6 replies to this topic

[Juliet Charlie]

Hi Folks,

I have just sent my application form away for the september 2012 intake for special Constables.

I have a few questions and i hope someone will be able to answer them.

Will my SET'S , INTERVIEW, MEDICAL ETC , be before september , meaning the 12 week course starts in September.

And also how long will the process of SET'S ,MEDICAL ETC take before the 12 week course, just so I know approximately how many days I need off work before the start of the 12 week course.

How long does the whole process of becoming a special take?

Thanks !

Edited by Juliet Charlie, 22 February 2012 - 07:10 PM.

[pottheed]

I know a few people who strathclyde have promised to be on this or that course and it has never materialized and has been delayed etc.

If you are near the border have you considered applying to central, tayside or L&B who I have heard are very quick,

then if you want you could always transfer to strathclyde area since next year we will all become one!

If you want a straight answer, best ring recruitment!

[MacGregor]

Things like the SET, vetting, medical etc will all take place before September. I don't know about Strathclyde (I'm applying to L&B) but I sat my SET one evening at a local school and it took about two hours from start to finish.

Edited by CharlieJulietMike, 22 February 2012 - 07:56 PM.

[Marty McFly]

Hi Folks,

I have just sent my application form away for the september 2012 intake for special Constables.

I have a few questions and i hope someone will be able to answer them.

Will my SET'S , INTERVIEW, MEDICAL ETC , be before september , meaning the 12 week course starts in September.

And also how long will the process of SET'S ,MEDICAL ETC take before the 12 week course, just so I know approximately how many days I need off work before the start of the 12 week course.

How long does the whole process of becoming a special take?

Thanks !

Everything is before the intake, the start date will probably be the first Sunday in September

You will need the following days off, (or you could do half days if your work allows it, you can travel direct from/to work and that the times available with the force allow it)

SET - 1 day (or half day)
Interview - 1 day (or half day)
Medical - 1 day (or half day)
Drugs test - 1 day (or half day)
Uniform fitting -1 day (or half day)

So in total 5 days, or 2 and a half days if you can take half days (although if your taking half days id always advise taking them on the afternoon, then that way if it runs late your late home rather than taking a half day in the morning then your late to your work after)

Although it's only 5 days, it will take place over a couple of months at least (you can probably pick uniform fitting and medical on the same day, but the rest there is a few weeks between SET and interview, then vetting takes ages, etc. probably june/July /august is when it will all take place for the september intake, so you won't be able to do it in a block in one week.

As said, be aware we are transitioning to one national Scottish force in April 2013, so you will be the last ever specials intake for strathclyde

Although we don't know what's happening with specials yet, our uniform issue varies between forces (for example we get more trousers and t shirts than lothian and Borders), driving policies vary, some only allow specials basic driving, other don't let specials drive at all, however in our force there is one special who is response trained and quite a few who have their basic driving as it's down to operational need. So slightly off topic, but if I was you id be following the developments with keen interest as your only going to be in 3 months or so before the changes hit

Edited by andyfofo, 22 February 2012 - 11:07 PM.

[Scot]

Hi there,

I sent off my application a few days ago for a special constable. They emailed me back in about 5 minutes saying that email was blank, I looked like such a wally. Hopefully they will be speedy in their processing of the applications! If we're lucky they will hopefully put us through SETS/Interview before the summer, as I am away for a bit of it. and the medical will be around august time!

[Marty McFly]

Hi there,

I sent off my application a few days ago for a special constable. They emailed me back in about 5 minutes saying that email was blank, I looked like such a wally. Hopefully they will be speedy in their processing of the applications! If we're lucky they will hopefully put us through SETS/Interview before the summer, as I am away for a bit of it. and the medical will be around august time!

just so your aware recruitment for regs is currently open and as such will obviously take priority in terms of processing and progressing, since your intake isnt until september, just remember though there will be multiple chances to sit your SET's, etc so if your on holiday picking another date won't be a problem

[Scot]

Just talked to the recruitment staff on the phone and asked them a general question at the end on how long it will take before we hear back. She said that depending on how many people get through to SETS then they will arrange something sooner. She said the bit that takes the longest is vetting which can sometimes take up to 2 months to complete fully, depending on the person. So she said that they might have everything done by summer depending on how far you get, and you just have to complete your medical in august. She did say however, That i was right to get it in quick, If I applied in May then I could be pushed back until next March's intake, and that would take longer due to the single scottish police force coming into effect.