Best options for joining police

Hi there,

I am 14 years old and I would love to join the police.

I'd love to be involved in specialist firearms teams as well; seeing the atrocious attacks across Europe has made me determined to prevent them happening in the UK.

My plan is to join my local force, Essex Police, and after the 2 year probationary period, put in for a transfer for the MPS, beacause I'd rather do policing in London, little bit more interesting. Also, they have a better firearms unit. Then I'd try and get into SCO19, and later on potentially go onto becoming a CTSFO. Anyone have any experiences? My parents have been saying I should go to uni, get some "life experience" but to be honest I'd rather just go straight in. In addition to English, Maths and Science for GCSE, I'm doing Sociology, RE, History,IT, and I'd like to do Law and Politics for A-level. I think I'd be good beacause I have a general passion for the job, am a fast and logical thinker, and I have good communication skills. I also think working in Essex and then transferring to the Met will give me excellent experience - from less urban areas with more rural crime to inner city gang crime.

Thank you for your time.
Alex

Reply 1

Sgt.Golden

Original post by qwertyK

I don't have any experience and will only speak from the knowledge I have and the research I have done. You will have to wait until the age of 18 and then you will have to make the decision if you want to join as a Special Constable or apply for a Constable recruitment if there are any at the time. I am sure you will know that becoming a firearms officers is going to be a difficult journey. However, don't let that stop you if you want to get there. After you move to college it may be a good idea to look into taking a public services course which will assist you in becoming a Constable. I think that having a passion for the job will be a great benefit for you. I can see where your parents are coming from and yes possible having a degree could give you the chance of being a higher ranking constable. I would suggest going on some college open evenings and speaking to the teachers of the public services courses as they may have a better idea.

It may not be a bad idea to do Law and Politics for A-level if you want to go into university but if you want to go right into the police force then public services courses may be better. Another option that is out there is that you can go into university and while in university you can apply to become a Special Constable. Giving you the chance to get the experience and also get your degree. If your want to prevent attacks like in Europe then the counter-terrorism team may be a good option also.

I wish you good luck and do please keep me updated! :smile:

Reply 2

qwertyK

Original post by Sgt.Golden

Hi there,

Thanks for the great support.

I've looked on my force's website, and yes, right now they are recruiting (isn't every force right now?!)

The only people they aren't recruiting are PCSOs.

I have thought about joining as a special, may just prefer to go straight in. My school has a sixth form, not sure if my school does it, but apparently many sixth forms do public service courses. If this is available, I will take this.

I think the whole university thing is basically my parents wanting me to have a plan B. I don't really see how you wouldn't get into the police, providing they are recruiting (which I think they are always on the lookout for new recruits) and you pass the necessary tests. No problem there, I'm fit enough, and I am tactical and logical in my thinking. As I said, I actually have a passion for the job, because I know how devastating it can be, and in reguards to firearms and CT, I am very strong about stopping terrorists.

I've also thought about alternatives; the NCA (although you have to have experience working in law enforcement).

Again, thanks for the support. Much appreciated ;-)

Alex

Reply 3

JoshB1239

ALEX they are changing the curriculum where that in 2020 you have to do a 3 year apprenticeship as they claim it is harder becoming a police officer in nowadays so you don't have to do a probationary period now so once you have completed your apprenticeship you can straight in to the police force and specialise in firearms. If you are still interested. I want to join the GMP one day but not sure whether to try and become a Royal Marines officer first as you will have a once in a lifetime opportunity. I would like to do that then if I still alive or have got my whole body and a good mental state I can join police and work my way up the ranks to become a senior officer. Follow your dreams. Best of luck in the future

Reply 4

_Rachael

Original post by JoshB1239

hello,
im wanting to join the police force in the future and have been exploring my options, one of the best things to do is gain experience of working with people ie a job. also look into colleges who specifically have courses for policing, thats my plan anyway as i really dont want to have to go to university.

good luck

Reply 5

JoeMaggs

There are no specific educational requirements to become a police officer, so the best advice is to take subjects you enjoy, that will develop you best as a person mentally and intellectually and that will make you a more rounded person.
University or a college course is definitely not necessary - in fact, they're often a waste of time and sometimes not even endorsed by the local constabulary. If you'll be leaving school mid-2019 or after 2020 then yes, the new entrance policy will apply. There will be a number of options, including a self-funded degree for three years followed by finding a job in a force yourself, as well as the more appealing three-year "degree apprenticeship" with a job at the end, or a one-year conversion course if you're already a graduate.

If you're looking to join before then, there are no educational requirements as standard, although you will have to prove your capabilities in basic English and Maths, and some forces will ask for a minimum 5 GCSEs.

Whatever route you try and take, if there are no vacancies in your chosen force at the time you apply and you don't wish to move to another area, then your best choice is to take up a volunteer role in the Special Constabulary of your local force. You'll be a fully qualified police constable with the same powers of arrest as any other constable, and it will give you valuable experience. Many special constables go on to become full-time regular officers, and are often considered before those outside the force. You could, of course, take up a role as 'police staff', such as a case investigator dealing with the investigation of minor crimes (interviewing suspects, etc), or a detention officer in a custody suite, or even choose to become a Police Community Support Officer. These are paid roles, and can put your 'foot in the door', so to speak, but don't come with the same powers and responsibilities of a Special Constable.

Whatever you choose, the police is a great career. Hope you do well!

Reply 6

qwertyK

Original post by jackg653

Is this still true?

Yes it is. I don't think I'm going to bother with the police anymore. It's become too politically correct and too cushy. I don't want to do the job if I'm never allowed to arrest anyone.

Reply 7

CheeseManX

Original post by qwertyK

Yes it is. I don't think I'm going to bother with the police anymore. It's become too politically correct and too cushy. I don't want to do the job if I'm never allowed to arrest anyone.

What on earth is that supposed to mean?

Don't believe the headlines or what people say.

I'm a police officer and regularly arrest people for breaking the law. Nothing to do with political correctness - it's about right and wrong.

Reply 8

qwertyK

Original post by CheeseManX

I know people in the police force and they tell me its changed. They also say how they spend most of their day just booking drunk people into prison cells. I would join if it wasn't for the stupid three year apprenticeship thing.