Need some life guidance folks

[TomTom]

Hola!

Quite a big decision ahead for me. But curious to know (for those who will bother to read it) what you would do in my position.

Basically, I want to join the police and be just like Dennis. As you are probably aware, getting into the police is pretty damn competitive as sooo many people go for it. (Den only got in there because of sexual favours)

I have been given 2 job offers, of sorts... For a Call handler/Communications officer. Depending how glamorous I want to sound. It's basically answering police 999 & 101 calls. Which isn't a bad shout to try and get experience to become an officer.

So, the issue.

My preference would be to work in Avon & Somerset as that is where I am from. They are running training courses in September & October. Unfortunately I have not got on to those courses. However, I have been put into a ''bank'' along with 4 other people. We will remain there for the next 12 months & if a job comes up we will be given it with no interviews etc as we have already done it. They have told me they are hoping to run another course in January and we should hopefully be on that. Everyone in the bank would get in because they do 10 in each course and there are 5 of us in the bank. Basically they WILL do another course within 12 months at some point, even if not January. NOTE: If someone drops out of the September or October course they will take us from the bank and put us on there (how they decide who, I have no idea)

I have been offered another job at Norfolk police that means I start on 1st September. This is obviously shit far away from where I live (pushing on for 5 hours). But it's a guarantee start in just over a month. Obviously this means I will have to move away from home, which will cost me a lot more in rent & other costs. I literally don't know a soul in Norfolk or the surrounding area. One advantage with norfolk is I would be doing call handling & dispatch (for those who know more info about the job).

Just to throw another spanner in the works, I may have found another job to do effectively in the mean time if I decided to wait for Avon & Somerset to offer me a job - Which I think I would enjoy.

What would you do? =/

=D

[Swiftpass]

Stay where you are and wait for the job you really want.. What's for you won't go by you, as yer gran used to say

[mk2k41]

How about a third option? Stay in your current job and become a special constable. It will give you just as much a chance getting into the regs when they're recruiting and it'll give you useful experience and you'll be able to judge whether you do truly want to be a bobby. I'm a special with Warwickshire and I joined for that reason and I'm really glad I did, as I realised that doing that full time wouldn't be for me. I really enjoy being a special and have gotten so much out of it. I've been in for around 4 years now and it really is an eye opening experience. Specials have full police powers 24/7 in England and Wales and wear the same uniform and carry the same equipment.

[TomTom]

Stay where you are and wait for the job you really want.. What's for you won't go by you, as yer gran used to say

Thing is, time moves fast and I want to get settled in a career in the next 3 years.

How about a third option? Stay in your current job and become a special constable. It will give you just as much a chance getting into the regs when they're recruiting and it'll give you useful experience and you'll be able to judge whether you do truly want to be a bobby. I'm a special with Warwickshire and I joined for that reason and I'm really glad I did, as I realised that doing that full time wouldn't be for me. I really enjoy being a special and have gotten so much out of it. I've been in for around 4 years now and it really is an eye opening experience. Specials have full police powers 24/7 in England and Wales and wear the same uniform and carry the same equipment.

I have to get out of my job I am in now for many, many reasons. Shite pay being the main obvious one, but there are more reasons. Naturally, it makes more sense to get a job in the police. Becoming a special would be the next plan. Do that alongside the comms job, sit in that position then whilst trying to get in as an officer. I think I will get a good idea if I want to be an officer from comms anyway. It's all about getting myself into the environment.

[Gazski66]

I think you should stay were you are, it sounds like you will get the comms job within a year anyway. Joining the specials is a great idea as MK41 said but at the end of the day it can only be your choice, its good getting feedback from us bunch of reprobate's but anything we say on here should not influence your decision in any shape or form. good luck

[BeefMasta]

Stay where you are, it's cheaper in the short term and better for you in the long term.

Get Den to take you on a ride-along.

[J1MB08]

My advice. Move to Norfolk. Get the job you want, stay for a couple of years, and then put in for a transfer.
You didn't mention your age or if you're married, but if you're young and have no ties, definately take the plunge! You'll make new friends, and possibly meet the love of your life.
Unless you also went down the sexual favours route and stayed in your local area? Haha
Good Luck TomTom.

[Paul]

There's no right or wrong thing to do!! I wanted to be in the police since being a young boy, applied at the age of 18 but was told at interview stage I needed more life experience so applied again at 21, was successful and joined when I'd just turned 22. I initially enjoyed the police and after my 2 year probation I tried my hands at a few different things but after nearly 6 years I jacked it in as it wasn't the job I expected it to be. I was gutted at the time but was extremely unhappy! In my opinion the pay is atrocious, I left on just over £30k which sounds ok but only took home £1600 a month which when you break it down is roughly £9.20 an hour not taking into account any unpaid overtime! The specials is a good idea but you don't truly see what the job is about ie unpaid overtime, cancelled rest days to attend court, going in work to find the previous days prisoner hasn't been processed and the PACE clock is nearly over, juggling crimes, the radio, case file preparation etc. The specials only get to see the fun aspects ie cruising round in groups of 4 on a Friday/Saturday night. Just because you have experience as a call handler, a PCSO or special doesn't make it any easier to join the regulars, I knew a special who was a undertaker and it took him four attempts until he was successful and he then quit within his probation as it wasn't what he expected. I am now in a job which I love, earn twice as much as being a Police Officer for literally half the hours with absolutely no stress! BUT I wouldn't have got this job if I hadn't my previous Police experience! My advice...... Do what feels right, don't expect too much and go with the flow. You won't know which the right decision is until you try one! You never know what lies ahead! Best of luck Tom Tom :-)

[den2712]

Don't want to spoil the party but after 21 n a half years in the police if I had to start as of now with all the changes happening to pay and conditions plus Ms. Theresa May trying to shaft the police at every opportunity I wouldn't bother!!!

[Jimbob]

Bird in the hand worth two in the bush. Besides Jimbob is moving to Norfolk soon

Seriously good advice coming now - the more important a decision is the less time you should spend thinking about it.
This way your decision is made by your instinct which is always the best guide. Your instinct knows what's best.

JB