Ok my last topic on the police. I found a branch I can and would like to join "The Merseyside Police".

Now I just got off the phone from my Uncle who was in the British Army and knows a lot about the police. He was telling me that there's some sort of advanced training course you can take if you have a degree that gets you through basic training faster. I'm not sure what level it has to be though. Anyone else know?

He also said it is better to go in with a degree as well, although I'm not clear on the reasons, he mentioned courses. Is that true?

Also, do the police sponsor you for degrees? and if so, what kind of degrees?

This has been a pretty snap decision, I always thought about joining the British Police, but never actually looked into it, until I really started enjoying my time in the equivalent of the TA here in Ireland. So my Uncle told me not to rush into anything at the moment...

Also its quite hard to get into Police in England, I'm aware of that. But I'm hoping my work experience (Bar, Hospital, Supermarket, Army) will really help. I have above average results in my A levels equivalent and really good results in my GCSEs equivalent.

Also my achievements (taken from CV):

Specially selected for advanced Rifle training with the Reserve Defence Force.
Promoted to Pte 2 Star on 18/7/08 as a member of the Reserve Defence Force.
Completed Basic First Aid with the Reserve Defence Force, July 2008.
Completed Transition Year programme and achieved award of Merit in 24 modules.
President’s Award* Bronze Medal awarded May 2006.
Completed Course in Basic First Aid, May 2006.
Represented Ireland’s youth at the UN HQ, Strasbourg in the Euroscola Program.

*Equivalent to Duke of Edinburgh medal

heres my roles in the TA:

Attended all Field Days. Completed Basic Training (4/7/08 – 18/7/08). Accomplished all goals during Basic Training. I contributed greatly to the team and my interpersonal skills improved greatly and continue to do so. Was a member of security on the range. Was B.O.S. for a night.

So from those who have any knowledge of the police, am I likely to get in with what I have? I haven't got a sport...but I am very fit.

So has anyone got any comments?

I do find the TA a little draining at times - the constant pressure to succeed and be the best and the fear of letting your team down. But I don't think thats as prominent in the police.

And yes I am going to ring the careers office of the police to ask for advice and stuff, but LiveWire has never not helped, so I don't see why anyone here wouldn't have something constructive to say.

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Future. Sex. Love. Sound.
Just tell me which way you like it.

2- The police will not fund you through university.

3- There is every chance that you will get in, but the paper sift for these kind of roles is huge. Expect to wait anything up to six months to hear if you've been successful, and furthermore, another number of months before you actually start.

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Nobody ever loses their memory.
It just gets locked away like the mad woman in the attic.
Occasionally you hear her scream,
But you don't dare unlock the door and look in.

the VERY VERY first thing you need to do is visit their website and fill in an application form. if they like you from that they will invite you along to further interviews etc where you can start finding out a lil more and asking questions.

note getting past teh application stage is difficult at teh best of times, and beware they police applications dates vary and open up for only short periods once a year, look to see when merseyside are next taking in new applications

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---Suggestions wanted to fill this gap, PM me---

I was just checking the FAQ's on Merseyside website. There doesnt seem to be any extra perks for going in with a degree, but they talk about a "High Potential Scheme" and a "HPD" scheme, what exactly are they?

Also I found this....bear in mind I havent been a resident in the UK for 3 years...

Q: You need to be a British citizen or a member of the EC/EEA

A: For police officers, "all commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals who apply to the police service must be living in the UK free of restrictions at the time of application or must be entitled to do so."

Police Staff must be: British citizens, members of the EC/EEA, Commonwealth citizens or foreign nationals who have the legal right to live and work in the UK.

However you must have been resident in the UK for a minimum of three years and provide sufficient detail on any family members. This will enable adequate security vetting to take place in order to progress your application.

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Future. Sex. Love. Sound.
Just tell me which way you like it.

The HPD and HPS schemes are what I was talking about earlier, essentially fast tracking your career path, through promotions.  

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Nobody ever loses their memory.
It just gets locked away like the mad woman in the attic.
Occasionally you hear her scream,
But you don't dare unlock the door and look in.