🚔 Q&A: Questions on policing as a career: Ask us anything!

At P2P we have over 500 years of collective policing experience as officers and staff 👮

We want to share our experiences and stories from our careers with you!

If you have any questions regarding joining the police, promotion, job roles, work-life balance or anything about the service itself, drop them below and one of our expert team will respond 🔽

Reply 1

Trinculo

21

What do the different ranks do:

On TV, there will be a murder and a detective chief inspector will drive around talking to witnesses. Detective sergeants will arrest people and interview suspects. Is this realistic, or do people above constable act as managers only?

Equally, in uniform how common is it for anyone other than a constable to on patrol or respond to a call?

Is becoming a detective a "promotion"?

Do you get paid more for being more specialised - do traffic officers or authorised firearms officers get paid more?

OP

Original post by Trinculo

What do the different ranks do:

On TV, there will be a murder and a detective chief inspector will drive around talking to witnesses. Detective sergeants will arrest people and interview suspects. Is this realistic, or do people above constable act as managers only?

Equally, in uniform how common is it for anyone other than a constable to on patrol or respond to a call?

Is becoming a detective a "promotion"?

Do you get paid more for being more specialised - do traffic officers or authorised firearms officers get paid more?

Hi,

What great questions. :argh:

The TV dramas set in an hour have a vague connection with reality. :colondollar:

Murders and other serious crimes on that scale are often headed by a Detective Inspector, Detective Chief Inspector or even Detective Superintendent. They are most often office-based roles that are called Senior Investigating Officer, the role is to oversee the investigation and make decisions on the direction of the investigation. The teams of Detective Sergeants and Detective Constables will do the interviews of witnesses, help review and highlight evidence to identify lines of investigation and seek evidence. They will also keep in touch with the victim's family.

Constables will usually be the first to respond to calls and be n patrol. Sometimes their Sergeants and Inspectors may get a chance to go out with them.

Being a detective is not a promotion, it is a specialisation, similarly, dog handlers, traffic officers, horse-mounted officers, Special Branch and firearms officers are the same.

Some roles attract a payment for being on call. Dependent on the role some will earn more money due to overtime.

Currently, there are two Police Officer roles that most forces will recruit directly into, they are Police Constable and Detective Constable.

Finally, officers move between roles on promotion or by choice. The specialist roles are sought after and require training and often exams to enter.

Hope that helps.

It is a great job, albeit hard work!
:smile:

KP

Reply 3

Trinculo

21

Whst are the differences between probation, IPS and being a TDC?

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 4

Ronela

1

hello i hope you're okay, i have an interview for a PCSO position, do you have an idea what kinds of questions that they might ask?

Reply 5

Ujjwal Singh

1

How to become ips sir! Please helpMe

Reply 6

Ujjwal Singh

1

How to become ips pls help me

Reply 7

Hbirch84

1

Original post by P2P- Policing

At P2P we have over 500 years of collective policing experience as officers and staff 👮

We want to share our experiences and stories from our careers with you!

If you have any questions regarding joining the police, promotion, job roles, work-life balance or anything about the service itself, drop them below and one of our expert team will respond 🔽

Hi, just wondering in order to pass the 3 part assessments competency interview, written exercise and briefing assessments to enter onto a police constable officer role do you need to buy additional information and tips? So many people seem to be, but wondering if I can pass with only free information and guidance i find online?

Reply 8

James9103

10

Original post by Hbirch84

Hi, just wondering in order to pass the 3 part assessments competency interview, written exercise and briefing assessments to enter onto a police constable officer role do you need to buy additional information and tips? So many people seem to be, but wondering if I can pass with only free information and guidance i find online?

Check out blue light consultancy on Facebook, he provides lots of good free information, aswell as courses that you can pay for.

Passing without paying is very achievable, I passed first time without any of the additional help.

Reply 9

Oranges13

1

Original post by P2P- Policing

At P2P we have over 500 years of collective policing experience as officers and staff 👮

We want to share our experiences and stories from our careers with you!

If you have any questions regarding joining the police, promotion, job roles, work-life balance or anything about the service itself, drop them below and one of our expert team will respond 🔽

What questions do they ask at an interview for a Contact Officer 999/101?

Reply 10

Nowthenagain

5

Questions will most likely be competency based so get thinking of examples of when you’ve displayed resilience, effective communication, problem solving, respect for race and diversity etc. sure a google search will provide the police indicators. Try and hit as many positive indicators as possible. Good luck

Reply 11

nerdyjamaican

2

Original post by P2P- Policing

At P2P we have over 500 years of collective policing experience as officers and staff 👮

We want to share our experiences and stories from our careers with you!

If you have any questions regarding joining the police, promotion, job roles, work-life balance or anything about the service itself, drop them below and one of our expert team will respond 🔽

i have a attempted robbery conviction from 17 years ago. i was given a two year suspended sentence. can i still join the police

Reply 12

James9103

10

Original post by nerdyjamaican

i have a attempted robbery conviction from 17 years ago. i was given a two year suspended sentence. can i still join the police

Highly doubt it

Reply 13

nerdyjamaican

2

Original post by James9103

Highly doubt it

what can i do with a policing masters instead?

Reply 14

James9103

10

Original post by nerdyjamaican

what can i do with a policing masters instead?

With those convictions, nothing within and police force.
Look into private security or something that doesn’t require any kind of security background checks

Reply 15

hughesr578

2

Hi, I’m currently going through the application process to join the police. I’ve passed the national sift and the assessment centre, just waiting on an interview date.

I have a conviction for battery from 11 years ago for which I received a conditional discharge. I’ve never been in trouble since and it was a stupid mistake on a night out.

My question is, is it worth me going to the interview with my background? What are the chances of me passing vetting? I don’t want to waste anybody’s time if there’s no chance I get in. Appreciate it’s likely taken on a case by case basis but just wondering if anybody has any experience or knowledge of the likely outcome?

Thanks!

Reply 16

nerdyjamaican

2

Original post by hughesr578

Hi, I’m currently going through the application process to join the police. I’ve passed the national sift and the assessment centre, just waiting on an interview date.

I have a conviction for battery from 11 years ago for which I received a conditional discharge. I’ve never been in trouble since and it was a stupid mistake on a night out.

My question is, is it worth me going to the interview with my background? What are the chances of me passing vetting? I don’t want to waste anybody’s time if there’s no chance I get in. Appreciate it’s likely taken on a case by case basis but just wondering if anybody has any experience or knowledge of the likely outcome?

Thanks!

i asked a similar question but mine was attempted robbery 16 years ago when i was 17. i was told ive got no chance. i would advise you to speak to the vetting team

Reply 17

deakine384

1

Original post by P2P- Policing

At P2P we have over 500 years of collective policing experience as officers and staff 👮 We want to share our experiences and stories from our careers with you! If you have any questions regarding joining the police, promotion, job roles, work-life balance or anything about the service itself, drop them below and one of our expert team will respond 🔽

Hi,I am in my penultimate year of university, and i am interested in joining the police force. Will I get further with a masters? Or is an undergrad enough?I still do not have my drivers license, will this affect my application?What are the key factors towards a successful application?Thanks

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