9 replies to this topic

[honestyvo]

DA,
I was wondering what the likelihood is for a SC to tranfer to another force? Has this happened before? Any success stories? Or is anyone aware of what the process is?

While I am happy with the force I have applied to (TVP) I have recently found out Leicestershire are recruiting SC's and with Leicester being closer to me (Birmingham). I believe it would be more convenient for myself and beneficial to the force due to the proximity.

I have recently called Leicestershire up and asked if I could transfer my pass mark (if I were to pass) over to them but they said no - different assessment day styles or something? Has anyone else experienced this? I thought it was a UK standard?


Thanks a lot everyone - as always

Edited by honestyvo, 23 May 2012 - 03:21 PM.

[policey_man]

The national assessment for regular Police Officers is the same - things work differently with Specials recruitment. If I remember correctly, there was a move towards a national standard, but I don't think we are there yet. Forces do let Specials transfer between them once they are attested - there might also be an experience requirement too, and there are many people on here who have transfered between forces.

I'm not sure that there is a restriction on the number of Forces you apply to as a Special (this might just be a regs thing too). You might be able to simply apply to Leicestershire and keep the TVP application moving forward. This is a question you need to ask Leicestershire.

[Killicksparker]

We have transferrees all the time, but they usually are only allowed to transfer once they are IPS

[honestyvo]

We have transferrees all the time, but they usually are only allowed to transfer once they are IPS

If thats the case, do they have to gain IPS at the new force again? if not, do they have to do top up modules if there are differences?

[Mr So Special]

You might want to speak to both forces. We had a student who lived in another area when on leave and he was allowed to do X hours with us and X hours witht he other force as long as between them he covered his minimum. I think forces treat it differently, so just ring up and ask them.

[Jeebs]

It's entirely dependant on the force you want to transfer to. I attempted to get a transfer last year because of work commitments, and got a resounding NO and told my previous experiance would count for nothing and I would have to apply from scratch.

Best people to ask are the HR personnel of the force you want a transfer to. Dont hold your breath though.

[jules2000]

Hi

I transferred from Derbyshire to SYP after my assessment centre, I already work for SYP as a civialian and also live in South Yorkshire and thought it was more convenient and less clashing of different system etc.. All i did was spoke to HR of both forces and SYP were happy to accept me providing i got the pass mark for their force too, so yes it is possible however, SYP have stopped recruiting now for specials, so i think you should speak to both forces to see what they say.. I start my training in 2 weeks time .. its only taken me 3 years to get here though so am going to enjoy every last minute of it.. Good luck

[karondo]

Basically, although regulars recruitment is the national NPIA Police SEARCH process and then get marked up/off by the NPIA, the special's one is done by the force in question. Although it loosely based on the same Search process, these are done and marked within the force and each one does things a little differently, although they are broadly the same.

Short answer is, with regs one you definitely can no (major) questions asked, the specials one I wouldn't hold your breath as it's not a national thing for specials, and would be up to the force to decide if you meet their criteria as this varies also.

[SC Meerkat]

I'll throw in my two pence.

I transferred forces as an IPS special Sgt. Requesting the transfer was easy enough, but I did still have to fill out a miniature application form which had some of the competency questions on. I also had to attend a medical and re-do my vetting.

Once I started with the new force I had to re-do certain elements of my training. They did want me to re-do it all, but after some protestation from myself (I felt that as I have a law degree and had been a special for 3 years, it wouldn't be a good use of my time to be baby-stepped through s1 PACE) the training department agreed that I didn't need to re-do all my training. Obviously things like DASH, diversity and PST were still essential which I have no issue with.

After training I was re-attested with the new force, and then went out onto division. This may well be a force specific thing, but I was asked to re-do my SCLDP (basically the initial IPS sign off) and that I would have to re-do both of my basic driving course (car and van). In addition I was made back down to an SC, however that didn't bother me so much as it gave me a chance to re-learn the different IT systems and the new ways of working (you'd be amazed at how different some things can be!) without any additional pressure!

All in all, this process took about 9 months, so if you are thinking of transferring, my words of advice would be to make sure you do it in good time, and be prepared for it to take a while. I did find that after a while I had become somewhat de-skilled so it's important to take that into account as well.

[BigCopSmallTown]

I transferred forces as an IP status officer. I had to do an interview and fitness test followed by the usual medical malarky. Once confirmed I had passed all that the vetting box was ticked and I had a "knowledge check" with a training sgt. Supported by a testimonial from my Sgt / Insp (reg) from my old force was given IP status and credited past service for purposes of applying for promotion (which I was successful at 4 months later). I had to redo my driving authority and some other trianing (airwave recharge, force systems, etc) but it was an easy process. The longest part was waiting for old force HR to mail over my file and professional standards to clear a pending complaint (not upheld).

I recently tried to arrange a dual force working agreement and all was going well and relatively easily until my CO decided he didnt want to authorise it at the last hurdle.