5 replies to this topic

[Sam Vimes]

Just out of interest, should Winsor become implemented in full and privatisation continue it's merciless creep into the Police Service, I wonder if any PCs have given any thought to life outside the job; be it after resigning, redundancy, A19 or retirement? And how to make yourself that little bit more appealing in the private sector.

Being a Police Officer we all know we have high tolerance levels, good discipline and personal responsibility, excellent communication and problem-solving skills, high levels of confidence, and a whole host of other qualities. But the problem is we don't really have anything formal that recognises these skills, and in the private sector it's all about what qualities you can evidence on the CV. No-one outside of the job will be able to understand what it is we do, so explaining it to them will prove difficult.

I wonder if anyone has thought about spending some time while in the Police preparing for a life away from it, in terms of enrichment or qualifications, and whether you'd bother to try and make yourself a more attractive investment; either so that the Police will hold onto you, or to enable you to take a job with G4S when they ultimately take over the world?

I have signed up to start a course in September through the University of Portsmouth, for an FdA in Police Studies. Now I've always been 'anti' these degrees for prospective Police applicants, thinking that they're too specific and pigeon-holed, and limiting your prospects should you fail to become a PC. However as someone who is already a PC, the content of the course looks quite interesting and specific, and it will allow for progression onto BScs in Crime & Criminology, Risk & Security Management, or Counter Fraud and CJS. The course itself has no examinations, relying on coursework alone, and the final project in the second year is work-based, meaning you will need to come up with and complete a project in the 'real world'. A couple of chaps in CID have completed it and speak highly of it, which ultimately made my decision for me, and they're both continuing to BSc level with another 18 months work. The course is also only available to serving PCs, PCSOs or SCs, so you won't be mingling with MOPs.

My hope is that once I have my BSc or MSc in something like Criminology, Counter-Corruption or Policing, Policy & Leadership it will put me in good stead for internal moves and promotion, and hopefully make me a good investment for my Force. And equally it will give me a good qualification to evidence for work away from the Police with a host of organisations.

I just wonder what others thoughts on such a thing are... I'm personally quite looking forward to studying again and developing myself further. Never thought I'd be saying I missed study mind you!

[Heimdall]

I'm just finishing an FdSc in Policing. Graduate in 2 months if my last exam results are OK, but exams and classes are over.
I was a Special for a year as part of it, wouldn't have been a special if the course hadn't encouraged it.
I'm now working full time for my force in a different role and I owe the introduction to my force, to the course.

The course wasn't perfect. I think it could have been a bit more picky about the people it let in, so seeing that Portsmouth is only offering it to those with a foot in the door is a good idea.
I believe UCum does the same and has tiny class sizes. Sounds more personal and the feedback from tutors in smaller classes could easily be more accurate.

I enjoyed exams and presentations, they got me ticking and pending some of the final exam results, I did alright.
Essays were a nightmare for me. I couldn't stand them, far too boring and rigid, and this has discouraged me from topping up to a full degree.

Best of luck SoV.

Edited by Heimdall, 03 June 2012 - 02:52 PM.

[CmdKeen]

Scotland has taken the step of replacing the Sgts exam with a study course that leads to a diploma in police leadership and management, which I believe can then be used towards further qualifications. The nice part of course is that this is paid for by your employer.

NB This doesn't replace the actual promotion process - it just qualifies you for promotion, plenty of cops go for it earlier on in service when they have the time to devote to it, Scotland tends to steer clear of young in service Sgts in the main.

Whilst I know some members on here hate the military example being used I do think this apt. The military used to not get civilian accreditation for their courses for fear of people leaving once they had them. Instead however they've now come to realise (along with many "normal" employers) that a well trained and qualified staff is not only a good thing but doesn't usually lead to a drop in retention. Which is why many military courses now result in a City & Guilds, NQA or other civilian (and therefore understandable to a civvy employer) qualification.

As usual however this is a failing of police "management" - people leaving the police is not a new thing, it has never been the case that everyone that passes out of training stays until the 30/35 year mark. It is within the power of senior officers, per force or via ACPO/NPIA to work with external bodies to emphasise the academic qualification of many police courses, without individual officers having to pay anything.

PS. It is also another example of something the Fed should possibly have been pointing out for years...

[Pete999]

I and many friends who have significantly more service than me have always said the police is one job where you can earn so many qualifications which mean nothing outside of the job.

A sergeant I knew retired with 30+ years of service an struggled to fill a CV. He joined at 18 and had no job before the police. In the end he had to get a civilian friend who works in HR to help write a CV.

Edited by Pete999, 16 July 2012 - 03:24 PM.

[fruitandveg]

A few PCs I know are starting to realise they have real value outside of the police. I heard of a DS who has recently left for one of the big security companies (I don't think it's G4S) to earn double what he got as a DS. One who is on the verge of retirement has got herself several job offers when she leaves - not so much for the money but for something more rewarding as she's found the last few years of the 30 years draining.

PCs have a huge set of soft skills and experience, even if training accreditation is poor. Sell this properly and they'll do very well indeed.

[adslegend]

I've recently heard of a few AFOs quitting the police and accepting huge bounties to to work as mercenaries protecting ships from pirates in the Indian Ocean.