Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[Ain't Nobody Here]

On another thread about my ES looking for voluntary work, Fred came up with the brilliant idea of applying to be a Special Constable.

 

ES was very keen and is now half way through the application forms, which look quite straightforward, but if anyone has any first hand experience or knows someone who has, any tips about the application process or the actual job would be much appreciated .

Edited December 1, 2014 by Guest

[Geoid]

I have sent you a PM

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Thanks, Fred, I've replied .

[patsylabrador]

I feel I should have something useful to say but I don't really. I think Fred is your man for this. The position of Special Constable has changed a lot over the years.

Little bits of advice though-

 

be prepared that from the very first moment you step out of that station door in your uniform the public expect you to be able to deal with their problems. Whatever your rank or experience or age you have to be able to take charge.

 

don't waver, if you've made a decision that you are happy with and can justify then stick with it. The public are great mickey takers and will try anything to get their own way. Expect varying degrees of abuse when they don't, lots take the term ' public servant' far too literally.

 

always have an answer. You have to justify everything you do to everyone so you need to be prepared to do just that. You can't just shrug your shoulders and say you were having a bad day- police officers aren't allowed those.

 

Gut feeling is very important in this job, if something feels wrong then it probably is. I'm afraid it is very easy to become very cynical very quickly.

 

Your son will get lots of training but I think these are worth mentioning.

[gavclojak]

My son failed the interview for a SPC....the was asked to describe London in one word, he replied "eclectic" but apparently the word they were looking for was "diverse" (I didn't even know he knew what eclectic meant!)

As he failed by only a point or two he is allowed to reapply in six months but with a full time now I'm not sure that's a viable option for him.

[Charlottechicken]

My son failed the interview for a SPC....the was asked to describe London in one word, he replied "eclectic" but apparently the word they were looking for was "diverse"

 

I think your son's answer was more appropriate, looking at the dictionary definition.

[gavclojak]

Thanks I agree, he said he went in, smiled and said good morning hoping to engage them I expect but all he got back was Stoney silence and a glare from one who he called "medusa"

He said they didn't try at any point to put him at ease and he was really nervous, he was also the only one who arrived in a suit so he thinks that went against him.

It's a real shame, he is a really good bright kid and would be a credit to the police, unfortunately that episode really knocked his confidence, this was his first official "interview" and they should remember he would be giving his time FREE!!!

It was a very "diverse" panel, an African woman, and Indian woman and my son couldn't say where the guy came from as he couldn't identify his accent.

 

Ps while I was revelling in the glory of my sons use of the word eclectic, I asked him how he came by it, "oh it's the title of a Wycliffe Jean album" he said.....enough said!!!!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Thanks for that insight, Jude, very useful (and a bit scary from my point of view!)

 

What a shame, Gavlojak, those interviewers sound a bit rubbish . I'll prime ES to think of a word that describes Edinburgh - cold, windy, hilly ?

[patsylabrador]

I believe that is the standard interview technique, certainly for the Metpol. I don't see how they can assess someone's character if they don't engage with them. I think it's something to do with equality and not judging people by appearance etc but I don't know.

Diversity is their obsession. Anyone who lives in a large urban sprawl is well aware of our diverse society and we all rub along perfectly well until it is rammed down our throats. That causes resentment and suspicion of positive discrimination.

I also think eclectic is a much better word to describe London. I learned that word watching Frasier.

[chickencam]

Good luck to your son, I have great admiration for people who do such a difficult and valuable job for free.

[gavclojak]

Diversity is their obsession. Anyone who lives in a large urban sprawl is well aware of our diverse society and we all rub along perfectly well until it is rammed down our throats. That causes resentment and suspicion of positive discrimination.

I also think eclectic is a much better word to describe London. I learned that word watching Frasier.

 

I agree with you 100%, you literally took the words out of my mouth...well apart from the fraiser bit

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Sadly, he heard today that he didn't even get through to interview . No idea why, I wonder if it's because they advertised for the first time (I believe) and just had so many applications they had to be pretty ruthless? I am surprised, I can't see any reason why they wouldn't want to at least meet him .

 

He's started as a volunteer ranger with Sustrans though, so at least that's something to be going on with. Just got to find a real job now to go with it .

[gavclojak]

Oh I am sorry to hear that, it's so frustrating isn't it when we know our boys have so much to offer. I just wanted to add, further to my last post about my sons unsuccessful interview for SC, I have had three patient telling me over the last few weeks that they are pcso's....I live in a reasonably diverse area but I mention these people as their English was so poor and their writing almost illegible!! Ticking boxes one thinks!!

[patsylabrador]

Big shame and as you say very frustrating. Two of mine have been rejected. My daughter was furious, absolutely furious. I know they would have been excellent. They've moved on and The Job is missing out on two fine career officers.

[patsylabrador]

Two suggestions he may not have thought of.

 

HGV licence. Bit of an investment and probably difficult to get work until he's 23 or so because of insurance etc - might be different in Scotland though. But very worthwhile investment for the future. OH, ES and MS have found having an HGV licence to be a life saver.

Whatever job you have, if it falls through you can find work as a lorry driver. MS just loves going to work and is eager to get his HGV1 now.

 

Paramedic training. YS is in the last week of initial training. It's been pretty tough going he just has driving tests to get through, fingers crossed, if he fails he's out of a job! He's loving it though, very happy, especially this week - blues and twos training.