If i became a special would it enhance my chances of being a regular pc?? Its something iv allways wanted to do but never known how to get started, any help from current coppers???
Not one myself but know a few, pretty much the only way in to the force round here is starting out as a hobby bobby.
I think it's a big route into the met. I was offered a place but had a last minute change of heart. Most I applied with were younger folk looking for a foot in
Yep, my OH did that for two yrs before joining up 'properly'...
Yep I'm a special and can recommend it 100%. Best thing I ever did, if your serious about the regs then it gives you the opurtunity to try the job before fully committing. It's not for everyone.
The majority if not all forces now only recruit from existing police staff so your only goin to be able to apply if you work already as police staff, Special or PCSO.
So its worth it then, sticking out my shitty day job and be a special, i guess u get a heads up on any positions comming up etc, whats the strain like on family life??
Like anything it's a challenge but a worth while one.
If your successful in getting a place then they will train you up, give you a new skill set, take you under their wing and develop your skills base and you as a person. They pay you food and travel expenses so you are not out of pocket and all they ask is to guarantee you'll give them the equivalent of 4 hours of your time a week. If like me you'll thrive and want to put in more than 4 hours. As they they say, you get out of something what you put in.
If your concerned about impacts on family life then think about what an impact studying would be, financially and time wise. In fact think how much time and money you put into cycling or any other hobby. If you are interested in a job in the regs then its a no brainer.
Once your through the training you pick and choose what hours you want to do and when. Nothing is forced on you. Your a volunteer and its in there interests to keep you sweet. I tend to do at least one shift a week but it barely affects the family. On a Thursday night, for instance, I might hit the station after work and do 18:00 - 00:00. I've done 150% of my requirement in one evening and lost no more family time than if I'd gone riding.
Well if I know one thing about them it's that they're not trustworthy. Not in the same way an old fashioned policeman is. Especially if you get a bit lost when trying to return to your house.
Quite a statement aracer. So how did you come to this massive generalisation?
Oh and how did you identify the officer as a special?
Oh and how did you identify the officer as a special?
That's what I was going to ask, don't they dress the same as normal PCs? Not like PCSOs who've got loads of blue on their kit?
My god there are some asshats on thus forum, how the hell can you say special constables are not trustworthy.
Is that all specials, or all the specials in your town, or just one that you have personal issues with
I've been a special for nearly 3 years now, and as already mentioned I couldn't recommend it highly enough, even if you don't want to do it full time, I love it. Helping to police the olympics was a recent highlight.
I know the Met do the majority of their recruitment from specials and PCSO's (the exception being the recent graduate scheme recruitment), and a lot of other forces are now doing this as well.
In terms of time it doesn't really impact on my life as I organise my shifts around my life, but I've had to deal with incidents and people that I would never normally come across, and that has impacted how
I'm with aracer. I don't have direct experience but my old man was clear on this point.
Come on aracer, don't dilly - dally, answer the question!
err - what's the difference between a Special and a PCSO? I hadn't realised they were different until the comments above.
No idea why, all of sudden, I'm even thinking this would be a good thing to do...
Rachel
That's what I was going to ask, don't they dress the same as normal PCs? Not like PCSOs who've got loads of blue on their kit?
In the Met they have SC crowns on their epaulettes, and their name badge will have 'msc' on it, the rest of the uniform is exactly the same, other forces don't make any distinction When dealing with the public, I identify myself as a police officer, not as a special
"special"
err - what's the difference between a Special and a PCSO? I hadn't realised they were different until the comments above.
My understanding is (and I hasten to add, I'm not in "the trade"), that a Special is simply a volunteer Constable, so has all the powers, training etc of a normal PC but doesn't get paid for it and isn't full time.
A PCSO seems to be a cut-down version of a PC, fewer legal powers, I guess less training and fulfils a different role to the PCs and Specials.
if the OP's name is a clue to where they live then, having watched 999: Emergency for the past few weeks, I'd be looking to join somewhere outside of Blackpool 😉
I have a freind who went from special to PC. My sister just joined up as a Police Officer. I think the former is now an easier route with the way that numbers are being cut etc. (my sister joined about 10 years ago and is a Chief Inspector and District Commander now).
