40 replies to this topic

[matt_stntn]

Hi all,

I am waiting to start my training in may (after many set-backs) and was wondering who else is starting then and if someone could let me in on what it's like, any insite would be greatly appreciated.
I'm somewhat nervous and yet excited, I think after about 2 years I just want to get started now.

Edited by matt_stntn, 26 March 2012 - 07:22 AM.

[Papa Romeo]

Hi Matt,

Is this for specials or regulars?

[matt_stntn]

Sorry, specials. My plan is to become a reg asap.

[Papa Romeo]

<sub>I might also be starting on 17th May, after finally getting through the medical a couple of weeks ago at the 2nd attempt!

Applied back in July 2011, didn't realise it could be such a long frustrating process a bit like swimming through treacle!

Ah well, nearly there now, just waiting for that letter to land on the mat - would also be interested in hearing the experiences of anyone in training at the moment or recently been through training.</sub>

[matt_stntn]

I would of thought your letter would be arriving today.
I spoke to recruiting last week and they told me that they were sending letters out this week, I have not received my letter yet either.

Just to let you know, your letter will confirm which training course your on with your collar number and a little pack of info to read and fill out.
Your pack will contain the following:
Offer of appointment letter, Info. security booklet, Safety footware info; Entering Leices. constabulary uniform service, Info. on support associations, Data protection guide, Data protection questionnaire, Confidentiality agreement, H&S agreement, care first inof; Standards and an envelope to return the required paperwork.

In regardes to the training, I have asked around and everyone seem to come back with the same answer, that is absolutly fantastic but no details. I suppose that what's covered is the same but the manner in which it's delivered differs from course to course.

I was supposed to start training in march, but my boss decided that he wanted a holiday during my training dates.
One last thing, it is such a buzz when your recieve your collar number, as it all starts to become real, all this waiting is comming to an end.

[Papa Romeo]

Thanks for the heads up Matt, yeah can't wait to get my collar number and start training.

Did you get your letter, still not got mine........

[Burnie]

Make sure you keep hold of that "Care First" leaflet and put it somewhere that you can find it.


You never know what incident you might go to that sets you off. It may not even be the traditional 'traumatic' incidents (i.e. sudden deaths and Fatal RTCs) which means that the incident you go to that 'messes you up' may not trigger a contact from Welfare when you most need it.

Edited by Burnie, 02 April 2012 - 08:33 PM.

[Papa Romeo]

Hi Burnie,

Thanks for joining in this thread, makes it all sound a bit more real when you hear about the experiences of a serving police officer.

After being stuck in the recruitment process for what seems like forever, you tend to lose focus on the reason why you applied in the first place!

It will be good to finally get on with the training and actually start serving

[matt_stntn]

Still not received my letter, but I spoke to recruiting and they told me that their has been a delay in getting the letters out, so hopefully this week or the start of next but they assured me that they would be sent out very soon.

Following on from what Burnie was saying, I have a box folder with everything I have received from the Police all labled (a little OCD), but it's very handy as I've need to go through it on a number of occasions.

I know how you feel Papa Romeo I first put my application form in back in August/September 2010.
Roll on the 17th May.

[jackh]

Evening all,

Just thought I'd reignite this thread seeing as though hopefully people have received their letters! Mine was dated as 5/4/2012 but have been away from uni so I've only just received it! I have been allocated on the 17th May training course!
When did you guys have your assessment day and fitness test?

I'll introduce myself, might help people out on the 17th if we know a bit about each other before we get there;

I'm Jack, 20 years old and studying Criminology and Social Policy at Loughborough. Joining the specials to help (hopefully) around Loughborough, especially with students with the eventual aim of, post degree, joining as a regular.

Looking forward to meeting you guys

[Papa Romeo]

Alright Jack,

I'm Pete, a civil engineer by profession but am currently 'between jobs'. I have been doing some voluntary work in the past year, working as a mentor to young offenders, bit of an eye opener I can tell you!

I applied to be a special back in July last year, assessment day was in august and fitness in september. Didn't realise it was gonna be such a long process, but now its finally all sorted I can't wait to start training.

How about you Jack, when did you apply etc?

[matt_stntn]

My name Matt,

I work for a large Trade/DIY Chain, currently in Northampton. I put my application from in back in Aug. 2010 then my assesment centre was in Oct. 2010 missed out by 2 points . Re-sat 6 months later and passed. The fitness test was shortly after, one of the longest was all the checks. I then had to do my medical twice. got accepted onto the March intake and my new boss decided he wanted a holiday during my training so I had to put it back untill the 17th. So all in all once the training has finished it has taken just over 2 years from start to fininsh. Sorry to go off on one.

[jackh]

*Searches for paperwork....*

Applied: 30th November
Passed paper sift: 9th December
Invited to assessment process: 10th January
Assessment day: 21 January
Passed assessment day: 31st January
Passed Fitness test: 13th February
Passed Medical: 2nd March
Confirmed post of Special Constable and Collar Number: 5th April

Start training 17th May!

So looking at others application process it seems my 6 months is nothing! Hopefully if anyone has started training tonight they can let us know what to expect!
(If the forum stays on line long enough... who said that?!? )

[jackh]

Has everyone had their uniform fitting? Had mine on the 1st of May, such a buzz when you see yourself in all the gear!

[Papa Romeo]

You're right Jack it is a great feeling, had my uniform fitting about 4 weeks ago

Its starting to feel a bit more real now, not quite sure what to expect with the training..........suppose we'll all find out in 5 days!

[Chris28190]

You're right Jack it is a great feeling, had my uniform fitting about 4 weeks ago

Its starting to feel a bit more real now, not quite sure what to expect with the training..........suppose we'll all find out in 5 days!

You will love every minute of it

[matt_stntn]

the unifrom fitting is very serreal. realy looking forward to training and meeting all of you guys.
It's been great chatting to all of you, I'm not feeling so nervous now that i'll be training with a great bunch of people.

[jackh]

I am a little nervous but in an excited kind of way. I don't really know what to take with me though, I guess, pens and paper, a bag for uniform, the form on data protection which we need to fill out on the first session and I guess dress code of semi-smart? I was expecting some more information from HR prior to the first session!

[matt_stntn]

Hi Jack,
just to let you know that the data protection sheet, need to be filled out before you go on thursday and taken with you.
I know what you meen about HR, Strange, unless we'll be going into all that or atleast some info on it during training.

[jackh]

Oh really?
It said on the Questionnaire to use the Data Protection staff guide to answer the questions and when I looked through my pack it said that the data protection staff guide is available on intranet upon commencement with Leicestershire constabulary?!? But of course, I can't get on the intranet yet/if I can, I don't know how!

[Chris28190]

Oh really?
It said on the Questionnaire to use the Data Protection staff guide to answer the questions and when I looked through my pack it said that the data protection staff guide is available on intranet upon commencement with Leicestershire constabulary?!? But of course, I can't get on the intranet yet/if I can, I don't know how!

When I had this pack I didn't complete it as the booklet you needed wasn't inclosed. Give it ago though most are easy enough anyway.

[Burnie]

Oh really?
It said on the Questionnaire to use the Data Protection staff guide to answer the questions and when I looked through my pack it said that the data protection staff guide is available on intranet upon commencement with Leicestershire constabulary?!? But of course, I can't get on the intranet yet/if I can, I don't know how!

Thats good because, in theory, you cant get a login until youve completed the 'test' and yet you need a logi to see the document you need to be able to pass the 'test'...

When i joined they included a paper copy of the booklet

[jackh]

Thats good because, in theory, you cant get a login until youve completed the 'test' and yet you need a logi to see the document you need to be able to pass the 'test'...

When i joined they included a paper copy of the booklet

When I had this pack I didn't complete it as the booklet you needed wasn't inclosed. Give it ago though most are easy enough anyway.

I have just realised that the questionnaire is the "Data Protection/Information Security Questionnaire
And although I don't have a copy of the data protection staff guide, there is a paper copy of the information security booklet. I'll sit down and look at it this afternoon and guess the answers should all be in there! Cheers for your help guys!

[Papa Romeo]

Thanks for the reminder about the Data Protection Questionnaire guys, I had forgot about that

And following on from what Jack says, if you have a look at the list of info provided with the joining pack (extract below)......

• Data Protection Questionnaire - Document to bring on your first day
  
• Confidentiality Agreement - Document to be completed and returned in the pre-paid envelope provided
  
• Health & Safety Agreement - Document to be completed and returned in the pre-paid envelope provided

.....it implies that the Data Protection Questionnaire doesn't need to be completed.

Good job, just had a quick look at the questionnaire and its fairly detailed!


......4 days and counting!

[matt_stntn]

If anyone needs help with anything, give me a shout. I completed mine a couple of weeks ago and had a mate of mine who is a reg. look over it and he was saying it look OK.

The answers to page 1 is in the booklet. The principles are in the booklet sort of. you can answer these (Pg2 and 3) without the book, but you'll need to do some digging