305 replies to this topic

[Shikari]

also i had a letter yesterday dated about my medical which was 3 days ago which cam from occ health and not recruitment starting that i had a medical apointment and not to be late... i was on time thanks to the letter from recruitment, but why would occ health send me a letter two days out of date? im slightly confused but hey ho...

That's the Royal Mail for you

[Tim Horsfall]

i think a phone call to recruitment might not do any harm

[Mikester]

Anyone know if we can collect uniform today with it being a bank hol and if I need to ring ahead?

[Shikari]

I expect it'll be closed, but if you're calling in today ring ahead. But otherwise you don't need to, according to the letter.

[Mikester]

Yay uniform!!!

[Shikari]

How does it look? I'm not picking mine up until friday, and my torch has only just been dispatched.

[Kilo Sierra]

I don't know if it is actually needed to be said....but DO try on your uniform, to make sure it fits as i have seen people issued goodies and it been TOTALLY off, but not noticed till tried to use.

I thought i might just drop that tip in, just incase anyone was thinking of oh, i dont know, no wearing it

J

[Mikester]

I'll be honest I haven't tried it on, just messed about with the button and cuffs.

Oh and the custodian which seems huge, how do you k now if it's too big?

[Kilo Sierra]

I'll be honest I haven't tried it on, just messed about with the button and cuffs.

Oh and the custodian which seems huge, how do you k now if it's too big?

It shouldn't really fall off your head....especially if you say nod your head, it should fit snuggly and not hurt. It should also not be obstructive to your view. It does and is fairly big, but you hardly wear it and when you do you have armour etc on, so doesn't matter.

Have you got a think for buttons Mickster? Did you disclose that in your application? haha

J

[Mikester]

Arghh can't believe I missed that. You all knew I meant baton right?

I love the goretex type tactical vests, you get to wear them a lot?

Edited by Mikester, 10 April 2012 - 07:05 PM.

[Shikari]

Do we get issued the baton and cuffs with the uniform, and not at OPST? Awesome ^^

[Mikester]

Yup, all the belt kit is there (minus CS for obv reasons). Got my badge number too

The trousers are not the greatest, there's a huge amount of crotch space for some reason, even if you do a Simon cowell and have them up real high there's still a lot of room for your junk... You'll see what I mean.

Oh if anyone is going up call ahead and don't arrive between 1230 and 1330 as they are on dinner and won't see you/answer the door. Thankfully I was just in time, unfortunately somebody else wasn't and was turned away.

[Kilo Sierra]

Arghh can't believe I missed that. You all knew I meant baton right?

I love the goretex type tactical vests, you get to wear them a lot?

Yeah, we all knew exactly no worries mate.


Goretex type tactical vests???

[Mikester]

Yeah, we all knew exactly no worries mate.


Goretex type tactical vests???

Not actual goretex but an imitation of it, looks good. Not seen beat bobbies in them, my future bro in law wore these in armed response I'm sure.

I hope we can wear these in the summer as they are very light and breezy:



Apologies for pic quality, iPad camera is terrible

[andrew1979]

That's the standard black top that all Staffs PCs and SCs wear - it's not Goretex (the big hi-vis jacket is), it's what's known as a wicking top as it "wicks" any sweat away from the body. Well it would if you didn't have a stab vest on top...

Edited by andrew1979, 11 April 2012 - 12:37 PM.

[Kilo Sierra]

Yeah, as Andrew1879 very correctly says, thats just the standard black quick-wick shirt. Do you live in the Staffordshire area, or do you commute in? The reason i ask is i don't know what Cheshire/WestMids etc wear.

StaffsPOL issue every PC/SC and their dog gets those tops for all general duties, the only break from this is you get white shirts for training/ceromony/desk based duties (front desk/admin/custody stuff). Civilian staff are issues relevent uniform, so SOCO get polo shirts and front desk get white shirts.

It would be against uniform policy to wear other than your issue top really...cough uniform policy cough i suppose.

I have to find where my whites are for the award cemomony at the end of April...i stress the 'Find' bit

[MikeBrum]

Yeah, as Andrew1879 very correctly says, thats just the standard black quick-wick shirt. Do you live in the Staffordshire area, or do you commute in? The reason i ask is i don't know what Cheshire/WestMids etc wear.

StaffsPOL issue every PC/SC and their dog gets those tops for all general duties, the only break from this is you get white shirts for training/ceromony/desk based duties (front desk/admin/custody stuff). Civilian staff are issues relevent uniform, so SOCO get polo shirts and front desk get white shirts.

It would be against uniform policy to wear other than your issue top really...cough uniform policy cough i suppose.

I have to find where my whites are for the award cemomony at the end of April...i stress the 'Find' bit

West Mids issue the black wicking tops, took them a year after you guys had them mind - you'll notice there are two types, one has the 'POLICE' printed on the arms without epaulette straps and buttons - these were the original Staffs ordered shirts, the newer type have 'POLICE' embroidered on the arm with a wonky 'E', epaulette straps and button and flappy zip cover thing - these are West Mids' style ones, in fact I'd not be surprised if they've gone into ordering together now!

