194 replies to this topic

[Spodeman31]

Hello new to this forum....... bit miffed...... sent my application back on the 12th August 09, yet to hear anything......applied as a reg in 04 but failed the medical on eyesight...had laser surgery since!......applied to the specials in August.... big well done to my pal Swindon on this forum for being successful.. now fretting about my app......:/

As i said in previous posts....i rang recruitment today, it is officially past 2 months since i put the application in. I spoke to a chap today whose tone was very clipped on the phone, telling me they've got my application and are still making a decision on whether to progress me or not?! so i'm still very much in the dark and i can't see myself getting on intake 6 or any intake until march '10

[Hyde]

I'll update the forum post on training schedule here with this updated information (I presume you'd missed it before!).

I had a couple of friends that had some reservations, but I managed to use it as an opportunity to increase their understanding of what's involved and what the Police do, with positive results!

Hey, rosco i noticed the first day on the draft is scheduled to be 21st November. I am not 18 until the 25th, should this be a problem, or not?

The reason i ask is because i have heard 2 different things. One being you cannot start training until you are 18.

The other thing i have heard is you have to be 18 for the attestation.

Can you please clear that up for me?

As i said in previous posts....i rang recruitment today, it is officially past 2 months since i put the application in. I spoke to a chap today whose tone was very clipped on the phone, telling me they've got my application and are still making a decision on whether to progress me or not?! so i'm still very much in the dark and i can't see myself getting on intake 6 or any intake until march '10

At the paper sift stage. Hate to dampen things but i heard a statistic somewhere that about 40% of people fail to make it past this stage. I hope you are in the fortunate 60%!

[rosco]

Hey, rosco i noticed the first day on the draft is scheduled to be 21st November. I am not 18 until the 25th, should this be a problem, or not?

The reason i ask is because i have heard 2 different things. One being you cannot start training until you are 18.

The other thing i have heard is you have to be 18 for the attestation.

Can you please clear that up for me?

Well, if you've already been given a start date, I'd assume that they've already checked this detail! I would have thought that it was your age at attestation time (when you become a special constable in law) that would have mattered, by which time you should be 18. But shouldn't be a problem for you to ring up and speak to Recruitment people if you want to be absolutely sure.

At the paper sift stage. Hate to dampen things but i heard a statistic somewhere that about 40% of people fail to make it past this stage. I hope you are in the fortunate 60%!

I forget the amount I was told that are rejected on average, but there's no goal at any stage of a percentage of people that have to be 'culled': it's all up to the individual.

[Hyde]

Well, if you've already been given a start date, I'd assume that they've already checked this detail! I would have thought that it was your age at attestation time (when you become a special constable in law) that would have mattered, by which time you should be 18. But shouldn't be a problem for you to ring up and speak to Recruitment people if you want to be absolutely sure.


I forget the amount I was told that are rejected on average, but there's no goal at any stage of a percentage of people that have to be 'culled': it's all up to the individual.

Yeah, there is no quota. Just at my PIRT we were told Congratulations, you passed the paper sift which is where 40% of applicants tend to fail, but yeah i am pretty sure it is down to the strength of the application, since thats first contact.

EDIT: As far as i know i haven't actually been given a start date, just my drugs/alcohol testing in november.

Edited by ConstableMuse, 13 October 2009 - 07:41 PM.

[rosco]

EDIT: As far as i know i haven't actually been given a start date, just my drugs/alcohol testing in november.

Then I think that means you'll be on the next intake, not the one in November.

[Hyde]

Then I think that means you'll be on the next intake, not the one in November.

Oh right, probably the January intake then. A long wait!

[Spodeman31]

At the paper sift stage. Hate to dampen things but i heard a statistic somewhere that about 40% of people fail to make it past this stage. I hope you are in the fortunate 60%!

Yes, i've heard that stat too, but having heard nothing from recruitment, i'm completly in the dark, and i believe if i'd already been rejected i would have received something in writing.... but getting the 'we're yet to make a desicion on whether to progress your application' when they're on a massive recruitment drive gets the old alarm bells ringing!

Edited by Spodeman31, 14 October 2009 - 09:13 PM.

[jord89]

Yes, i've heard that stat too, but having heard nothing from recruitment, i'm completly in the dark, and i believe if i'd already been rejected i would have received something in writing.... but getting the 'we're yet to make a desicion on whether to progress your application' when they're on a massive recruitment drive gets the old alarm bells ringing!

Yeah it would me aswell, I got an invitation to the PIRT the day after they received my application! I was really surprised at that!

But I'm really not sure what is going on with yours, I would have thought they would have said if you hadn't got in already, there might be something hidden there...would expect it to take that long with the regulars application but not the Specials.

[Vulcan]

Yeah it would me aswell, I got an invitation to the PIRT the day after they received my application! I was really surprised at that!

But I'm really not sure what is going on with yours, I would have thought they would have said if you hadn't got in already, there might be something hidden there...would expect it to take that long with the regulars application but not the Specials.