Have to say, one was particularly useless when I lost my van once.
My own fault, I suppose.
Not fair to tar them all with the same brush.
The obvious next question.... How did you lose a van, fella?
If your successful in getting a place then they will train you up, give you a new skill set, take you under their wing and develop your skills base and you as a person
Like redacting statements, typing while a senior officer dictates, beating pickets as they pass through your lines in those special places that don't bruise, selective memory loss, etc. 😉
I am joking, some of my best friends are [s]black[/s] policemen. 😀
[i]How did you lose a van, fella? [/i]
and did it turn up in the back of a drawer a few weeks later?
I blame the bird I was with at the time, Binners.
I think it's easily done binners if you've got a cock to contend with too.
Getting slightly back on topic, most forces are very keen for you to experience life as a PCSO before joining, and indeed some will *only* accept new recruits from the ranks of PCSOs. Some aren't recruiting at all.
This thread might be worth reading if you are serious
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/a-coppers-lot
EDIT - hadn't actually realised that PCSO differed from "Special Constable", can someone explain the difference?
I also lost my van once. What's worse, it had all my stuff in it.
NBT - a special is basically a volunteer police officer with the same powers and responsibilities but isn't being paid for the pleasure. Dress the same, use the equipment etc
A PCSO is the one's you will see a lot of on the streets (Dressed with the blue trimmings) just because of the nature of their role. They are Police COMMUNITY SUPPORT OFFICERS and their prime role is to engage with the community. They work full time and are paid a salary. They are not and do not have the powers of police officers. In my experience they do a fantastic job and can be a wealth of experience / knowledge within the communities building up relationships with the public.
That said the role of the PCSO are likely to be phased out in the future the way things are going. Which in my eyes would be a massive shame.
You should have written down the address, aracer: all your fault, you could have been out all night.
I think anyone who wants to get into Specials is doing so as they want to give something back to the community- they are not 'untrustworthy'.
There are probably the odd power-tripper who slips through but I doubt many do.
My son has recently started his training with Avon & Somerset Police, it took him about 5 years in total to get in, and for most of that time he was a Special Constable, so he's had plenty of time to decide if he'll like the job.
I think anyone who wants to get into Specials is doing so as they want to give something back to the community- they are not 'untrustworthy'.
Didn't you read the posts above? Plenty of people join the specials because they want a full time job as a police officer (which is fair enough).
Quantify the number? As far as I'm concerned its a taster for force entry but also people who are genuine/good citizens. 🙂Plenty
One thing I found when starting is that there are a massive proportion of career specials. Those that have no intention of joining the regulars.
There has been a large proportion of specials joining in the last few years wanting full time posts this has mainly been due to recruitment freeze and subsequent internal recruitment.
I know specials that have been serving for over 20 years. I can honestly say I would love a full time post but it would also mean a mahoosive pay cut to leave my currant job so I could very well end up being in the specials for a long long time.
One thing I found when starting is that there are a massive proportion of career specials. Those that have no intention of joining the regulars.
I'd love to do my bit but I couldn't see myself joining full time.
To be honest Hora its not a bad way of doing things.
Getting to put something into the community without having to put up with all the internal politics and shift patterns that comes with a regular job.
You pick and choose your shifts and walk away when you want.
Get on it fella, you won't regret it. I was looking for a new challenge after things getting stale in the day job and a challenge it certainly is.
Get on it Hora
[url= https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jobs.cgi?SID=b3duZXI9NTA0MzkxNCZvd25lcnR5cGU9ZmFpciZwb3N0aW5nX2NvZGU9MzUyJnVzZXJjb2RlPTAmJnJlcXNpZz0xMzUwOTg4NjA2LTcwNWFiNDViYzA2NGY3YmFkMjQzMzgwYTAxYTY2ZmQyNmE0MzA5M2E= ]GMP Recruitment[/url]
Hora, Specials have previous for taking advantage of drunken women.
Is this a wise course of action, considering your reputation?
