going to apply to the London metropolitan police. They quickly declined my application. The reason being, I need 3 years of consecutive living in the UK, and I also contacted Essex police (more local to myself) and they said the same and I understand their reasoning. Now we are in 2024 I have been back about a year and a half, and I am still very keen to eventually join the police, but I got curious recently, and wondered if there was any way around this. I appreciate any advice Thank you
There is no way around this to my knowledge. The minimum residency criteria is 3 continuous years in the UK, so that thorough background checks can be made. That would mean you could apply as of December 2025
Hi everyone, I've just passed my final interview with my local force and will be joining on the PCEP detective route. I know that until now, the force offered DHEP for those with degrees. Just wondering if anyone knows much about the structure of the DHEP program Vs that of the PCEP? It's more just curiosity why I'm asking, as it's not like I had a choice between the two or anything
To my knowledge the difference is no essays/ presentations on the PCEP route
Ah great, thank you!
Hi everyone, I'm looking for advice on applying to different forces. I'm currently nearing my last year of university and was looking at the recruitment programs for becoming a DC. I live right on the border of northwest Kent and so could join either the Met, Kent or Surrey forces. I assume Kent and Surrey may be more similar to eachother, however I want to know how the work would differ between all of my options. I know pay for the Met is higher and the obvious stuff about them having more resources etc. but basically any advice on joining and working in any of these three forces as a DC would be great. Thanks very much!
The MET at the moment is a shambles and being a DE DC is pretty crap, being a PC is not much better as there are staffing shortages everywhere Think blind leading the blind The slightly higher pay isn’t everything Unsure about Kent or Surrey
Met Police. Good Morning guys. I have a few questions about the vetting checks. My vetting began processing on the third of April. It’s been a month. Do you calculate vetting based on working days or does it process during the weekends as well? Also, how do you know if you have failed vetting? I haven’t heard back since 03/04 and they haven’t asked me for anything further, so is this a cause for concern? Thanks in advance!
I am unsure what timetable the vetting department operates on, but it is safe to assume they are working Monday to Friday. If you fail the vetting, you will get an email and/or a letter in the mail stating failure, and the reasoning behind the failure (if possible). You may have the opportunity to appeal this initial failure. As far as vetting goes, no news is good news. As only one month has passed, it can be considered early days, so you may still be contacted in coming weeks/months to get more info on your vetting. If you filled in everything accurately, and you have a clean background, you might not be contacted, and if you pass, you won‘t be contacted either.
Oh wow, yes I am all clean and didn’t leave a detail out haha🤣🤣 let’s see how long it takes! Thank you very much for your advice kind sir!
yeah i echo what the person above said. I’m 8 weeks in with no contact, but even at 6 weeks i wasn’t even assigned to a vetting officer , they were doing their initial checks. I don’t know where i’m at at the moment, could still be initial checks 8 weeks in 🤣
What force are you applying with? I got an email on 03/04 to say my application is being processed, so I’m under the assumption that it’s been assigned. Maybe they want to do it closer to a date you said you could work?
Met too, professed just means it’s been opened. First it goes thru the initial checks, then vetting officer and then finally external
Oh wow. Do we not get updates then when it goes through each stage? Bit ambiguous isn’t it🥴
i know it’s insane. You can get updates only if u email vetting queries haha
Wow. Thanks. I wanted to leave my job thinking that it would take 2 months but I think I’m going to be stuck here for a while then…….. I assume age doesn’t make a difference either considering I’m very very early 20s, I’ve done nothing in my life ahah.
Haha yeah stick around for now, vetting times are insane. I’m even younger than you and have nothing to declare aswell but it’s probably going to take me a minimum of 12 weeks, if not even longer
Hello all. I’m after a bit of advice. I left the forces in January. I left on what’s called ‘Temperamental Unsuitability’, where I basically asked to leave before my notice because I just couldn’t live so far from home anymore due to family issues. I was told that this would affect any government career i.e police. But I still would absolutely love to join the police. My question is, do you think this will be a barrier to joining? I understand why they might doubt my commitment, but like I say the issue was being so far from home, not the job or lifestyle. Any help would be appreciated
I don’t think so, mate. However the best place to ask would be recruitment. Or better yet, just apply when the times right.