[Shikari]

Can I just ask, seeing as Staffs aren't issed with long sleeve white shirts, only short sleeves, can I buy and wear one of my own? I just don't like stiff collar short sleeve shirts. At all. Although if I have to I will wear them, obviously.

[MikeBrum]

Can I just ask, seeing as Staffs aren't issed with long sleeve white shirts, only short sleeves, can I buy and wear one of my own? I just don't like stiff collar short sleeve shirts. At all. Although if I have to I will wear them, obviously.

You should be issued with one long and one short at your choosing or be able to C5 a long sleeve. On attestation you MUST wear the same sleeve order as everybody else though, so if you were to wear your long sleeve there's a good chance you could be sent home. Obviously in the old days it didn't matter as you had a tunic but things change!

[Kilo Sierra]

Can I just ask, seeing as Staffs aren't issed with long sleeve white shirts, only short sleeves, can I buy and wear one of my own? I just don't like stiff collar short sleeve shirts. At all. Although if I have to I will wear them, obviously.

StaffsPOL have both long and short sleeve black quick-wick shirts as well as white shirts...We were issued 1 long and 1 shirt sleeve white shirt as little as 1 year ago. I do not know what they issue as standard now (as out of training), as i just put the occasional C5 in for odd replacement/up date kit items, such as the long sleeve black quick-wick in winter. If you need something just C5 it when on division.

I would not bother to buy any shirts etc like that, as the time you actually have to wear the whites are few and far between to say the least. So in reality you can just make do. You get used to it while working, so also isn't a problem really. Its better to save your cash for something like a decent torch (a real must).

The 'new' quick-wicks are as you say, not really any different to the 'old' ones in reality, as only the Sgt that actually bother to use the epaulet loops with any regularity around the area i'm stationed.

Honestly, i wouldn't worry about it, as long as you have atleast 2 quick-wicks and some trousers then you can rock and roll, everthing else you can C5 as and when...other than belt order obviously.

You should be issued with one long and one short at your choosing or be able to C5 a long sleeve. On attestation you MUST wear the same sleeve order as everybody else though, so if you were to wear your long sleeve there's a good chance you could be sent home. Obviously in the old days it didn't matter as you had a tunic but things change!

Attestation...is about the most flexible day i've heard of! Some with helment, so without. Some long, some short sleeves, so wolly trousers, some light weight, so polished boots, some just turn up...its arranged and planned in advance, but the group decide, the trainers just advise usually. I should add, that you will have plenty of chance to get the uniform you need and will be briefed by your course trainer (as you were there when everone planned) about what to wear or not...they wont just toss you out. If it does look dodgy with stores not giving people the kit to look uniform, then everyone can just wear their national uniform fleese. Where there is a will, there is a way!

J

Edited by Kilo Sierra, 11 April 2012 - 02:22 PM.

[Shikari]

I've got my torch. It arrived today. LED Lenser P7. Beautiful piece of kit ^^

[Mikester]

There's a white long sleeved and a short sleeved shirt in my issue, also there are 2 of those wick tops both short sleeved both have loops.

Not bought a torch yet, got my boots though.


Everything on the belt is ultra stiff so clasping and unclamping the equip is tough. I guess the leather gives after a while.


A lot of the packaging had 'west mids' labelled on it, so that should answer some theories

[.James]

Got my Medical date, May 2nd .

I got to pick the time too as i was the first person they called! Still went for 9am, i don't know why i do this to myself

[-AJ]

Not actual goretex but an imitation of it, looks good. Not seen beat bobbies in them, my future bro in law wore these in armed response I'm sure.

I hope we can wear these in the summer as they are very light and breezy:

*snipped picture*

Apologies for pic quality, iPad camera is terrible

If you've not seen beat bobbies in them where have you been looking? The other way? We've worn them for the last 2.5 years. They are covered under a stabvest obviously... You will wear a white shirt at HQ or any other office based role, otherwise it's wicking shirt, and stab vest being compulsory as soon as you set foot outside the gate.

*edit* MIght be 3 years. Not sure.

It shouldn't really fall off your head....especially if you say nod your head, it should fit snuggly and not hurt. It should also not be obstructive to your view. It does and is fairly big, but you hardly wear it and when you do you have armour etc on, so doesn't matter.

Have you got a think for buttons Mickster? Did you disclose that in your application? haha

J

In fairness it SHOULD be obstructive to your view. The whole point is it cuts off the top of your vision forcing you to walk with your head held back - thus making you look dignified. Or that was the original purpose. It's why the point at the front should be from thumb tip to first knuckle from the end of your nose when wearing it.

Edited by -AJ, 11 April 2012 - 06:29 PM.

[Mikester]

I'm an angel so have had not one single dealing with the police. Plus the guys I've seen in the town centres are in hi vis jackets. You're prob right, in town I'm looking for the gaps to squeeze past the slow movers to get in and get out.



Back on topic... Is there still only me and Shikari attending from the forum this weekend?