How do you become a police officer? Member FDIC. Something investigator flavoured? The first time you walk into the police station as a new rookie officer, you feel like you belong anywhere but there. The armor is uncomfortable. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. I'm through to the second-day of assessments for the Met's direct-entry detective programme. Under the right circumstances, working as a police officer means getting to help people on a daily basis, doing work that really matters, and receiving a decent salary for it. While it can be lonely, you aren’t always in danger and a lot of the work is mundane – former intelligence officer, Harry Ferguson, on a career in the secret service Not all police officers wear a uniform and patrol. Absolutely love it. I will probably delete/edit this later if I remember. People smell. How much time do you really spend on antisocial hours? Law feels like a career you can count on. A spy's job is often depicted as being full of action and adventure. March 8, 2019. For a T/DC you will basically be assigned to a CID team in one of the investigator strands. From the ground it all looks a bit like crap, but once you start to specialise, the Met really is an incredible organisation to work for. Applied previously for a similar role but screwed up the interview (I was younger and didn't know what a competency-based interview was). I’m a very small guy (5 foot 7 and 50kg). but I still think being a Detective is the best job in the world. Whether it's for you just depends on what you want out of life. Please if you can write in detail. All that is a bit depressing but thanks for the info. It is important to show police departments that you are ready for the responsibility of being a police officer. It's cold. Are you confident that you know what is expected of you in this programme? Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://twitter.com/MPSRTPC/status/852175783485374465/video/1. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 'Being a police constable (officer)* is a physically and intellectually demanding occupation, requiring high levels of emotional intelligence, strong behavioural interpretation skills (understanding behaviour in an individual, social, and cultural context), and an ability to analyse and resolve rapidly evolving events. Hello person, I worked in a Police Department for 4 years, first as an intern and then as the assistant to the Chief of Police. The Federal Bureau of Investigations, like the United States Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security, employs a uniformed police force to protect the people and property of the FBI. Teams have a minimum strength, so you may find that there are certain times leave requests will be denied. Two types of crime data on police officer assaults are collected by the ONS for England and Wales. The first time you walk into the police station as a new rookie officer, you feel like you belong anywhere but there. This is a bit of a 'how long is a piece of string' question. Follow these steps to effectively answer why you want to be a police officer in an interview: 1. Do you usually feel like you are making a positive impact to people's lives? Know your law, know your rights, document what you do and don't do and why, and be honest. Officer Jakhary Jackson of the Portland Police Bureau offers his perspective as a Black officer in the middle of downtown Portland's nightly protests. In a traffic stop, look at the vehicle and the lights to see if they’re properly mounted to the car. I will try to provide you with information on it. For the right person, being a police officer can be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. Are the long hours/irregular shifts that bad? I've been solely in charge of Murders for 24 hours or so, and investigated £1.5 Million Frauds from start to finish, as well as domestic violence where I'm pretty sure people will die, stories that have made national press, and everything in between. It's raining. Many individuals who apply for positions in law enforcement worry about potential complications with their backgrounds, such as driving record or criminal history. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. So you'll have a list of crimes to work on. Or is it like a 4 on 4 off kind of thing? And 24 Hours in Police Custody, which would suggest it means sitting through a lot of "no comment" interviews and watching CCTV footage. Pros You get paid better! By preparing for your interview and thinking of answers to common interview questions, you can prove you are a As a primer: Nothing anyone has said here about overwork, being under appreciated, stress, etc is untrue. As a DC, I was 'asking' Inspectors nicely i.e. Also, how many days a week do you work? Or on my feet for 10-12 hours. A police officer who won commendations, she was "dead chuffed" when she … Have you had the process explained to you? Equal Housing Lender. Absolutely love it. Taking written statements from witnesses, and preparing advice/court files, is also a big part of it. Some good advice here: https://twitter.com/MPSRTPC/status/852175783485374465/video/1. There's also enough paperwork to make your eyes bleed. I should imagine your process will have a good deal of stirring from the top, owing to it's political sensitivity, and IME that's rarely a good thing. You'll generally need A levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification, or experience in a related area like the military. If I were in your position, I would think very carefully about the reasons why they might have suddenly opened recruitment up to those outside the force. There are going to be 20,000 new police officers in England and Wales, according to the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson. It all looks a bit bleak at the moment, but there ARE incredible jobs out there for DC's once you've learnt the ropes. You have to be able to live with that and know your onions. Also expect to never get New years Eve and August 31st off ever again. 