19 replies to this topic

[FloydYK]

Hi,

I attended the Assesment centre for West Mercia specials on the 28th of feb 2012. Passed (woo) and got all my medical forms and security forms sent off by the 1st of march.

I'm currently in the vetting process and i'm wondering;

a) how much longer will it take?

b) what happens next?

c) is there anybody else on the forum in the same position as me? (e.g in the same assessment group)

Cheers

[dave64]

Hello and welcome to the forums!

a. Vetting unfortunately takes as long as it takes. Mine took over 8 months (including a 2 month delay) in all but the process seemed to be coming to a head within the last month when references were taken and had numerous phone calls from vetting/recruitment. No news is good news so hang tight!

b. After successfully going through the vetting process you will be offered a place on the next available training course at Hindlip or Wellington. There are a few more forms to fill in too. Prior to commencing training you'll get sized up for uniform. Training takes place over 14 weeks then you're done.

c. Not me, I'm currently at the training stage.

[FloydYK]

Cheers dave.
Also just out of interest where are you going to be policing? Would I be right in thinking vetting takes less time for those hoping to police areas in need of extra hands?

[dave64]

Cheers dave.
Also just out of interest where are you going to be policing? Would I be right in thinking vetting takes less time for those hoping to police areas in need of extra hands?

I'm going to be stationed at Hereford.

I'm not really in a position to comment on that but as a guess I would say that vetting will be shorter if:

* You don't have any red flags (previous convictions etc);
* Have only lived at one address for many years;
* Don't have a partner/many siblings.

Perhaps most significantly, the length of time will depend on how many applications the vetting unit is currently dealing with.

[danno86]

Hi i was at hindlip on the 28th Feb 2012 in the afternoon. I emailed HR last week and they told me that vetting had been stopped for a few weeks due to high application volumes but what i dont understand is why they dont inform us. I was talking to a friend at work today and her partner who passed for the regs 4 years ago but was told they decided they were not going to take on regs anymore and told to join specials she phoned up yesterday and was told there is a training date coming up in October 2012 but no date specified

[FloydYK]

Hi danno,

Just confirm that again because I'm scared I understood rightly.

They've stopped vetting or recruitment?
What did they say?

[dp9]

They cant have stopped vetting completley as a few people on here have been contacted by vetting recently and I had request for my references last week. It maybe more of a case of theres a backlog and they will get to it when they get to it!

[dave64]

I shouldn't worry too much. Vetting was "delayed" for me for at least two months last year. I did receive a letter two months after Assessment Centre saying that checks had been delayed and four months after Assessment Centre received another letter saying that checks were resuming. I believe that there have been a significant number of applications and not enough resources so vetting is taking a few months longer than normal. From Assessment Centre to being offered a place took me over 8 months. If in any doubt just give recruitment a ring. Unfortunately, this is a long waiting game.

[FloydYK]

Hi

Just rang up HR, my application is just about waiting to go to vetting but they told it may be a case of because of the extra workload during the olympics it gets suspended.

Understandable.

However on the flip-side they said they were looking to fill an upcoming course in July (unlikely for me) and one in october.

Apparently theres another round of assessment centres about to kick off next week, would hate to think how long thier vetting is going to be.
Just going to have too push it to the backs of our minds; easier said that done after going to HQ and filling out SJT's.

[danno86]

yea thats what i said vetting had stopped for a few weeks because of extra workload

sorry if it seemed different didnt mean to worry anyone

[FloydYK]

no worries,

let us know whenever you hear something.

[danno86]

yea will do hopefully soon ive waited 8 years for this

[FloydYK]

8 years?
Mind me asking why?

[danno86]

tried when i was 18 and wasnt successful with regs application lack of experience maybe. I became a doorman so wasnt able to apply and didnt think it was worth going for it until i was a bit older and gained a bit of experience so now im free of the night clubs and 7 years older i fancied tryin for the specials and to pursue a career in something ive always wanted to do.

Edited by danno86, 26 May 2012 - 02:49 PM.

[FloydYK]

Just recieved a letter asking for references today, is this an indicator of the process coming to an end? also i imagine ill have to put down my uni as a reference however i left early and they didnt realise i left, because of this my attendance will look shocking, is that going to be a problem?

[danno86]

How is it they have asked for references did you not put your referees on application form

[FloydYK]

Apparently not, I don't actually have 5 references through employment and education so maybe i didnt put 5 down and they are just checking.

[danno86]

Hopefully its a good sign then that they are starting to get references ive heard from a friend whose on the July course that a training course is scheduled for october so maybe that will be our time. FINGERS CROSSED

Edited by danno86, 07 June 2012 - 02:18 PM.

[FloydYK]

Yeah, is that one based at HQ?

[danno86]

yeah i'm sure it is

i know of one of my references that have been contacted but havent been into work to find out if they have yet which is all good news i wonder if that means ive passed vetting