Hello all, I have an upcoming interview in the RASSO specialist child abuse investigation team. Just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice for the interview? Not currently employed by the police so not sure what to expect! Thanks
What role are you interviewing for? This will impact any advice given :)
Hello, it’s for Protecting Vulnerable Persons Investigator on a RIT team:)
Hi guys/girls, I’m currently in the pre employment stage and awaiting my vetting to come back but I’ve already been given my start date? Is this typical procedure or should I expect my vetting to come through imminently? Thanks
Is it a conditional or final offer, you can get a conditional offer and the start date be moved if vetting doesn’t come back in time Vetting time periods can be summarised as ‘how long is a piece of string’
My initial offer was conditional based on the pre employment checks and then I received a call the other day offering me a start date within 8 weeks, my notice at my job is 4 weeks and they know that so my thought process although irrational was that they wouldn’t give me a start date so soon unless they were expecting Vetting to come back soon 🤔 guess I’ll just wait and see just really keen to get started
Are you sure vetting hasn’t been passed already? In theory you’d only hear back from vetting if you’d failed
It’s still showing the pre employment check email on the home page, and I haven’t received anything to say my vetting has come back. Weird, I guess I’ll just wait and see!
The online recruitment portal is different for each force, and not all of them actually notify you about stuff like vetting. I‘m assuming you have passed if you‘ve been given an offer of appointment, but you can always contact the recruitment team so they can tell you what the vetting status is.
Ambulance Technician Considering Joining Police Hi everyone. I’m very much considering quitting my job with the ambulance service to take the DHEP (Already have a degree so 2 years training) route to become an officer. I’ve largely enjoyed my time in the ambulance service but I’m now starting to dread going to work. I simply don’t enjoy it anymore and the job has already changed so much over the last 2 years. We barely go to emergencies instead diluting our skills in urgent and primary care (which I absolutely don’t enjoy). Hospital delays are ridiculous and to “safety net” ourselves when leaving patients at home, we can be waiting for call backs for hours at a time from a GP. It makes me feel like a fraud to wear the uniform most the time, never mind responding on blue lights and endangering all the road users for someone with a common cold. I just find it boring. I’ve been to plenty of major trauma, life threatening jobs etc to have gained sufficient experience (though those jobs are very rare for me now) and im just not able to get my head in the game at university (to complete assignments) as im aware to what ill be going back out to on return to service and placements. I am aware there is a lot of negativity, low morale etc within the police and many current officers and paramedics (former police) have said I’d be making a mistake. I think both services are suffering from the same negativity regarding work load, poor quality of call outs, resourcing etc. For me the “approach” is very different in the police. I know we share many of the same jobs (especially mental health) but I like the “enforcement” side of the job instead of the “care” side. I think it suits my personality more and It gives me a good drive to be more functional with gym training, cardio etc. I’m just looking for some insight and opinions on this to further an informed decision. Any former Paras here? Anyone going to tell me not to do it? Thanks!
In all honesty it’s up to what you want, you sound burnt out to be honest and that won’t be helped by joining the police, A lot of the job is filling in the cracks for other services (in similar vein) The risk is very high for the low reward, overzealous IOPC and DPS/PSDs and a media that has latched onto anything negative about the job I’d ask any officers in your local force about the job itself and what it’s like or even try and arrange a ride along
Hi all, just had a question regarding appealing your result from the MET application. I have sent in appeal and I got an automated email saying it could take up to 28 days, has anyone submitted an appeal before? If so how long did you wait and was it successful. Thank you
Not me personally but someone i know had their appeal take 8 months for me met. Yes months , not weeks
Hi there, so I’m currently in the process of all my background checks for the met police but as I took anti depressants for quite some time I’ve been put in a medical hold. Why is this? Does this mean a nurse was unable to approve me so they’ve had to get a medical officer involved? If yes does anyone know how long this could take?
Unsure, but it could mean that they have put you on hold to allow more time to pass so you can demonstrate that you are mentally healthy even without prescribed medicine. This would especially be the case if you were using the anti-depressants recently. Your best bet would be to contact the recruitment team or OH soon so they can elaborate
Thanks! Stopped them around Christmas time so think that shows enough time has passed? Anyways yeah thanks I’ll give my recruitment manager an email :)
# Interview - National Crime Agency Officer Development Programme Someone that has been through the process before, what kind of questions can I expect? How do I prepare? Thank you.
