14 replies to this topic

[Charlotte08]

Hi all,

Me again!! Sorry - it's just the more i think about the reasons why i was refused recruitment from BTP, the more unfair i find them and from talking to others (who i know will be trying to comfort me and make me feel better too) it seems that i have good grounds for feeling like this..

Does anyone know if you are able to appeal the decision not to be accepted into the BTP and how you go about doing this please?

Any help / advice would be great please.

Thanks very much,
An upset Charlotte

[Future_officer]

The only people that can help you with your enquiry is phoning BTP recruitment number. The Recruitment department will advise you what you should do.

[Btp specialist]

Why were you refused? I currently have an appeal with the met and it looks like it's going good. You never know you're appeal might be successful.

[Charlotte08]

Hiya,

Thanks for your responses - i've contacted BTP and i think i'll go through with an appeal.

Basically, in 2010 i suffered 3 bereavements in 4 months of close family members and as a result suffered from stress and required around 2 weeks per bereavement off of work.. I also was just a bit down and as i have said, suffered from stress. They said they felt i 'may not be psychologically ready to enter into such a challenging and demanding role', although my current job is stressful, pressurised and definitely demanding.

They requested a GP report from my localGP, and she recommended me for the job, said it would be a great move for me going forward and would be detrimental to me if i was refused. She gave a glowing report and said how good i appear to be now, and how i'm a lot further on than i was 2 years ago and it just feels like BTP didn't even read the report. Why request a 2nd opinion if you're not going to take any notice of it?

I also requested to see a copy of the request for a report and a copy of the report before they were submitted; i was given neither. I don't feel like i've been given a fair chance and how will they know my abilities and capability if they won't even give me a chance? Surely the only way you can truly tell if someone can handle it is if you at least give them the chance and see them in action?

I know i'm ready to do this and it's something i really, really want. I just want to at least be given the chance to prove myself. Without being arrogant, i think i'd make a good PCSO because of my previous Community Work and also because of my desire to work in this role. I think i have the right character and skills for the job, and i'd be going for it for the right reasons. I passed all elements of my Day 1, passed my reference and vetting stages and the medical was the only stage which presented me as a question mark rather than a yes.. Hopefully the appeal will go well.. Wish me luck please!!

Charlotte - again, thanks for the advice - hope you get the result you're wanting from your appeal..

[Londonbased]

The short answer to your question is Yes.
You can appeal.

Whether they take a blind bit of notice is another matter but you have nothing to lose so good luck.

[Charlotte08]

The short answer to your question is Yes.
You can appeal.

Whether they take a blind bit of notice is another matter but you have nothing to lose so good luck.

Thank you, i am going to try to appeal as i do believe i have a case..

[Londonbased]

Good Luck.
Be positive.

To be honest, I don't think the GP did you any favours by suggesting it would be detrimental to your recovery if you were refused the job.

That could be perceived in a negative way by the police recruiters

[Fry]

Thank you, i am going to try to appeal as i do believe i have a case..

Good luck, though as Londonbased said I don't think the suggestion that it would be detrimental if you didn't get the job helped at all, and would probably go against you. If I were an employer, I'd be asking myself if it was detrimental to not give you a job, would it be detrimental not to promote you/give you a role you'd applied for/a move you asked for etc., and that would put me off employing you. Also, depending on the recruitment timescales, I imagine if you were rejected any place would have been allocated has gone to another person so the intakes would be full.

That said, if it's a job you want it's always worth a shot.

[Prae]

You don't actually have any rights to appeal because you aren't employed by the force, you are merely an applicant and the Chief Constable has the final say regarding all matters of recruitment. You can write a letter to the Chief Constable stating what has happened and outlining the reasons why you think you'd make a good PCSO. He may then overturn the decision or uphold it. A regular colleague of mine failed his assessment centre by 1% but wrote a letter to the CC detailing why he would be good at the job and was allowed to progress to the next stage, five years on he's acting sergeant which just shows that it's always worth a go.

As others have said, your doctor seems to have scuppered you by saying that failure could have a detrimental effect on your recovery which gives the impression that you're still unstable.

I say keep at it!