Id love to join as a special to gain experiance and to get a taste of the job, i did the doors in blackpool for 6 years at the syndicate (biggest club in uk) i was the only lad who had no complaints or court cases against, i even got given a card from a riot copper to ring up hutton training centre to get more info, hed see me every weekend dealing with the dregs and he used to try talk me into joining and at the time lancs constabulary were hiring, wish id of jumped then tbh, now im in a depressing job and feel im wasted, id like a challange and be proud to say what i do for a living , the wife keeps saying that id be good at it due to my size and my attitude and determination, im sure theres a rule that u cant work in the town u live in as a pc due to you running into mates etc and the risk of "letting em off" is this correct? I wouldent mind being posted in blackpool tbh as id like to make a differance as me and the wife are planning on having nippers so would like to feel im doing my bit, i guess its just wait till ur called up then?? I am deadly serious as i dont want to be working for some arrogant shite doing menial labour the rest of my days, iv never had the opportunity to progress or had guidance i feel lost tbh.
I have massive issues with the politics and powers of pcso's but believe that Special Constables are massively beneficial to the police and the comunity and that they should be encouraged.
My only ever bad experience with a special was one in Lincon who came accross as a compleate Tackleburry and used so much police jargon and code that he was incomprehensible to every one in court and i suspect his fellow officers but his heart was in the right place.
Well thats me lost for another 2 years is i have a simple caution from when i stood up for myself in a attempted assault on me, 3 of them against my word and as i was "the big lad" they took their side, ahh well :/
be aware hora that the training with is pretty disruptive, it's doable but the clincher for me was the 7 days holiday I needed to take for the PP training at hough end. just couldn't spare the holiday time so it was a none starter 🙁
Yeh your not wrong Mrchrispy. At the moment your looking at giving up at least one day a weekend for the best part or 4 months, One or two evenings mid week and the hard one as Chrispy said is the Officer Safety Training which is 7 full days training. I had to basically take the 7 days off work (mon-Fri and the following mon-tues). That said the OST is by far the most fun your going to have in training and its a great experience.
Its a fair commitment but as soon as your though the training then your fully in control of what and when you work.
Oh and Hora.... There's lots of women in the police 🙂
and regular members of the Police have been bad apples as well.Specials have previous for taking advantage of drunken women
considering your reputation?
Internet/forum joking aside- My reputation in person is one about relaxing/having as much and a laugh as possible on a bike. In addition I've never shied away from 'getting involved'/would never walk on by someone in trouble. However I can proudly say the last time I hit someone was when I was 18. 
Have you seen how often these pop up??!GMP Recruitment
22yrs with the same woman 8)Oh and Hora.... There's lots of women in the police
What your knowledge of access laws like Hora?
For instance with the right to roam act, could you tell someone where to roam if they didn't know?
hora - MemberSpecials have previous for taking advantage of drunken women
and regular members of the Police have been bad apples as well.
See Marie Lloyd v Metropolitan Police, 1911.
A tragic case.
Rusty Spanner I remember the footage of a Special in Bolton not so long ago on a Sat night who repeatedly punched a reveller when they were on the floor. He did Porridge.
In the Met they have SC crowns on their epaulettes, and their name badge will have 'msc' on it, the rest of the uniform is exactly the same, other forces don't make any distinction When dealing with the public, I identify myself as a police officer, not as a special
...and 4 digit shoulder numbers beginning with "5", reg Met PC's have 3 digit numbers unless they Westminster
We have some good ones. Really keen to learn and come out with team on a regular basis. These ones get all they help they want from the regs and I'll happily go out the with them. However, IME the vast majority of SPecials I have dealings with are either pissed on the uniform or just there for the free travel. These are the ones that are completely out of their depth and it shows
These are the ones that are completely out of their depth and it shows
On a slightly different tangent- Its a huge responsibility isn't it. To step into the uniform. I wonder if I could, I'd be very nervous I bet.
The recruitment drive is ongoing Hora. Currently they have a new intake start approx every 2 - 3 months. The application process takes approx 4 months to get through as well so realistically they'll prob put out another drive next month which will start training in March 2013 and attest roughly July / August time.
I had the recruitment page set as my home screen so checked it prob twice a day, every day. Just keep an eye out and then when it goes live you need to register an interest and attend an open evening.
It is a massive responsibility but to be honest by the time you get on the streets you've spent so much time training with the police and colleagues that you feel very much part of the family.
As Kato said if your keen and want to learn they will help you. I've not come across one copper yet who has not been helpful and appreciative.