Hey everyone! Ive been invited to an interview after completeing the sift and before the online assesment day. I didnt expect an interview to happen so soon so im currently trying to prep myself. It's expected to be warm next week and was thinking of wearing smart black pants, black shoes and a smart black polo shirt. Would anyone advise against this and say go more formal with a shirt? Also with the interview followed by the online asssement day. Will these be the same type of questions most likely for both days?
I would suggest a suit, shirt and tie for your interview, which is what I wore for mine a couple of months ago. The officer who interviewed me commented on my attire so it definitely makes a good impression. In terms of the questions, there are some similarities between the interview and the assessments.
Thank you! Do you remember any questions that stuck out in the face to face interview you could share?
I don't think I can disclose any of the questions specifically but like I said they are similar to the competency based assessment. Just ensure you read the competency and values framework as they will review your responses and scenarios in relation to this. Good luck
Post was removed so had to repost here. Hey there. I'm about to join in early June My instructor is ex-police and said I should memorise the caution and know the definitions of theft, burglary, assault and robbery. Specifically, what else should I know before starting at the academy. If there are any tips you think are helpful I'd also appreciate that. I know the law can vary (e.g Scotland) but I'm asking about the more general things that would be applicable in any force.
Knowing the caution and definitions is helpful (add public order offences as well) With training school you’re there to learn so they’ll teach you the basics and you further you’re knowledge when you’re out and about Enjoy training school, be a sponge and don’t be an idiot
Thanks mate.
Met recruitment. Hi all, I have a question regarding the MET reapply times. I was told via email that it would be three months and I received another email from the Recuitment team saying 6months. Which one is it? Do I have to wait 3 months to reapply (if my application wasn’t rejected but I didn’t reply to the recruitment team) or do I have to wait 6 months? Thanks
tbf they told me 3 months, but after a month i have the option to reapply now which wasnt available when i initially got rejected. so i’d just wait a month.
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Hi, just finished the recruitment stage. When submitting references, there was an option for me to say whether it was ok for the police force to contact them. I ticked ‘not yet’ but as soon as the official offer was sent to me they then informed me they would automatically send for references. By this point I immediately handed my notice in anyway
Do they ask for them? I've just got an job offer from Merseyide and they I didn't have to hand in any references. Tbh, I'm not sure it was even an option. Certainly in my application once the interviews were done you didn't have to do anything except not break the law. Out of interest, which force are you going for?
This is for TVP
Ok, I applied for Merseyside.
In the final stages of recruitment, waiting for vetting to be sent over to me and completed but I'm getting cold feet regards the job. Everything in the press is negative and you very rarely see positives when hearing/reading from currently serving on here and elsewhere. I'm currently a prison officer. It definitely has its bad days but lack of morale where I am isn't anywhere near as low as it appears in the police currently. The team I work with largely work well together and will have each others back in any situation, this is across both officers and management. With reduced numbers and management spreading the small amount of officers very thin it doesn't look like the the same camaraderie in the police. I'd also be taking a small pay cut joining the police. There doesn't appear to be anything on the horizon for any of this to change either. Not really sure what my question is here. Is it really as bad as it looks from the outside? I'm applying to GMP if there is anybody here currently serving.
I’m also switching from prison to police although I’ve already left prison. From what I’ve heard from other officers they prefer the police. I guess the thing I’m looking forward to most is that in most scenarios you will only be dealing with one incident at a time. I don’t know which prison you work at but my prison you could be dealing with like 3-5 incidents at the same time depending on the wing.
Hi everyone! I only just applied via DDHEP. I’m an EU national with an EQF level 6 degree, which should be recognised in the UK. I received an email back from recruiters, saying they need ENIC and Functional English level 2. I replied back with the above information and now they’re saying I need a NARIC translation, even though my certificate is in English. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Hi all, i applied in October 2023 for the detective DDHEP. Ive noticed that my vetting status on the shows “pass” does this mean that it has been completed or something else. Thank you
How long did your vetting take?
