41 replies to this topic

[ABZ FLYER]

New to the forum, and my first post, so please bear with me!!

Have just submitted my application form to become a special, can anyone give me an idea to what happens next in the process and the timescale.

I presume once they receive the application form that they start security checks and character witnesses/referees

[Karen2105]

New to the forum, and my first post, so please bear with me!!

Have just submitted my application form to become a special, can anyone give me an idea to what happens next in the process and the timescale.

I presume once they receive the application form that they start security checks and character witnesses/referees

Welcome aboard!

I'm currently going through specials training just now so it wasn't too long ago that I went through the application process so any questions just give me a shout, I'll be happy to try and help!

Once you've handed in your application it does go through a papersift and vetting checks are completed on you. Other stages to application process is sitting the English paper of the standard entrance exam, medical/eye exam, fitness test and final interview. I think thats everything possibly not in the right order tho!

On the timescales front I handed in my application in April last year, and I just started my training a few weeks ago so expect to wait a while. I think the timescales have a lot to do with how many other specials applications are in as they tend to pool applications and wait till theres a decent bunch of them before the run say a selection evening etc.

Hope this helps

[ABZ FLYER]

Thanks for your informative response Karen2105.

Received a letter today, informing me that they have received the application form and will be processing the application in the near future and will hear in due course. It mentioned about them starting the "papersift" or security checks.

Hopefully i will hear soon about the other application processes such as the writtent test etc...

What is the training like ?

[kev1982]

Thanks for your informative response Karen2105.

Received a letter today, informing me that they have received the application form and will be processing the application in the near future and will hear in due course. It mentioned about them starting the "papersift" or security checks.

Hopefully i will hear soon about the other application processes such as the writtent test etc...

What is the training like ?

Welcome aboard ABZ!

I'm going through my training with Karen at the moment as well! I too applyed last april so expect to wait a bit!!

I dont know about Karen,(she looks as though shes enjoying it!) but i'm loving the training! Your made to feel really welcome and your acually learning useful things!! plus its a good laugh along the way. If you get a class like ours, i think there are 16 of us, your laughing!! Really sound people to go through with!

This weekend we we're doing Officer Safety Training, all the open hand techniques and ground pins, and handcuffing. I really did enjoy it, so if you pass all your application bits and bobs i.e papersift, exam, medical ect. You'll love it!!
I just cant wait to get out on the beat now!!!

All the best with your application and keep us updated on your progress!!!

Any questions along the way you need help with dont hesitate to ask us!!

Kev

Edited by kev1982, 16 March 2009 - 11:47 AM.

[Karen2105]

Yep Kev you would be quite right in saying I too am enjoying it and totally the same as you in that I just want to get out and about and put it into practice! I would also second the fact the guys we're going through training with our def a good bunch of people and have a good laugh as well as learning all we need to know! Actually wee bit gutted we don't have training this weekend, ah well roll on Weds!

As Kev mentioned if you have any questions, Kev and I will be more than happy to help based on our experience we had during the interview process so keep us posted.

Karen

[whitekanu]

Yep Kev you would be quite right in saying I too am enjoying it and totally the same as you in that I just want to get out and about and put it into practice! I would also second the fact the guys we're going through training with our def a good bunch of people and have a good laugh as well as learning all we need to know! Actually wee bit gutted we don't have training this weekend, ah well roll on Weds!

As Kev mentioned if you have any questions, Kev and I will be more than happy to help based on our experience we had during the interview process so keep us posted.

Karen

Folks another new poster. Go easy on me!

Just sent my application today. nervously excited if that makes sense?

how's your application going ABZ flyer? You still enjoying your training Karen and Kev?

[Karen2105]

Ahoi there whitekanu, welcome to the fold, welcome newbies with open hands! I'll run you through the inititation process later..

Yep really enjoying training, just one more weekend and a couple hours to go tomorrow and thats us free to roam the streets! Can't wait, just want it to be that time already.

Give us a shout if you have any questions about the application process, happy to try and help as much as I can!

Karen

[whitekanu]

cheers Karen.

1 question about the training. Is it on consecutive weeks? Reason i ask is that i have to go offshore often (as i am now) and would hope this wouldn't hinder my chances. Hope that i would be able to come to an agreement so that they will be flexible with me

[kev1982]

cheers Karen.

1 question about the training. Is it on consecutive weeks? Reason i ask is that i have to go offshore often (as i am now) and would hope this wouldn't hinder my chances. Hope that i would be able to come to an agreement so that they will be flexible with me

Hows it goin Whitekanu??

Yes the training is in one block with one weekend off, but i also work offshore, so theres nothin to worry about, they'll try and work round you! What rotation do you work?? I'm 2 on 3 off, so i havent missed as much as i could have.
Keep us posted anyway pal!

What rig you on anyway?

Kev

[Queeg]

Just chipping in with a wee good luck wish for the new posters

[whitekanu]

Hows it goin Whitekanu??

