General Policing Discussions

Ive recently joined as a PC but i am thinking of opting out for the first 6 months to manage my finances. There are the obvious negatives of missing out on 6 months pension and payment if dying on duty. Does anyone know anymore about it and any other negatives of optong out for an amount of time?

Force's in England and Wales are going to a 'national uniform' so I have heard, us in Lancs have received new caps, fleeces and tshirts, the fleece's are identical to those GMP are now issuing, anyone else know of any uniform that is changing? Anyone know which force's haven't agreed to sign up to this, if any? (probs the Met)

After sailing through the entire recruitment process and getting ready to put my feet up and wait for vetting, my application has been rejected on medical grounds due to the very poorly timed discovery that I have a heart condition. I've spoken to my force occupational health dept. and they have agreed to reconsider and speak to my cardiologist who has no concerns regarding my ability to join - I'm very fit and healthy, it was a chance discovery that could have gone unnoticed for another 30+ years. I'm not holding my breath though and I'm bracing myself for rejection and given that there's no cure (other than a heart transplant!) it will mean that I can't ever…

Hi, I would like some advice as to how I should film Police when I'm next in the main NTE zone of my local city centre. Specifically in your opinions is it a good idea to walk up and down the street looking for officers dealing with incidents or am I better off finding a group of officers and accompanying them? If the latter is the best then should I follow the officers around or join another group of officers when they walk off? I've also heard from a Sgt that my local force offer a program where you can officially accompany a team of officers for the day. What's the difference (from your point of view) between that and simply following a group of officers? Does it …

Hello all, new member here looking for some information. I'm thinking of applying to the BTP Special Constabulary for vacancies they are advertising at Crewe. I have an understanding on the role of a Special Constable from being a Police Cadet and from family friends who have served as regular officers, however my knowledge of the BTP is basic. I've looked at all the open source material I can find via YouTube, Google and the British Transport Police website, but I realise that a lot of this will have been 'glammed up' for the cameras/media. I'm looking for the reality, or any snippets that will help me decide if this is the right path for me, or whether I shou…

I've been a police officer for over 8 years. For 9 if you count being a special. During that time I've changed no doubt - wiser, calmer, less "black and white" if you believe me. Harsher, more right wing and less tolerant if you believe my wife. Either way, The Job certainly changes you - along with the natural changes in a person as you get older. It is remarkable and troubling. I've had to ask myself whether us, as officer, are so indoctrinated, institutionalised and/or entrenched in our beliefs (I can't really pick the right word - it could be one or all of the previous three adjectives) that we are woefully out of step with the public at large (i.e. every…

I'm sure this is covered in more specific threads and apologies if there is an existing thread on the subject (I searched but couldn't find one). Interested to know how much those of us here who are Specials work on a week to week (or month to month) basis. Do you work a set day that maybe you have off from work, do you do nights to fit it in around work, and do you work regular shifts with regular teams or is it completely random? Any info/insights/experience appreciated, thanks

Following the thread announcing the Havering Parks Officers are to receive Asp etc it got me wondering, who have legal authority to carry batons and which powers over the crown servent exemption allows it for their agency

hi , has anybody used there police mutual membership by being a special? Just wondering what there mortgage service is like compared to high street.......

Just feeling the need to moan a bit...! I've successfully completed the recruitment process for my local force and was just waiting to cruise my way through the vetting process, when I've been diagnosed with a heart condition simply because I pushed my my GP to investigate one episode of palpitations knowing that there are genetic heart conditions in my family. Turns out I've got one. At the worst possible time - I passed my medical assessment 3 days before my diagnosis and now it looks like it my all be over... I've been told that the FMO will make the final decision, the people at occupational health were very good as I'd obviously disclosed that…

Basically, I am wanting to apply for a shotgun certificate for clay pigeon shooting. But a club member told me as a police officer, it might be difficult and you may not be accepted. Is this the case or complete crap?