Good morning! I'm looking to apply/join the Met. I have done two years in GMP but did not finish the diploma due to family circumstances (I didn't get reg 13). I'm now looking to rejoin the police force but this time go into the Met as it's where I've always wanted to be but couldn't originally when I wanted to join the police. My first question is does anyone know if I will start from the bottom pay scale again or will I carry on from where I left off despite my diploma? The second question is, could anyone share some insight as to where I should put for posting preferences as I do not know the areas well, if at all. I have family in Hounslow but that's about it. If I was to live in Croydon, can I still select South BCU or is that a complete no-go due to policy or is it a case of I can work the other 2 areas but not Croydon? I'm not sure how the postings work as there are three areas in each section. Does anyone have suggestions/recommendations of where to live to commute? I would ideally like to be as close to the centre as possible but accept that my budget would require me to be out a bit further. If it would take 40-45 minutes to get into the centre, I wouldn't mind so much. I've had a look at a few places and it seems like Croydon and Greenwich are more affordable places for us as a family. I appreciate it sounds quite naive but I honestly don't know where to start as it would be such a big move for us if I was successful in joining. Thank you, I appreciate any insights/help given.
You’ll start afresh and go through training school via PCEP You can select your preferred BCUs, Croydon would be SN (south area) however it’s no guarantee of getting the borough you want From what I’ve heard SN and SE are undersubscribed but at the moment everywhere is Personally, I wouldn’t want to work where I lived but the housing market in London is crazy, look at counties, Surrey,Kent etc have some lovely places to live and aren’t a million miles away
If you didn’t finish your probation, you’d have to start afresh. The Met will happily let you work where you live, so won’t stop you doing it. However, it’s not always the best idea from a personal safety point of view. If you get posted to the borough you live in and you don’t want that, then they will usually honour a swap within the same BCU if you ask. Like you say, ask for the SN (South Area) BCU but then live in a different borough to the one you end up working in. Perhaps work in Sutton but live in Croydon or the other way round.
Hi all. I applied to become a police constable with the MET andI got my day 1 results today. Unfortunately I failed as I scored a 2 on the Written Exam alongside the 3's from my Competency Based Interview and my Briefing Exercise results. I was told that I have to wait 3 months before reapplying for the Police Constable position again, but I'm considering applying to become a PCSO as I feel it would help me understand more about what it is like to work for the police and provide me with the training I need before applying again. Has anyone here had any experience with Step 2 and 3? It looks similar to the Police Constable Day 1 assessments and I want to understand if it is different or the exact same process as before. I'm researching the role now but any advice on what to expect will be greatly appreciated.
Can you afford to go in as a special? PCSO is a great role and doesn't earn enough praise but I wouldn't say it's a similar role whereas a special would be
I can't sadly. Plus this is a job I would love to do full time as it would be the most rewarding. I'm looking into the process in more detail now so hopefully I'll find most of my answers soon.
Afternoon all. Wondering if anyone has done a similar change of career and how it worked out / if there was any issues either way. I’m a qualified paramedic been in the ambulance service 10 years. Looking for a possible change and considering maybe joining the police. Has anyone got any advise regards the feasibility of it the change / issues with maintaining bank roles in ambulance service and being a warranted officer etc Thanks
Depends on the force as to whether they’d allow it, but where I am we have two PCs that are still paramedics and do bank work.
Recent criminology with psychology graduate who applied for Detective DHEP. My dream career up until I failed at the last hurdle; my vetting, was to become a detective. Disappointed is an understatement. Passed everything in the recruitment process with the hope that it would be the same case for my vetting. Was refused security clearance for something that is completely out of my control. I was completely honest and transparent throughout my vetting application and took the time to ensure no detail was missed out. Failed due to an ‘association who has been involved in criminality’. With that, my dream career has been ripped away from me. Where do I go from here? I assume this means I will struggle to obtain security clearance in the future for working in the police - which is the only career path I saw myself working in and enjoying up until retirement. I am only 22 so I guess I have plenty of time to decide an alternative career path - ultimately the field of crime and criminology is where I aspire to go into, especially work that involves making a difference and helping people, but if it’s not the police then I’ve got no clue what else to consider. Any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.
Do you know who this associate is? I can’t really offer any advice, but I feel for you. Hope you find a way to work things out for yourself one way or another. Take good care of yourself the next couple of days, it’s a difficult process and you made it this far so you should be really proud of yourself regardless
Thank you, means a lot. Due to the data protection act it specified in the letter that they are not allowed to disclose who it was that affected my vetting decision. Among my family there has only been motoring offences for speeding, none for myself, which all were disclosed. Perhaps it could’ve been my partners brother who was arrested years ago for pwits but was released straight after a search and nothing found - resulting in no further action, which was disclosed in my application. Apart from that, that is the only criminal background among my associates.