[Charlotte08]

Hi guys, thanks very much for your responses. I know, i'm hoping that maybe she didn't use those actual words in the report and only stated them on the phone to me - i'm trying to obtain a copy of the report at the moment.. It wasn't the best choice of phrase as i am completely stable and that makes me sound like a bit of a loon!!

I'm definitely going to give it a try as it's something which i want so much.. I genuinely do think i would make a good PCSO so i just need to get that across in the right way.

Wish me luck!! Again, thanks so much everyone for all your help and advice

[Prolixia]

I must admit, it seems a bit odd that they would go to the trouble of asking for your GP's report then only to seemingly ignore it. Perhaps it's a weird decision on BTP's part, perhaps the report wasn't as glowing as you've been told, or perhaps it was a great report but there was some factual point that excluded you (e.g. you're doing great but still within some time limit set by BTP).

Regardless, best of luck with your application.

Edited by Prolixia, 21 June 2012 - 08:46 AM.

[Charlotte08]

I must admit, it seems a bit odd that they would go to the trouble of asking for your GP's report then only to seemingly ignore it. Perhaps it's a weird decision on BTP's part, perhaps the report wasn't as glowing as you've been told, or perhaps it was a great report but there was some factual point that excluded you (e.g. you're doing great but still within some time limit set by BTP).

Regardless, best of luck with your application.

Thanks for your message - i retrieved a copy of my GP's report yesterday and was so saddened to see that it was different to what she had discussed with me on the phone.. While it was truthful, a lot of it focussed on issues from some years ago and gave too much detail about things of a very personal nature which would have no relevance to BTP or the job. Sadly, i think that based on that report i do not have good grounds for an appeal with regards to the Medical.. Although i may still write to the Commissioner to state my disappointment at being refused and also to state the reasons why i think i would make a great PCSO. I can only try, and it's something i want so badly

If that fails, i'll have to wait and see if i hear back from the Met and see if i can get in with them..

Please still keep fingers crossed for me!!

[Police Constable 1]

Charlotte, I am sorry to hear that but remember that they have your best interests at heart, it would be tough for them to say you are suitable if deep down they feel that something may happen to you.

I dont know the ins and outs of it, but dont give up, have a chat with your Dr and see what they recommend, explain to them it is your dream job and see what they can do to help, also the Police isnt just about what is out on the streets, have a look and see if there are any other jobs going such as control room jobs or other things that can give you an insight into the police and see if it really is something you want to do.

Do not give up and we're all here if you need to ask any questions or need any tips, keep smiling

[fodfather]

Well said PC1, wise words indeed.

Charlotte - Have you thought about joining The Specials?

I know its a different job tobeing a PCSO but (without going into the ins and outs etc) easing yourself into the BTP environment for 16 hours per month rather than full time to start with may be to your advantage. See what your Gp says - good thing about joining specials is you get the best of both worlds particulary in a "try before you buy" and if you don't like it or you don't get on well (which I'm sure won't happen) then atleast you have your day job to fall back on. You'll also be able to see PCSO's in action and see first hand if its for you. It'll also allow you to get some "life experience" under yourbelt which someone as young as you (without meaning to sound patronising) may not have - maybe what BTP are looking for is a positive reaction to some of the negative things you have gone through to show you can cope with adversity rather than a sweeping statement from your GP saying "she mayn't cope" if you know what I mean?

Keep on keeping on and good luck, you've got your life infront of you so look forward not back!

[Charlotte08]

Hi guys,

Thanks very much for your comments and words of encouragement - it's great to hear the views of those who have 'been there, done that' or are still doing it to know what you all think of it. I am considering joining the 'Specials', but i'm not too keen on the idea. I'd rather enter into it full time - but i get what you're saying about it being a kind of trial period to show me whether or not i will like it and can handle it.. I've also applied for the Met, so i'll wait to hear back from them before deciding anything for sure.

My story is a very long one and difficult to explain, but i'm just finding it hard that things from so long ago are stopping me from progressing. I wish i could just be judged on how i am now and at least be given the chance; although i do appreciate why they are not putting me forward.. Also, they have to be sure they are selecting competent staff because of the nature of the job - i know that, but i just know that i would be good at it and all i want is the chance..

Thanks again guys, i won't be giving up easy - and all of you are helping me to keep motivated and stick at it, so thank you so much.
Charlotte