61 replies to this topic

[lilolil88]

I am currently doing my specials training and I have opted to go to Bexley when I get out on borough.

I have since been told that Bexley is a very quiet borough and just wondered if anyone was currently working there and what their option of this borough is.

I can't decide whether to stick with Bexley or whether to try and change my borough to Greenwich. Just want some opinions on what borough will be best.

Thanks.

[Rollwithit]

I am currently doing my specials training and I have opted to go to Bexley when I get out on borough.

I have since been told that Bexley is a very quiet borough and just wondered if anyone was currently working there and what their option of this borough is.

I can't decide whether to stick with Bexley or whether to try and change my borough to Greenwich. Just want some opinions on what borough will be best.

Thanks.

I work in Bexley and have also heard that Bexley is fairly quiet although I understand they have a very good MSC setup. I have opted for Greenwich Borough when I finnish training, got a few friends who are regulars there, been out on a few ride arounds with them. Fairly lively and varied from what I experienced! My sister also used to work at Bexley as a PCSO and now works as a PC out of Croydon. She advised against Bexley.

I'm sure Bexley is still a great borough to work on, but already working here I want a change of scenery!

[JackDaniels]

Bexley can in fact be very busy... dont believe what people tell you. Remember that per head of population Bexley has fewer officers than some other boroughs so the saying "thin blue line" is very true at times.

Bexley has crime but it is not so in your face as other SE London boroughs. Burglary, anti-social behaviour, drink related disorder, domestics, drugs, criminal damage are very much in evidence. There is less violent crime than in other boroughs but Bexley does have it's gang problems although they are less inclined to "shank" someone. Consequently there wont be a crime scene, constant watch or hospital guard every shift (which believe me for a new Special is a good thing).

If you end up on a Safer Neighbourhood Team in a nicer area and the other officers or skipper are lazy then you wont learn much but there are some very good teams in Bexley. If you can get on a Response team, you will learn loads and at a pace that is just about manageable. The other thing to say is that Bexley because of it's size is more intimate... you are not just a number, you are someone that will be appreciated and respected (as long as you throw yourself into it). Also I know that there is a core social group of Specials in Bexley, they are a good fun bunch of people so if you are looking for some social aspects as well then Bexley is a good choice.

I know what I am talking about because I live in Bexley for 38 years, was a Special there and am now a Regular in what people consider a busy inner London borough. I'm almost out of my probation now and frankly if I could return to Bexley I would be more than happy to. It's a borough where you can make the job whatever you want without people constantly breathing down your neck or being a slave to Metcall.

Edited by JackDaniels, 20 August 2010 - 08:00 PM.

[Loretta]

I've not been on this site for a few years, but as one of the RY lot, I can say it's truely "great". I'd agree with all that was previously said...
If you need to choose between Greenwich and Bexley, think about your journey to and from the station - especially if you are leaving late at night.
There have been lots of changes with the organisation and management of our MSC but things are pretty good right now!

Hope to see you soon!

[SkinSte]

Whilst Bexley is "quiet", as others have said there are less officers per capita than most other boroughs mening that when it gets busy, it seems to get very busy. It's not that unusual for Bexley to call in support from neighbouring boroughs and even Kent Police on occasion. However, this is from an outside point of view as I don't actually work in RY so not sure of what work the MSC do there.

Greenwich is rather varied. The O2 makes things interesting and can kick off bigtime, you have areas more associated with inner London than outer problems (gangs, drugs, weapons, firearms), large drinking areas in a couple of town centres but none on the scale of other areas such as Lambeth. Also it has larger suburban sprawl areas and the issues linked to that; ASB, domestics, burglaries, youth issues, low level drug use, etc.

Both RG and RY cover Thamesmead though, so there's no winners there

[smileynialley]

Im a special in Bexley and i love it here.You will get out of the borough what yo put in i.e if you sit back and wait for something massive to happen you will get nothing but if you go out looking for stuff you will find it.
We cover Thamesmead(housing the T-Block gang),Erith,abbey wood,several traveller sites,The broadway which has lots of pubs and clubs and loads of other towns in the borough.
I rarely come away from a shift feeling bored and the MSC team we have at RY is rapidly shooting up the ranks in the met.
We may not have the crime rates of places like brixton but as others have said, we are usually spread pretty thin so are constantly dealing with things.
PM me if you'd like any more info.

[Marx]

I'm a PC working on a response team on Greenwich Borough. I can't really make any comments about Bexley Borough, as I've never worked there. Greenwich now has a good setup for new specials with a very structured progression.

I have just taken on being a Mentor for special constables on my team.

Like other people have said I think there may be other issues (such as travelling distance) that should inform your decision.

(For the record Thamesmead is split between RY and RG, granted that RY have the pooey end)

Edited by Marx, 10 September 2010 - 01:59 PM.