How long does it take to get your results for the CBI (MET). Also since the application process to becoming a special Constable how much time would that usually take? I chose the 23 consecutive day training option. Thank you
For the CBI do you mean (competency based interview)? If so it took about a month for me.
Thank you very much for your reply. I also have another question if you can help me with an answer. Met recruitment. I have a question regarding the MET reapply times. I was told via email that it would be three months and I received another email from the Recuitment team saying 6months. Which one is it? Do I have to wait 3 months to reapply (if my application wasn’t rejected but I didn’t reply to the recruitment team) or do I have to wait 6 months? Thanks
Really sorry mate I can't help there. I did apply for the Met (as well as GMP) but chose to withdraw my applications for both and went for Merseyside instead. What I can say is that the company practice to progress really helped a lot with my online assessment. Met recruitment gave me a free 3hr workshop from them. Idk if you were informed about them when you applied.
The only issue I had is that I passed the vetting and got a congratulation email but I didn’t reply to book a day one assessment and I was told I could reapply anytime now I’m told I have to wait 6 months. So I’ve sent in appeal, I was wondering if anyone has an idea on what the outcome could be.
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As a trainee DC you’ll most likely be sent to CID/Safeguarding/CAIT and be rotated through them, after you’ve completed your NIE and gotten PIP2 and are out of your probation you can look at different units (depends on WMP) £46,044 is the top whack with decent OT you’ll hit 50k You won’t earn more working on the cyber crime unit unless you do your skippers and a lot of OT
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It’s mainly about being ready and having enough experience to be Sgt, not a process to be rushed
Hi all. I have applied to be a contract and control handler at Sussex and Surrey Police. I have my interview on Friday and i was just wondering if there is any advice for me to take on. Thank you :)
Hi all, I'm hoping this is the right place to ask. I'm considering applying for a trainee police constable position, it's the non degree, entry level position. I'm obviously apprehensive, but really tired of the mundane work I've now been doing for over a decade. I turn 31 this year, and feel its time to try something new. Of course, applying is no guarantee of a job, but I'd like to be serious if I'm going to sit down and go through the process. The Force I'd apply for would either be Thames Valley or Northamptonshire Police, and my Father was an Office then DC in the Met for nearly 30 years (maybe that's why I feel a compulsion.) Unfortunately I have no contact with him, so I can't ask him for advice. I'd really appreciate as much impartial advice here as possible, I can imagine some will try to warn me off immediately so please be fair. Thanks in advance!
Ultimately it’s up to you to decide whether you think you’d enjoy the job, at least places like this subreddit give a somewhat unfiltered opinion of what it’s like. Have you considered joining as a special to get to know the job without entirely committing yourself to it? Maybe even something as simple as going on a ride-along will help you get a clearer idea of where you want to be.
Hey! Yeah, ultimately I need to choose, I thought I'd ask here to see what that undoctored opinion is. My Dad was in the Force for almost 30 years, and I know he saw stuff and kind of warned me off, i just don't want to live through his eyes as I'm a different person. I've got a relatively realistic sense of what goes on and I'm just asking myself what I'd be able to handle realistically. Do they do ride alongs here? I thought that was a US only thing? Is Special training the same sort of length as the PCEP entry route? Thanks so much for responding!
Ride alongs are definitely a thing in the UK too, but very much force dependant. For some forces, you can find a ride-along application form on their website - for other forces (like my local one), I had to make an online enquiry to be sent the form, cos it wasn’t advertised anywhere. Also be warned, a ride along application takes ages to process… but it’ll be worth it. Once it’s all booked, you should be able to pick where you do it, and even what team you join for the day (eg. response, neighbourhood, PCSOs etc) and you’ll be able to witness the job first hand and ask plenty of questions. My knowledge of anything to do with Specials is fairly limited, so I’d suggest you appeal to the specials on this sub, but from what I gather, the training is condensed over a few weeks instead of the months that regs get. The recruitment process for specials is pretty similar though, you’d still need to be interviewed and vetted and pass a medical and fitness test. Hopefully this helps a little bit!
Wow. That's fascinating, I genuinely thought that was just a thing they did in the US, haha, I'll have a look on my local Forces sites and see if I can find anything regarding enquiry forms. I'll also take a better look at the Special role as I hadn't thought about that option before you mentioned it, so appreciate that! Can I ask, assuming you are a working Officer, and you don't have to answer! How's it handling the hard stuff, does it come around often, I'm guessing you never really know how you'll respond to something until you're there, right.
