13 replies to this topic

[JW47]

Hey guys, I'm new here so hey hey everyone

Just wondering, if I could ask you guys from your experience, before this gets moved, if it does get moved, to another board.

What are the health checks like when it comes to your eyesight being borderline on the limit for the visual acuity and sight checks?

I just walked in to an optician's today and checked if they had any appointments today, the wait to see if I was too short sighted or not was killing me.
Optician said he'd be realistic with me, my eyesight visual acuity has stabilised, almost hasn't changed since I was 18 two years ago, but it's just over the border he says, landing just about in the unfavourable side of the numbers. Said my vision when corrected with glasses was more than exceptional, interestingly enough to him too. But it's about what you can see without glasses isn't it?
I wrote down what most sites were saying were the stats for eyesight requirements and he understood immediately what I was looking for.

Would I possibly be allowed an exception here? Is the 6/36 statistic very enforced here? I'd be more than devastated if it means immediate rejection. I'll be stuck working in Morrisons' petrol station forever.

Thanks for the help guys, really looking forward to applying later this year for Barrow in Furness specials.

Edited by JW47, 22 May 2012 - 10:02 PM.

[pottheed]

what I would advise is get laser eye surgery done, wait 6 weeks then apply, my best friend did it and for a small payment each week for laser eye surgery, he was able to get into the police

[Wrighty112]

Howdo, basically the only people that can answer your question will be Occupational Health at Penrith HQ. Give the recruitment HR team a ring at Penrith and explain you have an enquiry with Occ Health regarding your eye sight, they will be more than happy to put you through.

[JW47]

what I would advise is get laser eye surgery done, wait 6 weeks then apply, my best friend did it and for a small payment each week for laser eye surgery, he was able to get into the police

Aye, was thinking that. The level of surgery required increases the price, the more short sighted you are, the more you pay etc. That's what's scaring me about Laser eye surgery.
Though I've not ruled it out. I think I'd enjoy doing my part for town through the specials and hopefully the police as a full officer one day, if it comes to it, I'll do it.
Recently just tried to go for contacts too, it's horrible trying to excersize with glasses on sometimes.

Howdo, basically the only people that can answer your question will be Occupational Health at Penrith HQ. Give the recruitment HR team a ring at Penrith and explain you have an enquiry with Occ Health regarding your eye sight, they will be more than happy to put you through.

Thanks, will do mate. Hah ah there's this horrible gut feeling I'm trying to resist, fearing that they'll say "Sorry, we can't really take you on with that."

Edited by JW47, 22 May 2012 - 10:21 PM.

[Wrighty112]

Well if they do say that you wont pass, you still have the option to get the surgery and apply 6 weeks later, Cumbria are taking on specials 4 times a year, so theres always spaces if you get in after the surgery.

[JW47]

Well if they do say that you wont pass, you still have the option to get the surgery and apply 6 weeks later, Cumbria are taking on specials 4 times a year, so theres always spaces if you get in after the surgery.

True, that's good to hear actually, it's a good bit of weight off my chest, at least. To know that it's somewhat frequent.

[Wrighty112]

yeah, it the process takes a while. If you read my signiture, the timeline outlines the process from start to finish.

[JW47]

yeah, it the process takes a while. If you read my signiture, the timeline outlines the process from start to finish.

Hmm, about a year.

I'm wondering as well, whether to sign up soon or to keep hitting the gym for a bit. I'm needing to get down to 14 stone to fit the BMI requirement for myself.
If PIRT isn't the fitness testing then I might as well apply as soon as possible then.
Will give Penrith HQ a call tommorow to see if I can get an answer too.

[Wrighty112]

Id apply now as if you get through to the medical and fitness tests it will be around 8-9 months down the line. Fill in the online form at: http://www.cumbria.p...cial-constables

At least then you will be in the system. PIRT is (Police Initial Recruitment Test) a testing day which includes maths/english and interview. OR.. if you do the national centre it consists of Situational Judgment Test, Interview and report writing. If you pass the assessment day you will be invited to a medial/fitness test which for me was 4 months later as there is a lot of vetting checks to be done in the meantime

Edited by Wrighty112, 22 May 2012 - 10:55 PM.

[JW47]

Brilliant, will get signed up and read a bit into the PIRT and the national centre's assessment. Thanks.

[nick6689]

From my personal experience I think so long as you are fine with your glasses you will be ok! I needed glasses quite badly when I first started (now only need them for reading and driving!) I still managed to pass the sight test, I would do as others have suggested ring up and speak to Occ Health, they are always willing to help and are a great bunch. Dont be disheartened though if you do fall below the required level, they will always work with you to try and resolve issues so just keep going with it!

Cheers.

[JW47]

From my personal experience I think so long as you are fine with your glasses you will be ok! I needed glasses quite badly when I first started (now only need them for reading and driving!) I still managed to pass the sight test, I would do as others have suggested ring up and speak to Occ Health, they are always willing to help and are a great bunch. Dont be disheartened though if you do fall below the required level, they will always work with you to try and resolve issues so just keep going with it!

Cheers.

Cheers Nick, just tried giving them a ring twice today at Penrith HQ but nobody's answering

[nick6689]

I tell you who might be worth speaking to, the SC coordinator, I wont give out their name on here for obvious reasons but if you ring 101 and ask for the Specials Coordinator, they will put you through. They might have an idea of what advice to give you. I believe you are looking at Barrow? Thats my old patch before I moved to the green pastures of the country, very good team of officers down there, and some great mentors. You will learn a lot if you are successful!! Remember to keep an eye on our twitter page http://www.twitter.com/cumbriaspecials or our blog www.cumbriaspecials.blogspot.co.uk

Cheers.

[JW47]

I tell you who might be worth speaking to, the SC coordinator, I wont give out their name on here for obvious reasons but if you ring 101 and ask for the Specials Coordinator, they will put you through. They might have an idea of what advice to give you. I believe you are looking at Barrow? Thats my old patch before I moved to the green pastures of the country, very good team of officers down there, and some great mentors. You will learn a lot if you are successful!! Remember to keep an eye on our twitter page http://www.twitter.com/cumbriaspecials or our blog www.cumbriaspecials.blogspot.co.uk

Cheers.

Will give 'em a ring. Got a direct number for occupational health after being bounced from a few departments. Even got put through to Devon and Cornwall somehow haha, operator had a good giggle when I explained I believed that I'd been misdirected hahah.

All after redirection past the 101 line so it's all good, hopefully i didn't interrupt too many folks :pGave health guy a call at Penrith, he said from the sounds of it, they would probably look very closely at it but I could probably just scrape through hehe.

Edited by JW47, 28 May 2012 - 02:29 PM.