General Policing Discussions

http://www.police.uk/ How reliable are these statistics? I know it highly depends on what is reported and who is collecting the data. I went to look up the reported crime figures for my neighbourhood ahead of my assessment for the SC to find out more about policing in my local area. Talk of crime 'cold-spots' only 16 incidents were reported in October 2013 for my post code going by the most recent data . I don't know what categories of crime these were But I've conducted my own mini research which I think lends credence to these facts... I left my designer bag unattended on a pack bench one day last summer while I was playing with my child and though another Mum tol…

Hi, New to all this! Been accepted to attend an assement day in merseyside and really actually nervous now as it all happend so quickly! Anybody give me any tips on what to expect and the test! Thanks! :new_no: Sasha

Apologies if this has been posted before....but are specials allowed to give references to people, for say a job application?

Hello all, Wonder if you can help me here im having what is beginning to turn in to a serious problem with my local police force. The thing is my brother was/is a bad lad and was in trouble with the police on numerous occasions and even did a fare bit of prison time one of the offenses pretty serious He did a long stetch in prison and came out a new man got married sorted his life out! Anyway things dident go well in the marrage and they are currently in the throws of a divorce and he asked if he could come and stay with me and my father to which we agreed. Not long after we realised that this was a mistake as he has "sort of" returned to his old ways drugs & pe…

I have heard of a force that intends (due to shortages of front line Officers) to insist that SC's do minimum of 16hrs patrol duty every month (and done every month and not averaged out over the year) and that Admin or Training time is not included as duty time as before but done on top of the 16 hrs patrol time........a difficulty for some working 40 hrs a week What do your forces SC' do or are expected to do? Is training and admin like Regulars included in duty time?

Recently became aware that certain non Home Office Police forces and services operate there own custody suites and prisoner handling units. Are there many of these custody suites around the country and how do they operate differently from Home Office Police forces. I know for example the Port of Dover Police operate there own custody and in some areas BTP do the same, not sure about the MOD Police or any others ?

As the title says. My friends father is a PC and she says they can't go anywhere without him taking his handcuffs out with him. Is there any policy on this? Are you allowed to take your cuffs out with you when you're off duty? I have searched for a topic that may cover my questions, but on the iPhone the search options that come up are somewhat...broad.

Anyone interested in online learning at degree level, a group of UK Universities have got together and established FutureLearn. They offer free 6-8 week courses, many of which are relevant to policing. You don't need any previous qualifications, just a keen interest . I'm currently signed-up for a couple of forensics courses and one on addictions. Here is the link for those who'd like to take a look: https://www.futurelearn.com/

Can specials (met police to be precise) countersign a British passport?

So I start training as a special soon am I'm sure this subject is covered but I wanted to know how others have dealt with these situations in the real world. One of my close friends (who is very supportive of my role as a special) is very heavy footed when it comes to driving to the point where I often tell him to slow down. I'm hoping he will exercise a little more sense when I'm with him but that's wishful thinking in reality. How have existing officers dealt with friends and family in these situations. He's the kinda guy who can laugh everything off. Thanks

So I thought it may be interesting to post how many hours we've been able to commit for 2013. I wonder how many hours PS.com members have committed as a whole? I've done 942 in total. ++EDIT++ I've added a spreadsheet with a total for everyone who seemed to have accurate hours. If you get a definitive total let me know and I'll add it. Can a mod add the link to the OP? https://docs.google....eXc&usp=sharing

Hello, I was wondering if you guys could offer me some guidance with what steps I should take to getting me closer to joining the regulars. Currently I am in the second stage of interviews for becoming PCSO, but also have an application for the Special constabulary. I was wondering if I am unsuccessful with becoming PCSO, but successful in the Special Constabulary would it be worth my time going to University to study Policing and Crime? I would get a CKP in the first year and eventually get Diploma of Higher Education or Bsc few years later. With the experience from the specials and gaining this qualification do you think it would help me get closer joining regulars? …

Hello faithful of the forum What do you make of the NCALT training. Personally I can't stand it. Sitting in a station staring at a computer screen I find nothing sinks in making the 30 minutes pointless. Very much a box ticking exercise? The fact it doesn't count towards my monthly hours doesn't help either.

I was rostered to work 1700 - 0100 yesterday (31st December) on a short notice cancelled RD, so eight hours pay at 1.5x normal time. I was also rostered to work 1500 - 2300 today (1st January) long notice cancelled BH, so eight hours at 2x normal time. At 2200 last night I got a call from the Inspector asking if I was prepared to come in at 0700 today and work until whenever I was reasonably required to (no actual finish time but he guessed until about 1900). This was on the basis that they would let me finish my shift early last night, I ended up booking off at 2300. I finished today as guessed at 1900. Before I claim the OT (and disregarding the +10% of normal time…

Was sat on a cordon last night, and we were getting stupid question after stupid question from members of the public. Had the road blocked off with a marked vehicle, with blues and rear reds on, cones accross the road, a "police diversion" sign, and blue cordon tape. Yet the amount of people that drove up to us, stopped (on a roundabout), wound down their window and asked "Can I not get through there?" We also had "What about if I just want to nip to Mcdonalds?" - of course mate, go on through, we make a special exception if you need your morning mcflurry! And possibly the most bizarre, being 5am, was "Can I get through to the cinema?". So whats the funniest/stupidest qu…