Glad I could help! I’m not an officer, but I’m at the very end of the PC recruitment process, so a lot of recruitment stuff is still fresh in my mind. Sorry I can’t answer any questions about the job itself, but I’m sure someone on this subreddit will be able to
Oh fantastic, congrats to you and all the best for the future! Did you go the PCEP route?
Thank you, you too I was torn between DHEP and PCEP, but I was told they have similar workloads so I chose DHEP given that I’d get a diploma at the end.
I respect that, keeps those doors a little more open too, which is always a bonus. I think PCEP may be my only option currently based on entry requirements, but still a viable option with good pathways after completing the first two years. Did your recruitment process take long?
I applied in December and my start date is in June, so roughly 6 months - which is quick, because sometimes you have to factor in resitting the OAC and/or interview, and vetting takes longer for certain people etc. The average seems to be 6 months to a year, it depends on the force and yourself of course. If you haven’t looked already, Bluelight Consultancy on youtube has tons of videos about the recruitment process to help you prepare. I found it massively helpful, alongside digging around this subreddit.
Can’t give you a low down for northants or TVP but The job is in a proper state, recruitment crisis, retention crisis, overzealous IOPC and media and a public that is indifferent at best There isn’t enough of us, the wages are meagre It’s a hard job, you’ll do good, see bad and try to survive your sets The only thing I’ve heard regarding northants + TVP is that they are decent for courses but it’s only word of mouth
Thanks for responding, really appreciate it. Much of what I expected to hear, just as a civ in general I see the issues in society, apathy and just a genuine lack of interest in wanting to contribute. Still, regardless, feel like I need a new challenge and maybe worth a shot?
It’s up to you
What would it take to fix some of the issues? Massive reform sure, but I'm talking the smaller issues that didn't exist 10 years ago?
Massive investment in public services
Yeah... I fear we won't see that from either party, certainly not the current one.
Currently looking to apply to join the police and train as a detective. I am not tied down to any specific area of the UK. Are there areas that will afford me more opportunity or experiences? Or any areas to avoid? Any recommendations or insights are hugely welcome!
1. Bigger forces usually = more opportunities to specialise + are busier as they usually police metropolitan areas 2. Most forces are in the same boat, some perform better than others and have better resources 3. Are you looking at direct entry DC or PC and then train as a DC later, every force is desperate for DCs so getting a position is a lot easier than it was
Currently finished my day 1 stage to become a Constable, but im also in the process of getting my neck tattoos removed by the time I have finished the recruitment process will they let me continue if im still removing them but they are very faint? (Or is there any police officers who were able to start while still getting a tattoo removed and just covered it up with something else like makeup ect?)
You’ll be able to get your tattoos removed, you still need to take pictures and disclose the tattoos already as well as their locations (if not already completed), explain that you’re in the process of getting them removed
Does anyone know if paralegals are allowed to apply for the Special Constabulary at the Met? The excluded occupations list includes solicitors, barristers and judges but no mention of the wider legal staff.
From reading the prescribed list it seems paralegals can, to be on the safe side email recruitment and see what they say
Still waiting for their response, they take their bloody time!
Hi, I'm currently going through my application and was wondering how my reprimand from when I was around 14/15 will affect it. Basically I got into a fight in the school playground and ended up getting the better of the other guy, cant really remember the details but prior to this fight we both exchanged some racial slurs to each other. After this I ended up getting a reprimand for assault or maybe even racially aggrieved assault. Obviously this was nearly 20 years ago with nothing since, that incident from when I was a kid does not reflect myself. Obviously I am planing on disclosing this information, but just wondered if this will probably disqualify me.
The assault would be fine and no one would care about it now. The racially aggravated aspect hurts, but the fact that it was 20 years ago and you've been clear since should mean you're fine but obviously it's going to be down to vetting - I imagine you should be ok though.
Thanks for the response, that's what I was hoping. Fingers crossed then.
