General Policing Discussions

Hi, I recently found a FOI request aimed at the met Police. The response came back from the met and stated that there is 2 special constables in the force firearms unit. Does anyone have an idea of what they might do there? I find it strange that in some forces specials can't even do response. What are your guys thoughts on this. The FOI can be found here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/special_special_constables#incoming-514419

Not sure if this is on here or not already, but it's an interview with an undercover police officer in the daily mail. Apologies for the format I'm posting from my phone John is a professional hitman. Along the way he has learned to tell the serious clients from the Walter Mittys. When you are with [a guy] who is asking for someone to be killed, you know from the look in their eyes whether they definitely want that person dead, he says. The fees hes been offered for committing a murder range from between £1,000 and £30,000, though some guys will kill for a fix of crack. His own eyes are clever and often amused. But they also have an opaque, poker-player quality which…

I'll start by saying I'm not looking for advice, this is my story of how I was forced out of the police over something I eye as rather silly, and something I know people do all the time. Be aware, the federation seem like they aren't always as much help as they should be. Let's go back a few months, I've moved a long way from friends and family to pursue the career of my dreams. I'm 6 months into my probation with a police force. After serving 8 years as a special in my local force I had a fair idea what to expect, however this force at the other end of the world did seem to do a lot differently. Nothing too surprising though. I'd made some friends but as normal in the f…

I'd like to compile a list of jobs that police get called to attend where it is not a policing issue and/or there are no powers to deal with the issue. For example: Noise complaints - responsibility of environmental health, no policing power to do anything.

I have recently just finished training to be a Special and get my warrant card next week, which means my first duty will shortly follow that! Does anyone have any tips for the first shift? I know I'm going to be so nervous!

Hello all. I'm due to do a public order shift this Saturday night and I've not done one before. I tend to stick to daytime response. Has anyone got any tips to help it go smoothly? Anything useful to take along? Cheers Sloth

I the love village where I live as it's reminiscent of the countryside. I often pop into our local farm shop as I like organic fruits and vegs. I'm as a result very friendly with most of their regular staff. I took my little boy to one of their outdoor pick your own events today and we picked some strawberries in their fields and went and paid for them in a makeshift shop with a till. I was them given a farm shop carrier bag to put my items in. I then went to the main farm shop about 2 minutes away across the fields to buy some of their special confectioneries. While the shop assistant who I didn't know was scanning my items she appeared very focused on my carrier bag …

Have watched a fair few of their videos and to be fair, they are really funny in my opinion! But a couple of them do give me concerns that they may be breaking the law. I think they are harmless, certainly doesn't appear to be any bad intent, however I believe possession of the stun gun is a sec 5 offence, unsure about the climbing in and out of peoples vehicles. Do not want to be a spoil sport as I do think these chaps are hilarious, but I do have concerns about a couple of the videos for obvious reasons. What do you guys think? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3SPfzyFHIc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-oYwYWFTjQ

There's no question here as such, I just wanted to share my annoying little situation and wondered if it has ever happened to anyone else. Basically, I just passed my vetting (though they didn't tell me) and I'd sent my medical form off to the doctors for them to sign it. I made sure I sent it to them ASAP and I gave them the addressed envelope to post it back to the police HR department, which they said they would. After 3 weeks I found out they still haven't send it which was annoying so I went to pick it up myself to send it off. Unfortunately due to the fact my doctors failed to send it off, I could not have a medical exam. I therefore missed this training session s…

Hi, Wonder if any one can help me (Via Private Message of course) - I have been on LOA for over 2 years and am now ready to return however, I have to sit an exam called "knowledge check" - This is a 25 question exam lasting 1 hour on subjects covered in foundation training for new specials. The foundation training for new recruits is somewhat different to when I did the intensive course back in 2009 and I really want to pass this exam (pass mark is 65% I believe) Anyone out there already taken it or able to give me some help or useful information please? I'd like to be fully prepared but have no real clue as to example questions etc. - If I pass then I am IPS again an…

For most of the past week I've had my arm in a sling after getting attacked by a dog whilst executing a search warrant: he bit me on the arm and stomach (got up under my body armour unfortuantely). I've been lucky never to have been too seriously injured but it can be a dangerous job and when I've sat back and thought about it I've had quite a few injuries over the 6 years I've been in. I was once pulled along by a car making off... Bitten on the hand by a 136 detainee Bitten on the arm during an arrest Bitten by a police dog Punched in the face in custody Sprained ankle foot-chasing someone Had an HIV exposure when I cut myself in a roll-around with an HIV+…

Hi all, I've just discovered the police black museum within Scotland Yard. Holding hundreds of years of crime memorabilia. I understand that only police staff are able to look inside as it isn't open to the public. I'm just wondering if anyone has been or if anyone knows how you can apply to visit? Thank you!! Sam

Should I/anyone be flagging up that a FOI response is wrong? On the below FOI, BTP claim that they received no transferee specials before 2014. This is completely untrue as pottheed and I both transferred in 2013 and I know at least 1 who transferred from lancs to BTP in 2012... https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/special_constables_14#incoming-543021 Buck

Didn't really know what category to post this in so if mods feel it belongs elsewhere please don't hesitate to move it! I am 19 years old not currently serving but have a strong interest in joining, more than likely as a special for a while to get a feel of what life in the police force is like. I have an interest in the police force and things related to it in general (obviously) :lol: And would like the chance to chat to serving specials and regs (of all ranks). As I say I do have a general interest in the police, and also the fire service and would like to make one of them my career. I have quite an interest in past policing as well as present. Now out of curiosity, t…

The below is the training method used by most larger US departments. I am recently retired Dallas PD FTO and Detective (CAPERS). (1) Completion of 24 week Dallas Police Academy (2) Recruit is placed with three field traing officers in the field (squad car) and spends 7 weeks with each FTO where recruit is graded each day by FTO on a daily observation report. Recruit is also graded at the end of each of these three 7 week phases of training and if recruit passes recruit is then placed back with the first of these field training officers. During this final phase the recruits functions as a one man squad and the FTO only observes unless recruit seriously fouls up. If r…