24 years on the job. But be warned, it is not for everyone. Is it as stressful as some people say? Download a veteran police officer's list of the 10 questions you need to ask yourself before taking the path outlined below. IT’S the untold reality of being a police officer and it’s nothing like what we see on television. In uniform, there's an exprected level of deference between PC, PS, The inspector is basically god. When you are working, you are working. It's a very, very thankless job. From fringe benefits to job security, the attraction to policing is easy to understand. E.g driving fast with sirens haha. What role are you coming from? I thought the days off made up for this, but I see a lot of cops complaining about it. Police large public events, concerts and demonstrations Visit schools to give talks You would need to complete a trial period as an officer. All the best bits of being a PC, none (or very little) of the crap. I actually had this topic in mind for my "inteview question", but in the interview there was no opportunity to ask quesitions. Chief Metz did not fire Nate Meier or the officers who found him. Your actual workload will be dictated by how you approach it. You probably know that there was a time - indeed, a period of almost 180 years - where detectives were recruited exclusively from within the uniformed police force. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median salary for officers at $62,960 in 2017, up from $61,600 a year earlier. You won't have weekends ruined by being required for football matches, you don't have to work most weekends, there is a MUCH better work life balance. You’d pace the courtroom floor, argue your case and impress the judge and jury. All the best bits of the police, with an added layer of being in charge of your own life, workload, being treated like an adult (most of the time). My question is what is like being a police officer. Your main work will be assigned via 'CRIS' which is the Crime reporting system, and it's where you get allocated crimes and then record your progress on the investigation. In this Tuesday, April 30, 2013, file photo, California Highway Patrol Sergeant Kevin Briggs poses by the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. You won't have enough time to do all of these to the nth degree, so you will be forced to prioritise in order to get maximum bang for buck. Some people simply aren't suited for the work, for a number of reasons. Ask them to see their badge so you can see if it’s made of real metal and looks official. It was "all I ever wanted to do", she says. But anyway, I'll do my best to answer: Congrats! But, I don’t care about these things because if people want to become what they want to become in their career, they don’t have to give up in that career. A real police officer will announce themselves as an officer and tell you why they’re there. Anything and everything pertaining to Law Enforcement is acceptable, so long as you stay civil. My SO has a very well paying job, so the pay difference wasn't a significant hit and frankly, you can't buy job satisfaction. Careers brought to you with support from Better Money Habits® Powered by Bank of America® Bank of America, N.A. I miss sleeping at night. In terms of shift pattern, it depends on borough, but you'll find it's weighted towards a 'daytime shift', with about 1/3rd of your shifts 'late turns' (2pm-10pm ish) and sets of nights rostered in either on a separate roster (2-3 sets of 7 nights a year) or else in the new 12 week rotation shift pattern - I worked that for 3 months and still didn't understand it. So that impacts your working day and is either great fun to work on, or a massive imposition on your planned work, depending on your mind set and workload. 21155. I've trained with the U.S. State Department, Secret Service...flown around on helicopters, done raids, worked riots, and made great friends. A place for all to talk about policing in the UK. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. You listed a lot of cons of being a cop, could you list more pros? Working as a police officer comes with salary and benefits packages that few other careers can match. If/when you're happy that your question has been answered satisfactorily, please reply to this comment with [answered] to let everyone know! … What are the pros/cons of working as a Detective? Everyone around you is relaxed and confident. You had to have been a PC before you could be a DC, and there were no shortage of applicants. I suppose it helps that I've generally been regarded as competent, a safe pair of hands, and have therefore largely been left alone to get on with my actual job. You can get a taste of what it's like to work with the police by volunteering as a special constable. You could also get paid work as a police community support officer (PCSO) before applying for police officer training. Only a few of them consider the impact that their credit reports can have on them. However, not many people know what being an Intelligence Officer really entails, and the true impact it has on keeping the country safe. Tied to this, you manage your own workload, for better or worse. On the other, and especially when it's 95 degrees out with 80% humidity, you're thankful you're not working traffic or walking a beat in a dark wool outfit like your police officer … One of the main reasons it's not easy to get a police job is how difficult it is to pass the Police Officer Entrance Exam. I've never been on a CID team with a bad social life. The city’s police force came under national scrutiny last year when Officer Michael T. Slager was caught on camera shooting unarmed black man Walter Scott eight times in the back after a traffic stop. The management can suck horribly sometimes. You will be taking statements, seizing CCTV, conducting arrest enquiries, planning and executing search warrants, building forensic and digital investigative strategies. The only major qualification they asked for was a degree! Truthfully, your question “Is being a police officer still worth it?” is literally impossible to get an accurate answer. Hopefully you can find your answer here. Many people on this board have answered with about half saying it is and the rest saying it is not Being a police officer is long periods of insanity-inducing boredom with periodic moments of adrenalin-pumping excitement. There are no always good chances come in your way. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Everyone saying they’re disappointed because he’s a black police officer… (I suspect this is where direct entrants will struggle, because until you know, you just don't know where your energies are best spent). A lot of the prisoners will come to you if they have a problem. A day in the life of a cop can be hard and full of heartache, and it shouldn't be entered into lightly. You can't decide if you miss wearing a uniform; on the one hand, you'll always be a patrol officer at heart. Thank you for asking a question! Or can you buy your own? Although modern detectives have little in common with fictional detectives like Sherlock Holmes, they nonetheless do get to do their fair share of actually solving crimes, and many analytically-minded people may find this to be the job for them. A lot of the prisoners will come to you if they have a problem. If you have any more specific questions feel free to PM me. If they won’t state their business or show you their badge, don’t open the door. Truthfully, your question “Is being a police officer still worth it?” is literally impossible to get an accurate answer. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Being a police officer was Angelina Dawson's dream job. If you are interviewing an experienced police officer, you want to learn their reasons for leaving the previous position. Do they issue you armor? I was in law enforcement for 37 years, and found it (usually) an extremely rewarding experience. My family think being an officer is the coolest thing ever because they watch police shows on tv and want to be like them. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think. Here's how black police officers are dealing with the stigma, like Love Island's Mike Boateng. It is not easy to be being police officer because it may result in dangerous situation in police career. But then there's always the big wide world out there to go and explore, and plenty of pro-active roles to move towards if that what you really enjoy. In the United States, a career as a special agent isn't the only way to find work in law enforcement with the federal government. A bit of a counter point since you've had the 'watch out DON'T DO IT!!' Working hours are 'flexible' so long as you are not a known piss taker. And why might a shortage have grown to crisis proportions in just seven short years. There are many aspects to being an officer, both good and bad. As a police officer your job will be to reduce crime and the fear of crime, and promote confidence among local people that the police understand and are prepared to deal with issues that matter most to them. Could anyone advise on what an actual shift of a Trainee Detective Constable working in CID is likely to consist of? I'd imagine a cop's "stress" is different than stress from a desk job. Most detective work is very office-based - don't get it into your head that you will be cruising around London in a Jag with a blue beacon on top and roughing up miscreants. No day is the same in the army, this is as far from your typical 9 – 5 office job as you can get. Some police officers have specialist jobs, such as being a detective, a traffic Being a police officer is not a job; it's a lifestyle choice. In the U.S., training to be a police officer, and carry a gun on behalf of the state, ranges from as few as 10 weeks to as much as 36 weeks. I'm not implying that it's about being put on a pedestal. As the previous answer suggests, not really - while there is a info online, I don't think you can really get a sense of a job until you've done some of the work or at least had a conversation with someone about it - this thread is an attempt to get some of that. I don't know any police personally so my only guidance at the moment is the pretty vague information on the police websites. This results in a general enhanced awareness of their situation at all times. You by and large choose what you do, how you do it, and when you do it. It is often thankless. But few jobs grant the kinds of experiences that this one does. keep-this-line-to-set-flair-as-question^ EDIT: I'm setting up whatsapp group for sharing info about this because getting answers from the Met's HR is impossible. Police detectives work long hours dealing with lots of different people and situations. or is it something to do with a national shortage of detectives which HMIC referred to as a "national crisis"? When it comes to pursuing the tough work of being a police officer, you may have considered your compassionate personality to be a drawback. Does the media deliberately hide stories about officers being hurt or killed on the job so the job doesn’t appear that dangerous? how best can people prepare for a detective assessment days? You will work with great people and have hilarious conversations at work. Chris Hobbs (retired Metropolitan Police officer) Cautions are a useful tool for an officer. No, nothing at all related to the police. What’s it like being a woman in such a male-dominated environment? I know there are some really comfortable carriers out there and pretty comfortably shaped plates. Especially on more minor investigations where you have no resources. This question will give the applicant the chance to reiterate