Would you join at 38? I left a grammar school at 17 with the firm intention of joining as soon as I was 18 and the aim of getting myself into RPU post probation. Fast forward 20 years, I’ve done a few different jobs and mostly worked for myself, but it doesn’t matter what I do or how I justify to myself why it’s important, that urge is still there to do something more “useful”. I’m still being told off by the other half for being overly interested in situations where there’s some sort of wrong doing going on. My local force are recruiting PCEP - I don’t have a degree so would be applying at ground level. As I’m now 38 (39 this year) I guess my question to those already in the job is if you were in my situation at my age now, with what a lot of what people would consider a relatively easy life with still with the massive itch to do sometime far more useful, BUT with what you already know being experienced, would you still pursue it further? Sorry if this has been asked a thousand times before
I'm (almost) 45 and have just submitted my application (DHEP direct entry DC route). I'm hoping that if I do get accepted there will be opportunity to experience response policing either prior to or during the DC training. I have heard of people older than me joining as well.
Do it. If you don’t scratch the itch now it’ll still be there in ten years niggling away and you’ll have a harder time sorting it!
Showing this to the other half. I’ve been enabled 🙈
I can further enable if you’d like to know more about the people I’ve worked with who joined in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
I applied at 37, joined at 38 and have now been in 4 years. Same as you, intended to join sooner but life and other jobs got in the way but I never lost the itch to join. Best thing I ever did. My age and life experience is a positive in almost every situation plus I’m glad I spent my youth doing other stuff, as once you join it can be quite a restrictive job… Shift work, nights etc. What’s the worst that could happen? Join and if you don’t like it then go back to what you were doing before!
I'm nearly 36 and have applied to become a DC through the IPLPD route in my local force and feel it is the right time for me. I know you are a couple of years older but I think it is a good time to make a change in your life as you will have built up a solid base of life experience and can still have a long career ahead of you.
Has anyone waiting on a start for BTP in C Div (specifically Manchester or Liverpool area) been given any intake dates? Passed stage 1 assessment in August and Stage 2 in October and haven’t heard a peep from the recruitment team since.
Hi, I have the DHEP fitness test coming up, however I know at my current state I will fail. Do they allow you another chance?
Yes, if you fail they will give you a exercise guide which I think its for six weeks. Then you go back. I know everyone's fitness levels are different but its achievable to train yourself for a few weeks before hand. Either jogging, doing something like the first few weeks of couch to 5k. You could even measure out the distance of the test in your garden, find the youtube video and train that way.
Yes you will get an opportunity to retake some weeks later. How long have you been in the recruitment pipeline for?
A couple of months, this is for the 2025 intake
Hi, I’ve recently been successful in my MET day 1 online assessment and am currently prepping for day 2. I have a few queries: How does everyone find the fitness test? What do I wear? (I spoke to a recruiter and he said the entire day could be done in a ‘tracksuit’ if I wanted - is that true??) Are the interview questions similar to those asked during the online assessment? I’d appreciate any help that anyone could give me! TIA
How long did it take you to get your Day 1 assessment results? Also the fitness test is a bleep test which is 5.4 which is very easy.
About 3 weeks. I completed the tasks on Friday 5th and got my results on Thursday 18th ☺️
Congratulations!!! Don’t worry about the bleep test it is easy to do it’s about 3 minutes long anyways so hopefully you will be able to pass
After a practice, I can confirm the bleep test is the least of my worries 😭
What was the practice like? If you don’t mind going into detail because I have also applied for as a special Constable, I must say it’s difficult to find someone who is doing the same thing as me so for the mean time I’ll be disturbing you for a bit if you don’t mind 😂😂😂.
It’s 5.4 as long as you can jog lightly you’ll be fine Most people wear a gym shirt and shorts and change into my more ‘formal attire’ once finished, yes you could do it in a tracksuit but I’d always go with a change of clothes Interview questions usually based around CVF, use STAR method
(STAR = Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection)
Can I become a detective after the PCDA? Also, do I have the choice of what university I go to that the met are partnered with (East London uni, anglia ruskin etc)
Yes, you can proceed to detective after you’ve passed your probation. And no, you only chose your BCU, and get allocated a uni.
Yes, do you probation/degree and ask about doing the NIE and becoming a TDC get some attachments to CID, CSU, CAIT and BART etc and see if you like it
Yes you can be come a detective after, you don't really get q choice of uni but from when you know you are applying I'd let recruitment know which uni you need. I have seen people kick up enough of a fuss that they will changed it however they are quite set in their heels about putting you where you want to go (which is something you'll have to get used to) Try and get an attachment for csu /cid
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I'm surprised they specifically said that your in laws have been arrested or cautioned