Yes the training is in one block with one weekend off, but i also work offshore, so theres nothin to worry about, they'll try and work round you! What rotation do you work?? I'm 2 on 3 off, so i havent missed as much as i could have.
Keep us posted anyway pal!

What rig you on anyway?

Kev

Thats a relief, sounds like it shouldn't be too much of a problem getting the training done.(assuming i get accepted) Right now i'm in Norway, i don't work a rotation just go when and wherever the job demands.

where's your rotation?

[ABZ FLYER]

Have now sat the Language Paper and Critical Thinking Test. Got a letter two days later saying I had passed the Language paper and got a further letter today saying they have progressed my application to the medical examination stage. Still no word of the Critical Thinking results yet though.

How is the fitness test?

[Karen2105]

Hey ABZ,
Seems like your application is progressing fairly quickly then! I'm afraid I can't give you my experience about the critical thinking test as I think that has only come in fairly recently so I didn't sit it when I was going through the application process. Im not really sure what the purpose of it is or if its a pass or fail? I suspect you can take it thats a good sign that theyre moving you onto the next stage.

Fitness test is ok if your fairly fit, it usually comprises of a bleep test which you will have to reach a specific level and then a push/pull test. You usually do the fitness test on the same evening as your interview and it'll be the last stage of your application progress.

[whitekanu]

Have now sat the Language Paper and Critical Thinking Test. Got a letter two days later saying I had passed the Language paper and got a further letter today saying they have progressed my application to the medical examination stage. Still no word of the Critical Thinking results yet though.

Have my Set and Critical thinking test next week. Letter says that i will done in half an hour?

Any tips ABZ?

[ABZ FLYER]

Have my Set and Critical thinking test next week. Letter says that i will done in half an hour?

Any tips ABZ?

Good Luck!! The SET isn't anything more than a S1/S2 english test. The Critical Thinking test is slightly different in the respect that you are not told how it it marked, so really I am not sure how to describe it. It is also sent away for marking so it takes slightly longer for the results.

I got my results about two weeks after sitting the CTT.

[whitekanu]

Passed my Critical thinking and Language tests.

Waiting for the next stage which i think is the medical

[kev1982]

Passed my Critical thinking and Language tests.

Waiting for the next stage which i think is the medical

Well done, Thats the first bit out of the way at least!!

[ABZ FLYER]

Passed My Medical and have got a date of Wednesday 25 June for the Fitness Test and Interview.

Two questions: Is anyone else been given the same date for the Fitness Test? and secondly how hard is the Fitness Test and Interview?

[kev1982]

Passed My Medical and have got a date of Wednesday 25 June for the Fitness Test and Interview.

Two questions: Is anyone else been given the same date for the Fitness Test? and secondly how hard is the Fitness Test and Interview?

Hi ABZ well done for passing your medical!!
The fitness and interviews are very straight forward if your ready and prepared for them, but if your not, like anything it makes it harder, so my advise is to get out running/training, and get reading up on Grampian police! Know your stuff, everything you need to know is on the website. In the interview, just be yourself, try to stay composed and tell the truth!!!!! Good luck and let us know how you get on!!

Kev

[interested]

Passed My Medical and have got a date of Wednesday 25 June for the Fitness Test and Interview.

Two questions: Is anyone else been given the same date for the Fitness Test? and secondly how hard is the Fitness Test and Interview?

I've also got fitness & the interview on Wednesday and I'm not very optimistic about the former! It could prove to be quite humiliating in my case.

[JOHN]

I hope you do not turn up on Wed the 25th as the Interviews are on Wed the 24th.

[ABZ FLYER]

Thanks JOHN, my mistake mean't to put Wednesday 24 June in my initial post. Anyone have any info on the format of the evening? and the pass/fail limits for the fitness test?

I have had a look at a few website's now and have received conflicting information, one even saying that there is no pass/fail for the fitness test but is purely used as an advisory.

[whitekanu]

Thanks JOHN, my mistake mean't to put Wednesday 24 June in my initial post. Anyone have any info on the format of the evening? and the pass/fail limits for the fitness test?

I have had a look at a few website's now and have received conflicting information, one even saying that there is no pass/fail for the fitness test but is purely used as an advisory.

ABZ flyer and Interested - how did your interview and fitness tests go? (assuming they went well) any word when your training starts?

i had my medical last week - still waiting to hear the results

[ABZ FLYER]

Have been meaning to post for ages, I got my acceptance letter/phone call a few weeks ago (about 1 1/2 weeks after the selection evening). So really excited now and can't wait to begin the training. I think they mentioned that the next training session is at the end of September.

I fitness test wasn't too bad, however I agree with the advice given elsewhere on this forum, to get training for it asap. Although I would be careful downloading the bleep test from the ACPOS website, as for some reason I only managed to ever get to level 6 on it, however managed to get to level 9.1 on the night.

Hope everything goes well with your medical, whitekanu, and good luck with the interview and fitness test.

[Karen2105]

Well Done Abz! You any idea where you'd like to be based?