Joining the Police is my ultimate ambition, however, only being 18, 'life experience' (or lack of) is a big obstacle for me. I'm in two minds as to what I should do.

The regs is probably out of the question (I only have two years Customer Service experience, which probably isn't enough to even bother applying), so for the experience I thought I would either join the Specials or go into the Forces.

If I applied for the Specials and enjoyed it, I would probably hold down a civvy job for a year or two while in the Specials and then apply to the regs.

My other plan is to go into the RAFP for 12 years, and then apply for the regs upon leaving. However, it's 14 months before I can go into the RAFP (already started applying, but final year at college to go before I can join). So, I was thinking that I should join the Specials in that 14 month gap, but I don't know if such a short service would be frowned upon...I am willing to give 8 or even 16 hours a week to Police work if it would help.

Any advice welcome!

Generally i think most forces would look for 2 years service as this covers the costs involved in uniforms / training etc . There is no requirement to sign a contract for length of service as a special . " snowdrop " Hmm , better than it used to be now they have dropped guarding gates but still not as erm * chooses words carefully * action based as you may expect . How well have you looked into the RAFP ?

I have spoken to a few RAFP Officers, the recruitment guys at the AFCO gave me stick for wanting to join though.

I know it's mostly security related, but you do still get good policing experience from D&D, and the occassional crime. They even have a dog section now too.

Oh yeah , im not knocking them its just not as fast paced as HO police forces and if your " bigger picture " is to join a home office force then i think the specials route may be better suited . Police forces are looking to recruit officers from a full spectrum of ages , so your age won't go against you but you will need to prove to the recruitment dept that you are as good a potential officer as someone perhaps twice your age ( this is where " life experience " comes in ). If however the military life appeals to you then you wont get much better than RAFP ( if your gonna police the forces better to police the " gentlemans " army )

My advice to you is to join the Specials first.

When I was a Beat Officer, I was one of a few Regular Officers who had responsibillity for tutoring new Specials who joined the force. The ones I tutored ALL succesfully went on to join the regulars. I must say they were all as keen as mustard.

Commissioner may know more BUT I have heard that some Forces are doing direct entry from the specials into the regulars???????

GOOD LUCK THOUGH WHATEVER YOU DECIDE

Richie

Is this true ?? where ?? Please tell me it is so

Cheers for that DW, I await to hear from Commissioner then!

Hello there!

Unfortunately, I do not know of any force which allows direct entry into the regs from the Special's - would be good though! Being in the Specials has no official advantages but it can be useful when asked for examples and scenarios in the competency based questions and the experiences you get from it are great PLUS it gives you an insight to what policing in a HO force will be like and you'll be working along side regular officers doing what they do.

There may well be some forces out there which do this, but I have not heard of any. Certainly the MET don't anyway.


Jonathan

Well I sent off my app. for the BTP Specials today. Will keep you all informed of how it goes. Any advice appreciated!

Good Luck!

Ditto that Commissioner!!!

Good luck!! Is the BTP not like sort of boring job? maybe someone could explain what they actually do, and im not beingsarky or nothing, i dont no what they do

The BTP police the UK rail network including the underground. They deal with the same things as any other police force, but have the additional problems of terrorism on the rail network to contend with.
I have every respect for them.

Intersting!! Will have to check that out!! Cheers mate!!

Well i checked it out!! Sounds good! Now dont think im putting the job down or anything, but what type of a day would a officer in h BTP have? I know there are no real average days for officers, but a general idea?

Cheers

Rob