Jord89/Spodeman31,

I've been watching this thread for a little while and need to give a little general advice to anyone applying as I think both Jord89 and Spodeman31 might be looking for conspiracies where there are none. A couple of points I would ask you to consider:

1. We are in a large recruitment process at present. This is a seven stage process and we put groups of applications together to ensure we get enough successful candidates at the far end to form a new intake. The length of time you have to wait depends on whether you applied just before we start the process again from the start of whether you applied mid way through. At present, we are focusing on police initial recruitment tests, interviews and drugs/alcohol testing.

If you have been advised that we are still assessing your application that is precisely what is meant. No hidden agenda, no trick questions it's just that your application has yet to be fully screened. Some applications complete screening very quickly others can take some weeks. This depends entirely on your personal circumstances, amount of checking required and ease of completing the checks.

Although your application is clearly very important to you (very understandably) it will be one of several dozen at any point so I can only suggest some patience while the process completes the screening stage - otherwise you will end up winding yourself up into an unecessary panic which will not speed the process up at all.

2. Perhaps more importantly from my perspective I would ask you to think about the comment "would expect it to take that long with the regulars application but not the Specials." A couple of questions to consider:

a) What does this say about your perception of the role, its relationship to our regular colleagues and your approach to the application?

b) Given that a special constable has the same powers as a regular offficer, is subject to the same discipline code (and in our force ) the same opportunities, training, rank structure etc why would you expect an easier recruitment process?

It sounds as though you are both at the start of the process which is necessarily rigorous. You will receive updates from HR and learn of the outcome of your applications but at present I would recommend letting the process take its course for a couple of weeks

I wish you both good luck with your applications

[Spodeman31]

Jord89/Spodeman31,

I've been watching this thread for a little while and need to give a little general advice to anyone applying as I think both Jord89 and Spodeman31 might be looking for conspiracies where there are none. A couple of points I would ask you to consider:

1. We are in a large recruitment process at present. This is a seven stage process and we put groups of applications together to ensure we get enough successful candidates at the far end to form a new intake. The length of time you have to wait depends on whether you applied just before we start the process again from the start of whether you applied mid way through. At present, we are focusing on police initial recruitment tests, interviews and drugs/alcohol testing.

If you have been advised that we are still assessing your application that is precisely what is meant. No hidden agenda, no trick questions it's just that your application has yet to be fully screened. Some applications complete screening very quickly others can take some weeks. This depends entirely on your personal circumstances, amount of checking required and ease of completing the checks.

Although your application is clearly very important to you (very understandably) it will be one of several dozen at any point so I can only suggest some patience while the process completes the screening stage - otherwise you will end up winding yourself up into an unecessary panic which will not speed the process up at all.

2. Perhaps more importantly from my perspective I would ask you to think about the comment "would expect it to take that long with the regulars application but not the Specials." A couple of questions to consider:

a) What does this say about your perception of the role, its relationship to our regular colleagues and your approach to the application?

b) Given that a special constable has the same powers as a regular offficer, is subject to the same discipline code (and in our force ) the same opportunities, training, rank structure etc why would you expect an easier recruitment process?

It sounds as though you are both at the start of the process which is necessarily rigorous. You will receive updates from HR and learn of the outcome of your applications but at present I would recommend letting the process take its course for a couple of weeks

I wish you both good luck with your applications

Thank you sir for your response. I apologise if it appears that i may be looking for conspiracies where there aren't any, but that simply isn't the case. I'm simply a little bemused by the initial process, and if i'm honest your post has now answered a lot of my initial questions for me.
I'm very eager to start a very fulfilling career with Wiltshire Police as a Special Constable and am eager to prove myself and get started.

Thank you again for your post.
Phil

[jord89]

Thank you sir for your response. I apologise if it appears that i may be looking for conspiracies where there aren't any, but that simply isn't the case. I'm simply a little bemused by the initial process, and if i'm honest your post has now answered a lot of my initial questions for me.
I'm very eager to start a very fulfilling career with Wiltshire Police as a Special Constable and am eager to prove myself and get started.

Thank you again for your post.
Phil

Thanks Vulcan, I apologise aswell if that was the impression I gave, I didn't mean to make it sound like that. And yes now you write that down, I realise I wrote something rather foolish there, I do remember now that Wiltshire are on a big drive for Specials and it will be different lengths of time for the individual.

I apologise again, I was just assuming as with what had happened with me, but now you have explained I will say no more as to not furthur embarrass myself.

Thanks

[Vulcan]

Thanks Vulcan, I apologise aswell if that was the impression I gave, I didn't mean to make it sound like that. And yes now you write that down, I realise I wrote something rather foolish there, I do remember now that Wiltshire are on a big drive for Specials and it will be different lengths of time for the individual.

I apologise again, I was just assuming as with what had happened with me, but now you have explained I will say no more as to not furthur embarrass myself.

Thanks

No need to worry and nothing to apologise about either ...

Sometimes a bit more explanation can help. It can take some time to get through the process (one thing you will learn about the police is it moves at its own pace). I'm sure you'll hear a result shortly. Best of luck for all those in the application process.

[Hyde]

No need to worry and nothing to apologise about either ...

Sometimes a bit more explanation can help. It can take some time to get through the process (one thing you will learn about the police is it moves at its own pace). I'm sure you'll hear a result shortly. Best of luck for all those in the application process.

Vulcan, were you involved in the interviews - Actively interviewing candidates? I had 2 interviewers for mine, including a nice guy who had been in the specials for a year or so, and works for a Telecommunications company, as far as i remember.

[Vulcan]

Vulcan, were you involved in the interviews - Actively interviewing candidates? I had 2 interviewers for mine, including a nice guy who had been in the specials for a year or so, and works for a Telecommunications company, as far as i remember.

I am involved in the recruitment process for special constables looking after the PIRT phase and also one of the interviewing officers. It sounds as though I was one of your interviewing panel as the officer you're describing is one of my acting sergeants at Swindon and we were interviewing together in October.

So there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved right across the process as well as all the operational policing aspects you would expect. (subject to the relevant courses being completed).

It may be worth keeping an eye on this forum as the next 4-5 weeks will have many PIRT and interview dates so I'm sure there will be plenty of candidates looking for some hints and guidance over the coming weeks.

[jord89]

Just received a letter comfirming all my intake details and giving me my shoulder number! I'm on the November 17th intake anyone else on this?

Got to organise uniform fitting soon, glad I have not got to wait until January.

Edited by jord89, 18 October 2009 - 07:59 AM.

[rosco]

Just received a letter comfirming all my intake details and giving me my shoulder number! I'm on the November 17th intake anyone else on this?

Got to organise uniform fitting soon, glad I have not got to wait until January.

Congratulations, although the Novermber intake (I was on that one too) is the one that gets all the winter weather going to CCO for training!

[Hyde]

Just received a letter comfirming all my intake details and giving me my shoulder number! I'm on the November 17th intake anyone else on this?

Got to organise uniform fitting soon, glad I have not got to wait until January.

Jord, when did you have your Drugs testing / When are you due to have it? I was really hoping to get on the november intake but we can't all get what we want

EDIT: Received a letter on a SUNDAY? I thought the royal fail only delivered Mon-sat.

Edited by ConstableMuse, 18 October 2009 - 04:31 PM.

[jord89]

Jord, when did you have your Drugs testing / When are you due to have it? I was really hoping to get on the november intake but we can't all get what we want

EDIT: Received a letter on a SUNDAY? I thought the royal fail only delivered Mon-sat.

I'm due to have the Drugs testing on 7th November. Sorry I received the letter on saturday.

[Hyde]

I'm due to have the Drugs testing on 7th November. Sorry I received the letter on saturday.

Hm, seems i would have got on the intake.. but i am finding out the results of my MRI scan on tuesday which will determine if i can do the role or not. However, i personally know i will be able to.

Reckon theres any chance i could possibly get a letter tomorrow?

[jord89]

Hm, seems i would have got on the intake.. but i am finding out the results of my MRI scan on tuesday which will determine if i can do the role or not. However, i personally know i will be able to.

Reckon theres any chance i could possibly get a letter tomorrow?

You might do, although i'm not sure, problem is Royal Mail right now is a bit unreliable, my sister sent me a card a week ago but I still have not received it...

[Hyde]

You might do, although i'm not sure, problem is Royal Mail right now is a bit unreliable, my sister sent me a card a week ago but I still have not received it...

Nah, she's just saying that.. she probably ended up in mcdonalds and forgot to buy you a card!

Fingers crossed ill get a letter in the next few days. however i am losing hope of getting on the earlier intake. However, if i was put on the January intake.. i'd be able to celebrate my 18th birthday (next month) in swindon town centre!

[jord89]

Nah, she's just saying that.. she probably ended up in mcdonalds and forgot to buy you a card!

Fingers crossed ill get a letter in the next few days. however i am losing hope of getting on the earlier intake. However, if i was put on the January intake.. i'd be able to celebrate my 18th birthday (next month) in swindon town centre!

Yes you might do, just keep watching. Well as much as you can celebrate in swindon town centre ha!

[Hyde]

To Rosco/Vulcan.

Do wiltshire issue flatcaps or custodians to males (Specials)? Or, both?

Cheers, Shaun

[SuperGooner]

To Rosco/Vulcan.

Do wiltshire issue flatcaps or custodians to males (Specials)? Or, both?

Cheers, Shaun

Shaun

You get issued with both

[Hyde]

Shaun

You get issued with both

Cheers Are there recommendations on what situations to wear each in?

Also an update on my Medical hold. I have been informed by recruitment that i am still due for the november intake. I get my MRI scan results tomorrow, and an assessment will be made if i am able to have medical clearance. Will have to get on to Occupational health right after my appointment tomorrow. fingers crossed!

Edit: Went to GW Hospital for an appointment earlier to be told that my ligaments, bone muscle and cartialige(sp?) In/around my knee are all intact and are fine, just need to concentrate on strengthening my ligaments at the gym.

The Physiotherapist said there shouldn't be a reason why my doctor would say i was unable to perform the role of SC, but that's down to him. its looking very promising though! I may be seeing you in training jord!

Edited by ConstableMuse, 20 October 2009 - 04:26 PM.