14 replies to this topic

[jack_t90]

Hi Guys,

At the suggestion of 'trip', thought i'd just post a quick message to say hi!

I've just applied to Suffolk Specials. This is my second time applying having previously failed on one of the questions in the competency interview at the A/C.

I'm hoping i'll do much better this time and smash the interview

How's life working for the Specials in Suffolk? I hear it is quiet - Not too quiet i hope!

I have put my first choice as Newmarket (Where i live - not so sure on this anymore. Anybody else work where they live?) and second as Mildenhall. Anybody on here work in these areas?

Also, i dont suppose anybody has pictures of what the uniform is like and stuff? (I know you arent allowed to post up pictures of yourself in uniform so this request could prove difficult)

Cheers!

[Warrior145]

Whoever told you Suffolk is quiet really doesn't have a clue.

Suffolk is very busy for a number of reasons and factors, it genuinely offers specials the chance to be in the thick if it...I would recommend keeping up on your knowledge and law though as this is something crucial to being a special and something rarely touched on once your training is over.

I don't think anyone would be silly enough to post pictures of the uniform but take a look in the local papers or google it and I'm sure there will be lots
Of pictures out there.

Good luck with your application

[jack_t90]

It was something that was mentioned to us at the open evening, unless i've interpreted that wrong (which judging by your comment i expect so). They were saying that it is the safest county in the country or something along those lines. I guess thinking about that now, that statement doesnt cover all bases when thinking about police work and the amount there is to do!

Absolutely agree that not only new recruits, but people who have been in the police for a long time, should keep up on their knowledge of the law, constantly trying to expand on it. Nothing worse than these videos of officers who clearly don't know the law, and as i'm sure many will agree these give police a bad image/name.

I managed to have a look at the uniform at the open evening but would be nice to take a closer look, but at your advice i did a google search and found something, so thanks.

Jack

[JH99]

Suffolk used to have the lowest crime rate, but now a force in Wales does... I think North. So technically we're the "safest from crime" in England.

The uniform isn't standardised. I could tell you what it currently is, but that could change by the time you join.

Suffolk is just like most other country forces. It depends on your definition of quiet. Yeah, in a lot of places, not a lot of sexy stuff happens... but that doesn't mean for one minute that you're not busy or there isn't something to do.

There is a Newmarket area SC on here, I'll let them talk about there... The only time I ventured there was on my driving course

[peck06]

Suffolk used to have the lowest crime rate, but now a force in Wales does... I think North. So technically we're the "safest from crime" in England.

The uniform isn't standardised. I could tell you what it currently is, but that could change by the time you join.

Suffolk is just like most other country forces. It depends on your definition of quiet. Yeah, in a lot of places, not a lot of sexy stuff happens... but that doesn't mean for one minute that you're not busy or there isn't something to do.

There is a Newmarket area SC on here, I'll let them talk about there... The only time I ventured there was on my driving course

The uniform has just changed. We are in the process of going back to black, no more Hi-Vis tac-vests.

[specialconstable1]

Black vest and belts or black vests and black tac
Vests?
Seems strange that they have only recently changed the uniform in terms of stab vests to then change them again. How do you know this ?

[peck06]

They had too many complaints about the new bright yellow vests, they also do not conform to hi-vis standards as they don't have reflective strips. So they are getting the new stab vests in black (Norfolk ones) and belts. One of my officers who passed his final interview has had his uniform fitting and this is what he was told by stores.

By the look of it, if the Chief gets his way we will be back in white shirts or white wicker shirts too, so will be back to black and white.

[jack_t90]

Personally i prefer white shirts, think it looks more professional, but i'm sure many will disagree.

[specialconstable1]

Fair enough.. That's a bit of a shock. I hope they dont go back to white shirts. Black polos are much more practical

[Sam Vimes]

Suffolk used to have the lowest crime rate, but now a force in Wales does... I think North. So technically we're the "safest from crime" in England.

Afraid your colleagues north of the border are the safest county in England; 50 crimes per 1,000 people against a national average of 66 crimes, with the 6th highest detection rate in the Country. Sorry!

[peck06]

I would just say recorded crimes can't be relied upon for stats on which county is safest. Apparently our collaboration with Norfolk has presented some very different practices when it comes to what, when and how crimes are recorded, or not recorded.

I think officially Suffolk is the third safest county in the country.

[JH99]

Afraid your colleagues north of the border are the safest county in England; 50 crimes per 1,000 people against a national average of 66 crimes, with the 6th highest detection rate in the Country. Sorry!

To be fair... I was recalling what I was told at my recruitment evening back in 2004 or 2005

Now go back to your own area!

[jack_t90]

Passed the application stage! One step closer!! Recruitment tell me that they think i am on the October A/C - longer wait than i was hoping for but oh well!

[sm1ffy]

They had too many complaints about the new bright yellow vests, they also do not conform to hi-vis standards as they don't have reflective strips. So they are getting the new stab vests in black (Norfolk ones) and belts. One of my officers who passed his final interview has had his uniform fitting and this is what he was told by stores.

By the look of it, if the Chief gets his way we will be back in white shirts or white wicker shirts too, so will be back to black and white.

They are Black . Our newest probationers who joined last month are already using them on duty and receiving comments from "old hands" asking why specials are getting the black vests etc.

A couple of years ago they tryed to standardise on appearance but now we seem to have so many variants out there with specials and regs using combo's of older black stabbys with either black or yellow tac vest, the recent (last year) all in one yellow stabby and vest, the newest black versions and then various officers wearing combos of stabby or vest and kit belts.

[Warrior145]

What a ridiculous waste of money