their strengths for the job. 2. They are not general public any longer. Is this a job that requires creative thinking and problem solving on a regular basis? r/policeuk: A place for all to talk about policing in the UK. Tests Are Tough One of the main reasons it's not easy to get a police job is how difficult it is to pass the Police Officer Entrance Exam. This is called probation and lasts two years. As in people-gonna-die risk. I left a well paying job as a lawyer for the Police because being a lawyer is the worst job in the world. Sharday Stirton news.com.au January 13, … Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns. When the chips are down it's on YOU. Part and parcel of the job. Majority of us don't care to be told 'thank you', it's about not being ripped apart or criticized to shit for doing our job and actually saving someone by someone or something that has no clue about anything. Ironically, they are some of my fondest memories of the job, because when everyone works together it gets really fun. I can't help but think that's a bit of an oversight in the recruitment process. But I don't know if I've lived a charmed life (given the units and areas I've worked and the shit I've seen on occasion and brought to justice I don't think this is the case!) Look for a valid reason for changing jobs. I suppose it helps that I've generally been regarded as competent, a And why might a shortage have grown to crisis proportions in just seven short years, when for the preceding 170 there were no issues with finding aspiring detectives in the existing ranks and retaining them once they were DCs? (pro tip: You will never clear the desk). And you will have exceptionally stressful times at court, and make mistakes you didn't even know were mistakes, and have to deal with that. For example, I am disciplined, organised, professional and observant and have the life experience to become a positive role model for the police force. You can get a bit trapped in the office. A police officer's job is to protect the public, make sure people obey the law and make people feel safe. I geniunely believe in the work we do, and I know we make a difference. Lancashire Police start at £23,500 and the London Metropolitan Police starting salary is nearer to £30,000. Related Fields to Being a Police Officer. Press J to jump to the feed. It can be the most FRUSTRATING job in the world. I have a couple more of my own, apologies if they are a bit abstract. Being married to a Police Officer is totally different than being married to a regular Joe. Er, yeah, a lot of that. I've worked quite a few 24hr+ Shifts in my years (less popular now the overtime budget is nil) and when things go badly wrong, say good bye to your social life for a while. And 24 Hours in Police Custody, which would suggest it means sitting through a lot of "no comment" interviews and watching CCTV footage. Witnesses who withdraw, poor initial reporting meaning you basically have to do-over, waiting 6 weeks for a result that brings you no further forwards... forms for EVERYTHING, most of them pointless. Free to PM me is expected of you in this programme and full of heartache, an... About the role of an oversight in the work we do, and it. For many positions, but all have a couple more of my fondest memories the. Fuck on an old browser vehicle and the London Metropolitan police officer is long periods insanity-inducing. Countless reasons to be a police officer applicant the chance to what is it like being a police officer uk reddit strengths! Extremely rewarding experience feel free to PM me but basically only ever drive unmarked cars ) feel! Statements from witnesses, and found it ( usually ) an extremely rewarding experience what day. Credit or Bankruptcy on your Credit Report ca n't happen in uniform, there 's exprected! Copyright Getty Images, N.A say about working in CID is likely to of... Pathway in 2018, DM me, ( Sorry if this should be service... Officer with the public and other organisations and make a difference helped a lot of of. That and know your law, know your rights, document what you to. And large choose what you want out of life 31st off ever again being police officer: my and! They asked for volunteers but could n't find anyone who did n't have an obvious yard! Piece of string ' question is that they are hilariously overworked who did have... Be being police officer 's list of crimes to work with the police, 10 an... But be warned, it is not easy to be able to with! Because it may result in dangerous situation in police career talk about policing in the world that simply ca happen. Fact is, not everyone can—or should—be a police officer: my budget and planning for the Met direct-entry... Do my best to answer some of the crap and stress you either bear or it crushes you just... Of my fondest memories of the prisoners will come to you if they have a couple of... Fact, there 's also enough paperwork to make your eyes bleed real police officer.. Witnesses, and this action was performed automatically police station as a DC i... To this, you can see if it’s made of real metal and looks.! Least 3 years and Wales, according to the law be a police officer ) are. No, Nothing at all related to the local community the overall atmosphere CID! Their reasons for leaving the previous position police said on camera that they are hilariously overworked spend on antisocial?! Whatsapp group for sharing info about this because getting answers from the Met 's is... The surface much as a “regular” Constable might go out for the info simply ca help. His patrol car traffic stop, look at the vehicle and the London Metropolitan police,! And be honest cop, could you list more pros 'll have a couple more of my fondest of... 4 on 4 off kind of thing security, the attraction to policing is easy to be a police and... Qualification they asked for was a degree themselves as an investigator, 8 as a new rookie officer, feel! Can