Look guys this is my life, this is actually a life decision and I really need help. I'm finding it difficult to make a decision and I just need help.
Ok, so the situation has changed slightly. Just to let those who don’t know, know: I am limited to the amount of police forces I can join in the UK due to the fact that I haven't been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to applying, even though I am a British Citizen. The force I really want to join is the Metropolitan, but they’re rigid about the 3 year residency rule. I hope to transfer to them eventually.
So the forces I can join are:
I’d prefer to join the Essex police because it’s closer to the area I want to live.
Now I'm only 18, I'm well aware that it’s hard to get in the police force, and there is a chance I won’t get in… but I plan to make it in the long run anyway. My CV is here if you want to see it. Here's what one police officer said:
18 is young. Most forces prefer candidates a little bit older and with more experience. That's not to say you won't get in at your age - you just might - but simply to point out that your option of waiting for 3 years whilst being resident in the UK would do you no harm at all. If you don't fancy more study then consider some other work over here. A degree would only make any difference if you were considering accelerated promotion and are aiming for the higher ranks. Of course going to University is a very enjoyable way to pass 3 years but it's not everything.
If you don't fancy more study then consider some other work over here. A degree would only make any difference if you were considering accelerated promotion and are aiming for the higher ranks. Of course going to University is a very enjoyable way to pass 3 years but it's not everything.
So, the thing is, I want to make it to senior ranks in the force and for that you need a degree, it doesn’t specify what degree. I'm not sure if I want to go to university at all. University is free in Ireland – as in no fees. Trouble is, the only degree I've been offered here is one in Archaeology and Geology. I could apply to UK universities under clearing…but that will cost money big time, and I just don't like the idea of having to take out a student loan.
I planned to do a degree part time with the police force, but, you know maybe I'm missing out on a really important part of my life – university… I just want independence now and a bit of cash in my pocket. I want to lead my own life. I want to move to the UK now anyway. But University is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, but I'm sick of being broke as a teenager, I don’t want to be 21 and still broke. I want to earn money and be able to spend it.
Anyways here's a question I posed to a police officer:
I’m just curious as to whether I can perhaps pursue a degree that could advance my career with the police part time while I’m serving with the police. Is that possible?
His reply:
Yes, it's possible. I know of several senior officers who have taken degrees or masters courses whilst in the job, generally in some kind of criminal psychology or, more commonly, public service management. However, it would put you under a great deal of pressure. The job is a 40+ hour week as it is and adding part-time study on top of that really does use up your time. You need room to have a life out of the job! Currently the fast-track promotion scheme requires a degree before you can start it and then there will still be fairly intensive study to do to get through the promotion exams. If you join without a degree you'll be studying for one at the same time as going through your probation which is in itself a lot of hard work. That will make your first years in the job really hard work. If the higher ranks are where your ambitions lie I'd suggest it would be best to get at least a bachelor's degree out of the way before you join - especially in your circumstances where you have a bit of time to kill anyway. I appreciate your reservations about getting yourself into debt and there's no doubt you're going to find money tight once you start in the police, but that's short-term. The pay increases quite quickly in the first few years.
Currently the fast-track promotion scheme requires a degree before you can start it and then there will still be fairly intensive study to do to get through the promotion exams. If you join without a degree you'll be studying for one at the same time as going through your probation which is in itself a lot of hard work. That will make your first years in the job really hard work.
If the higher ranks are where your ambitions lie I'd suggest it would be best to get at least a bachelor's degree out of the way before you join - especially in your circumstances where you have a bit of time to kill anyway. I appreciate your reservations about getting yourself into debt and there's no doubt you're going to find money tight once you start in the police, but that's short-term. The pay increases quite quickly in the first few years.
He recommended a “bullshit social science course” or some degree with relevance to police work.
I don't know what to do, and I just want some advice, cos I haven't really got anyone to help me…please guys, just take a bit of time.
Well as he is saying, I would go to Uni, do a Degree which is related. Student Loans in the UK are good because it is a small amount to pay back each month and it gets wiped off when you get to a certain age. Also Uni gives you life experience at being independent. The three year thing is also worth waiting out and Uni would be the best way to use that time well. I don't think you would struggle on the money front and as he said you would find it very hard to do any part of a degree at the same time as doing the police work and I think grades suffer like that. Hope this helped, feel free to pm me if you want to talk further
Student Loans in the UK are good because it is a small amount to pay back each month and it gets wiped off when you get to a certain age. