30 replies to this topic

[Bigglesworth]

Apologies if this topic is somewhere else but I had a look and couldn't find much info.

I'm currently training to be a special (will be finished next Friday, can't wait!) but I have also completed my Day 1&2 for DDO's and am awaiting a training date.

A couple of weeks ago I had to send back my posting preferences as they had changed since I first applied in August, and following a phone call to Recruitment, I was told that they were currently placing people on the last DDO course before the summer, which begins in May, and that I would hear back if I'm put on that course.

I was just wondering if anybody had any further information than this, or if there is anybody who has already been told they are on the May course.

Any help would be much appreciated as I'm starting to get a little worried as I really want this posting (and need otherwise I'll need to make plans for alternative employment during the summer!)

Thanks

Bigglesworth

[Nickyc]

Which force have you applied to be a DDO for, and which are you attesting as a special for?

[Bigglesworth]

Met and I will be attesting as a Met Special. Like to keep it local

[BrutusCirrus]

My advice would be to keep ringing back recruitment in the hope that they will get you on that May course! I rang about 10 times as opposed to someone else on the same Day 2 as me and managed to get on the course whereas they didn't. Be persistent!

[D_Mac]

I have also passed my Day 1 & 2 for the DDO role at the Met, and I have been informed via email that all of the courses in April and May (pre-Olympics) are full! They told me that there won't be any more training courses on between June and August because of the Olympics, therefore if you haven't already being given a training date I am guessing you will be in the same boat as me- I have to wait until the Olympics are over and mid-September at the earliest.

Hope this helps

[Übèrnamè]

September seems the best bet unfortunately. It's annoying because you've got the job it's just waiting around without the pay.

My suggestion: As a special, spend as much time in custody as possible. Do attachments and work with CPU to get a better understanding of it. Also try and get yourself a Livescan Password so you can practice before you join (and show off in the training class )

[cool breeze]

I am with Bruttuscirrus on this one. Call them every week . My day2 for Ddo was in Feb this year and i've been calling the vetting help line every wednesday.(Are we there yet?, are we there yet?...)Finally today I ve been told my wetting completed as1st of April . Then I called HR to see if they are informed about this.The answer is of-course not.
Then Hr called vetting to verify what I told them. My result at the moment is waiting on stand-by list for the last course. I am not holding my breath though. I ll start to ring them next wednesday with the question "Has any one dropped yet?" But as i said I am not holding my breath. So my best bet is going to be September too. By the way
WELCOME TO MET!!!

[Ben.]

September seems the best bet unfortunately. It's annoying because you've got the job it's just waiting around without the pay. My suggestion: As a special, spend as much time in custody as possible. Do attachments and work with CPU to get a better understanding of it. Also try and get yourself a Livescan Password so you can practice before you join (and show off in the training class )

MSC are not permitted Livescan access. Some had it a while ago by mistake from the DOI and a Commander went ape and all access, from my understanding has been removed and clear guidance sent to supervisors.

Edited by Ben., 04 April 2012 - 05:55 PM.

[Fenix]

MSC are not permitted Livescan access. Some had it a while ago by mistake from the DOI and a Commander went ape and all access, from my understanding has been removed and clear guidance sent to supervisors.

Sorry since when?? I had Livescan access and so did a lot of other specials I know who worked on response team.

In fact my Livescan access I use as a PC I think still has me down as a Special....

To be honest ... things like "Specials don't get livescan access" when you are in custody with your prisoner as a Special meaning someone else has to do your job for you just gets the MSC a bad name... And gets your face known as someone who is weary... whether that is your fault or not

[Ben.]

Sorry since when?? I had Livescan access and so did a lot of other specials I know who worked on response team.

In fact my Livescan access I use as a PC I think still has me down as a Special....

To be honest ... things like "Specials don't get livescan access" when you are in custody with your prisoner as a Special meaning someone else has to do your job for you just gets the MSC a bad name... And gets your face known as someone who is weary... whether that is your fault or not

It's not for me to say we should or shouldn't. This has been in play since last year. It's like specials can't get access to Custody system because we not trained, so where is the training for Livescan to be done at the required standard?

[Übèrnamè]

On borough. I got trained on Livescan and NSPIS on borough about two years ago and still have access on my specials account. I still know various specials who have access to it. Infact we're in the process of arranging a custody day so that all our specials can be livescan and custody trained.

[Fenix]

It's not for me to say we should or shouldn't. This has been in play since last year. It's like specials can't get access to Custody system because we not trained, so where is the training for Livescan to be done at the required standard?

Specials can get access to Livescan and NSPIS, I had both, as do many others I know.

Livescan training consisted of being given a username and password and being told to get on with it. I don't know of anybody who had any formal training on using Livescan (PC or SC.) (Probably why they're all so bad at it, myself included, but nevermind)

Likewise, the training for NSPIS is an NCALT, which anybody with NCALT can do.

Not having access to Livescan makes you a burden and gets you a bad reputation. Not so bad if you have a super custody with DDOs but you never know when you might need it.

Edited by Fenix, 04 April 2012 - 09:51 PM.

[Ben.]

I couldn't agree more Fenix, I really couldn't.

I'm afraid this is going to be another "one rule for one and one for another" then. As my entire borough has been told this.

[NW9]

I have livescan as MSC. i am a DDO admittedly, but i have 2 accounts, one as MSC one as DDO

Edit; i will add aswell that on my borough msc are not allowed to be gaolers and generally dont have NSPIS access

Edited by Zeus.~, 04 April 2012 - 09:58 PM.

[Simply Special]

I heard that some sgts Frown on you for not being able to use a live scan machine, Which is scary.

[Übèrnamè]

I heard that some sgts Frown on you for not being able to use a live scan machine, Which is scary.

They shouldn't really since most PC's don't do their own prints. Most sgts will just pass it on the DDO's anyway.

[Neotank]

Hi guys. Looking at the earlier comments I'm in the same boat as you guys. My latest update says that I might have to wait until December or Feb as the earliest course dates. My father in Law has me a bit worries and is suggesting that they might not employ now due to budget cuts. I hope this isn't the case and I don't believe it is was just wandering if anyone had any further news or updates I can't wait to start!

Ps sorry about grammar and spelling phone likes to change words!!! :-/

[rehan160]

I was lucky enough to get on to the may course. I doubt the training will be cut because there's training until may 2013 and they wanted 750 DDOs in total. They probably recruited with the budget cuts in mind. I'm sure you'll be fine

[Neotank]

Lovely thanku mate! I mustve just missed that as ur day 1 and 2 were very close to mine! Hope I don't have to wait til feb!!

[Eddie]

Regarding the specials in custody, it may be a borough thing, but to my knowledge the SOPs in Haringey don't allow Specials to work in custody. The staff on the training course said that Met Specials should not be carrying out any gaoler duties at all.

Good luck with the DDO shizzle. Hope you get a start date soon. We could do with some more Haringey way!

[Übèrnamè]

Regarding the specials in custody, it may be a borough thing, but to my knowledge the SOPs in Haringey don't allow Specials to work in custody. The staff on the training course said that Met Specials should not be carrying out any gaoler duties at all.

So you shouldn't be arresting people and bringing them in then?

[rehan160]

Specials arn't allowed to do anything in custody apart from when they're bringing people into custody in every borough. It's a met thing

[Neotank]

Lol thanku mate! I'm counting down the days feel a bit more at ease about it now!

[Übèrnamè]

Specials arn't allowed to do anything in custody apart from when they're bringing people into custody in every borough. It's a met thing

It's not, but ok.

[Neotank]

Bump to my earlier post have just received an email of updated posting choices and Haringey is one of the choices now!