[Steve Collins]

Thirty some years back I was SC121 'R' based at Greenwich. Is there still n SC 121 'R' out there??

[TroyTempest]

121 would belong to a regular these days, the nearest equivilant might be <snipped> as essentially borough based special constables are prefixed <snipped> digit shoulder numbers

Edited by Cheetah, 17 January 2012 - 12:50 PM.
An old post I know but operational info removed none the less

[steve1981]

Hi Lilolil88.

I also echo what everyone else has said on here. Where Bexley is generally quieter compared to neighbouring boroughs, as others have also pointed out there are there advantages such as being able to develop your knowledge and experience at a steady pace. I am in quite a bit (190 hours last month) and I never leave a day without doing something. And more times than not, it is rather busy. There is almost ALWAYS a call to go to and that is when you are not proactively patrolling and coming across your on stuff.

The MSC management team are fantastic. If you need anything, they will help you get it. There are also regular training events for you to either recap what you learnt at Hendon (but more in depth) aswell as topics that don't get covered.

One thing that you don't get taught at training is how to deal with most incidents when you get there. (well I didn't anyway) These training nights will explain what to do as soon as you arrive at the scene right through to logging off after everythings completed.

I recommend RY and if I had the choice again, I'd come back here. :-)

[Cookie82]

I'm a PC working on a response team on Greenwich Borough. I can't really make any comments about Bexley Borough, as I've never worked there. Greenwich now has a good setup for new specials with a very structured progression.

I have just taken on being a Mentor for special constables on my team.

Like other people have said I think there may be other issues (such as travelling distance) that should inform your decision.

(For the record Thamesmead is split between RY and RG, granted that RY have the pooey end)

@ Marx - Hiya, my concern is as put early - travelling to and from the station i.e. i do not drive and may like to cycle in. Hence my first choice is Bexley but apparently the borough is over subscribed?? But having spoken to a few PC's / SC's they say they are still taking on new people?

Anyway, this post on what boroughs are like has been a real help!! thank you!

Cookie

[Übèrnamè]

You can park push bikes and motorbikes in the yard.

[SBG]

From my limited information about the two boroughs, and references from SC who work there, both have come a long way and are welcoming to MSC. They have good management teams who are always happy to help.

[steve1981]

I worked on Bexley for over two years and it certainly is a fantastic borough with great officers and fantastic management. (See post earlier up page from me)

They should be accepting if only a few new specials as about 12 or so of us have just resigned to become regulars in other boroughs. Give it a whirl... you won't regret it. And the social element as mentioned is all true. A great group of people who look out for one another no matter what, and that includes the management!!

[Rollwithit]

Greenwich MSC is really good, excellent team and helped me get to IPS in just over 4 months (with a lot of hours!) they've even got MSC Q cars with ANPR!

The team organise lots of operations so there is lots of variation and opportunities to get experience in different areas of policing.

[Cookie82]

Ahh great stuff guys! Cheers... I managed to get placed to Bexley in the end - So anyone here who is still at Bexley look out for me in a few months time! I look like the guy off the Gadget show... bald and glasses!

Really looking forward to getting stuck in - I heard the social bit from a few regs and PCSO's who work in Bexley, and I know from some stories that its a laugh!

Cookie

[oohraa]

Consequently there wont be a crime scene, constant watch or hospital guard every shift (which believe me for a new Special is a good thing).

Didn't think we were aloud to do any of those anyway?

[SBG]

Didn't think we were aloud to do any of those anyway?

Off topic - But yes there is policy that says we should not do it - however, in the sprit of team dynamics I would not be pointing it out too often.

[Ben.]

Constant Watches is the only task MSC is 100% not allowed to do, due to no Jailer Training and the insurance if someone dies in custody. A commander did a check once where I was working and a MSC officer was posted on Constant. The Custody officer was suspended on the spot and a full investigation was conducted.

Hospital Guards / Crime Scene is fine though.

[Bobby-Bali]

That's a stupid sop...all custody training was was a 1 hour ncalt! Add that to the mandatory packages, and hey presto, msc can be more useful.

[Ben.]

Very ture

[Simply Special]

Constant Watches is the only task MSC is 100% not allowed to do, due to no Jailer Training and the insurance if someone dies in custody. A commander did a check once where I was working and a MSC officer was posted on Constant. The Custody officer was suspended on the spot and a full investigation was conducted.

Hospital Guards / Crime Scene is fine though.

Very interesting. in Northamptonshire police, specials are always called to do constant watches. I did a constant watch for 12 hours and i was so bored i decided to listen to Heart FM on my phone

[DukeDan]

I put Bexley as my second choice in my application. Greenwhich as my first. Sounds like I should've swapped them around!

[Asimov]

Plus of course MSC cannot be firearms trained (not sure if that includes Tasers). Pretty much everything else is allowed atleast in theory isn't it?

[SkinSte]

I'd choose Greenwich over Bexley any day of the week.