Ok I'll up the checking (I usually check once 1-2 weeks) probably why I wasn't getting any hits!
Oh and rusty' everyone on my cul de sac gives me a Christmas card every year so I can't be all that bad in person 😀
I reckon you'd be a credit to the uniform, tbh. 🙂
Do the pants come in size 44 waist? 😐
Lol snap but i like mine baggy so a 46" cnt believe they cnt even let me voulenteer with a simple caution : (
On a serious note- because of a caution, are you serious?!?
A caution seems the easy option at the time, but echoes on down the years.
Anyone not realising aracer was making a little sarcastic joke about being given wrong directions by a special on the last page, really really should not be put in a position of authority to deal with the public.
bigphilblackpool - MemberLol snap but i like mine baggy so a 46" cnt believe they cnt even let me voulenteer with a simple caution : (
Yeah, but a caution for what? You've got zero chance of getting into the job, even as a special, if you've any convictions for violence or dishonesty
......I await the smart remarks off the back of that! 😆
MSP, don't spoil it just yet - my favourite thread of the year so far.... 🙂
The only issue I have with (some) specials is that the 3 I've met have been the sort of self-aggrandising asshats you wouldn't want in the police (strangely unlike almost all the police I've met in person). (All specials met in social situations, all police met in official situations, for transparency). I'm sure this isn't the case with all of them, but in the standard STW way I thought I'd throw in controversial point for discussion 🙂
MSP, don't spoil it just yet - my favourite thread of the year so far....
+1
This has to be a contender for thread of the year! 🙂
Yes a simple caution, long n short all that, blackpools small, i was head doorman at the towns busiest club so as u guess u make some enimies, wont take u on mano el mano or when your on the door they wait till u finish and 3 of them try it on, id thrown out a drugged up lad who had broke his gfs nose, i didnt hit him nor did i treat him like shit, i walked him out in a standard way and as normal, "il kill you you steroid dick etc" "u dnt know who i am" usually its the mouths that dont return, its the quiet ones with a certain look. That plan what their going to do to u. Anyway, i got jumped and assaulted granted i walked away with some teeth missing and a split lip, they must have crawled home, 2 months later at my day job two large coppers enter my work and "wed just like a chat" speech in the van etc and i called a duty soliciter, he advised me to just plead self defence, at this point i realised stupidly the first atacker i headbutted and broke his nose, with this in mind and the thought of cctv etc i got advised to come clean, in the end there was no clear cctv and it was a simple their words against mine, and as i was the big bad bouncer i took the flack, so now again its come back to haunt me, one good thing is the person who give me the caution said one of the lads names aloud as i walked out : ) i said pardon and he just smiled and said keep your nose clean and dont let us see you again.
So i lost my doorbadge which ment i lost my "spends" money, i lost my clean record and my teeth that night, but the nice lady on the phone told me to wait till its cleared and i can apply, id of thought me voulenteering and wanting to do good would be a positive???
You should have written down the address, aracer: all your fault, you could have been out all night.
The trouble is, the van was going to our new house. I didn't even know which borough that was in, let alone the address. I did end up feeling a bit weak because I hadn't had anything to eat - I got so hungry I was almost tempted to eat birdseed.
And you, a poor woman alone in Laaaaahndon Town.
When I'm worried about losing a van, or having to eat birdseed, I phone up the police and tell them exactly what's going on. That way I can call back if things go wrong and they can remind me (they record all calls anyway so it's not like they have to write stuff down - a lot of them can't anyway, I believe)
'Phone, you say?
Not for the likes of us young man. Can't even afford the rent.
But if you're so broke, who paid for the van?
hora - MemberOn a slightly different tangent- Its a huge responsibility isn't it. To step into the uniform. I wonder if I could, I'd be very nervous I bet.
I'd have thought you'd be used to it by now.....
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😆
S.o.g, wasn't really MY van.
I was merely a hanger on, so to speak.
Didn't hang on hard enough, obviously.
You'd have to ask aracer about his particular experience - I think strong drink may have been involved, tbh.
Iron Bru?
Nah, 'Two out' I believe.
And a chat.
'Cos it's little things like that what does you good.
Or so I've heard.