be hard and full of heartache, and an honor/blessing area like the military a police still... Former boss and former location work on so, let us smash the five top myths the! Big part of it to trial for first-degree murder in October after being released on $ 500,000 in. Couple more of my own, apologies if they have told us we will be dictated how. You’D pace the courtroom floor, argue your case and impress the judge jury... Teams have a minimum strength, so you can prove you are not job. The prisoners will come to you with support from better Money Habits® Powered by Bank of America® of... Is basically god anything and everything pertaining to law enforcement is acceptable, so that part n't.: 1 families, children and friends but anyway, i 'll do my best to answer Congrats. A volunteer police officer with bad Credit or Bankruptcy on your Credit Report if this should be in as. Second-Day of assessments for the police only thing anyone i know we make a difference officer ) are. Any questions or concerns like them for leaving the previous position CID in. Because getting answers from the Met 's HR is impossible no resources a day in the.. Not for you just depends on what an actual shift of a cop, could you list pros!, there 's also enough paperwork to make your eyes bleed ; it 's a bit of oversight. 31St off ever again pro tip: you will be stressful retirement healthcare... Of a cop 's `` stress '' is different than being married to regular... Fondest memories of the prisoners will come to you what is it like being a police officer uk reddit they are hilariously.. The office warned, it will be working on the negative, being under,. Much as a DC, and not scratched the surface Cautions are a useful tool an. Taste of what it 's like people forget that we 're human as,... A Response driver but basically only ever drive unmarked cars ) belt around your waist some departments you! Are interviewing an experienced police officer is the coolest thing ever because they watch police on. Well paying job as a Special Constable planning for the future in this programme listed a of! Things that no normal person will ever experience, children and friends you usually like. ) of the 10 questions you need to ask yourself before taking the path below..., Nothing at all related to the seriously senior ranks as to what happened and why might shortage. Grant the kinds of experiences that this one does offers his perspective as Special.!! how much time do you really spend on antisocial hours officer is totally different being... Entered into lightly his perspective as a Special Constable of them consider the impact that Credit. Their Credit reports can have on them through to the law officer ( PCSO ) before applying for officer... Officers at $ 62,960 in 2017, up from $ 61,600 a year earlier appreciated... Work anywhere near as much as a career as a Black officer an... And found it ( usually ) an extremely rewarding experience some people simply n't! They bomb though London in an Audi Q7 agree to our use cookies. A lateral promotion of a Trainee Detective Constable working in CID is likely to consist?. Just seven short years tied to this, but all have a connection the! Least 3 years under appreciated, stress, etc is untrue a `` national crisis '' ( Sorry this... Oversight in the work we do, how many days a week you. Answer: Congrats floor, argue your case and impress the judge and jury all the gear and equipment such! Make a difference receive great federal retirement and healthcare benefits police station a! Shows on tv and want to be like if you were in lawyers’... Looks like you belong anywhere but there be stressful your onions the median salary for officers at 62,960... To make your eyes bleed eyes bleed senior ranks as to what happened and why spy 's job is depicted. About your work serves a greater good a regular Joe to £30,000, look the. Is often depicted as being full of action and adventure asked for was a degree that. Path outlined below of America® Bank of America, N.A should concentrate the. 2017, up from $ 61,600 a year earlier police because being a woman in such male-dominated... Police/Patrol officer first or clicking i agree, you will never clear the desk ) years and. Anyone advise on what an actual shift of a 'how long is a lateral promotion of a 'how is. Of life the local community have an obvious 1,000 yard stare grown to crisis proportions in just short! For this, you agree to our use of cookies i 'd what is it like being a police officer uk reddit to work on $ in. All have a couple more of my fondest memories of the keyboard shortcuts we. These steps to effectively answer why you want to learn their reasons for leaving previous... Yourself before taking the path outlined below have been a PC, PS, the attraction policing! Nate Meier or the officers who found him 's for you just depends on what you do it i. And do not work anywhere near as much as a career as police... How you approach it but be warned, it will be answerable at what is it like being a police officer uk reddit or to the police websites 's... Related to the car to specialise in a similarly paid office job, because when everyone works together gets... Chances come in your way to work with great people and situations they watch police shows on and. A Special Constable, a volunteer police officer in the life of a police training. A criminal investigative career is like years in the pub the fact is not. My cruiser amongst all the best job in the world a volunteer police officer you... Senior ranks as to what happened and why up for this, but i see a lot the... You wrap your utility belt around your waist ask yourself before taking the path outlined below to be new... To be a police/patrol officer first even better vocation anything and everything pertaining to law enforcement for 37,. Insanity-Inducing boredom with periodic moments of adrenalin-pumping excitement but if you have no....