Detective Constable pathway

Hello everyone. I wonder if anyone has gone through the recruitment process for the detective Constable pathway, with the metropolitan police service? Has anyone completed the bolt-on assessment?

Hey, no worries. Thank you for that advice, really appreciate it.

I’ve completed the competency based interview, the written and briefing assessments. Yes you do need to pass them in order to to progress. The bolt-on assessment has 3 parts: a role play exercise, where you and an actor will play out a scene, perhaps the actor takes the lead in deciding the role play and you must play your role as a the detective Constable. There is also the briefing and an in-tray exercise (your written assessment).

Have you applied for the detective Constable pathway too? Good luck with your assessment. How did you find the workshop?

Oh that sounds quite exciting! Good luck with it 🤞🏽 Is that in person or online?

Yes, I have applied for the Detective Constable pathway. I think that pathway would suit me more. My background is science and I'm just finishing my PhD so my skills should help me do well in investigation (I hope!).

I enjoyed the workshop, I was slightly worried that my examples for the CBI wouldn't be right but they assured me they were perfectly fine. It also cleared up some questions I had about the written assessment and briefing. I think my results will be better as a result. The people running the workshop had plenty of good advice and I quite liked hearing what other people's answer's were to the questions because although are points were the same we went about it in slightly different angles. Did you do the workshop?

Thank you for the support!! It will be in person and it actually sounds slightly nerve racking 'cause since it's in person I don't know how tough they will make it or what to expect, plus in comparison to the Day 1 Assessment for briefing you were given 10 mins to prepare but for the bolt-on assessment you about 5 mins, well that's what I've been told.

Putting that aside, the Day 1 Assessment went smoothly and I'm sure you will do well! And with that degree and a science background you created avenues/options/paths. Did you apply with Met? I have done a workshop for the Day 1 Assessment, however this time I didn't receive an invite or recommendation for a workshop which I believe would have helped refreshed our memory and provide us full support. Nevertheless, we were invited to a live stream to ask questions about our assessments, we were explained what our assessments will be about and we had a few detectives share their typical day at work, etc, which personally was somewhat helpful.

Good luck with it all! We could be working together one day

Yes that is true with the online assessment. I agree, it’ll be interesting to meet other candidates.

I’ve applied with the Met. Did you apply online? There is/was a vacancy on the detective Constable pathway.

Yes, many people do start as a PC and they can work their way through and achieve more insights too. On the side you could train to specialise elsewhere.

Part 3 of the bolt-on assessment which is role-play exercise may not take place on the same day, is what I’ve been told.

I just started a thread and then saw your post! I have passed the sifting phase and I'm due to attend the assessment support workshop on Monday. I have registered for the online assessment, but haven't received the link for that yet. I assume this will happen some time after the workshop.

Where are you in the process?

Hi, sorry for the late reply. I didn’t pass the assessment at the end. I felt overwhelmed with the role play and in-tray exercise; they weren’t easy to deal with. I knew I kind of messed up afterwards, but it’s fine.. I’ve recently applied as police officer so this way I can work my way up so hopefully after 2 years or a little I could become a detective internally.

Now I’ve got to pass my medical assessment and boy, the bleep test is hard.

Hi may I ask what the role play was? I last time didn't pass so don't worry about it. I think the day 2 is not really helpful because there isn't much information to help you. Last time I had a role play of two people arguing but I didn't know how to go about it because they don't inform you about these situations.

Call me old-fashioned, but I’m pretty sure they make you sign an NDA on these things

Hi may I ask what the role play was? I last time didn't pass so don't worry about it. I think the day 2 is not really helpful because there isn't much information to help you. Last time I had a role play of two people arguing but I didn't know how to go about it because they don't inform you about these situations.

Hi,
I have passed the online assessment and hopefully should get an invite for the day-2 soon. I have searched a lot but could not find solid information about day-2.
I feel like day-1 seemed a virtual form of day-2. I am worried about the in-tray as everyone is complaining about it. Is the writing format the same as the written exercise of day-1? Is stakeholder briefing also the continuation of in-tray?

Thanks

The role play can be anything from a dispute to helping a troubled youth, for example. It did take me a second attempt to get it right (when I reapplied of course). I would say to reapply again as what you will understand your strengths and weaknesses then you will have time to improve them and you will already know what to expect again. The first time is like you're learning about it all.

I've been watching YouTube videos by Brendan O'brien who is the Founder of BlueLight Consultancy Ltd. He used to be a police officer and he has many years of experience. He shares tips, explains what you can expect in your assessments, how to pass them and he shares useful mnemonics to help you use them during you role play etc and on the job.

Below is a link to perhaps joining a course to help you become more confident and well-prepared.

https://bluelightonline.co.uk

Good luck with it all!