New Opportunities

[fabricati_diem]

I'm thinking about becoming a Special Constable (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_ConstabularyDoes anyone have any experience of these (beyond being arrested by one preferably), or know much more about them

Comments

[caramel_betty]

For a lot of people (and quite a few forces), being a Special is considered one of the ways to get into being a full policeman. Recruitment for the force is quite competitive, so I know a couple of people who've gone about it this way - one is a control room person at the moment (doing the directing round of ambulances, police cars etc.), special in his spare time, just been recruited to the police force and I think starts this month

[fabricati_diem]

Bit of good, bit of bad there.

I'm certainly not a petty little person just looking to enforce the rules (well, not anymore...). I like the idea of doing something "different".

Given my work appraisals and similar things, I think that being a Special could perhaps help to fill some of the character flaws I have, as well as actually making me feel like I'm DOING something for once.

[caramel_betty]

Oh, that reminds me. On the application form thingy. If it's anything like the Met one, a friend was at a recruitment event for the Met (to be a full policeman) a while back. Their form has a bunch of things like "What's the toughest decision you've ever made that was unpopular with those it affected?", "Describe the last time you saw a fight in the street", and "If you were a colour, what colour would you be, and would you go out with me?"

I'm told the right answers all veer towards:
- happy to make unpopular decisions when they're the right decisions
- won't cave under pressure
- will step in and break up fights

That sort of thing. Apparently, a lot of forms get thrown out with people putting down answers where they avoid making a scene, when (as a police officer) they'd very likely have to.

Mostly seems fairly obvious, but worth thinking about.

[stagknight]

Apparently, a lot of forms get thrown out with people putting down answers where they avoid making a scene, when (as a police officer) they'd very likely have to.

"The last time I saw a fight in public, being a respectable citizen, I stayed well away and tutted disapprovingly, as is my right as a citizen of the United Kingdom. However, had I been an armoured and armed officer of the law, I would have tased the lot of them."

[malvino]

My neighbour is a special constable, all I know about his experience is that he met a very nice lady special constable, who's now also my neighbour.

I doubt the fitness is too severe, it's not terribly hard for the TA.

Anyhow, the reason I'm bugging you, and hoping you still read your mail, is to ask if you remember dealing with an assassin who looted the weapons of someone inhumed, it's flaring up again.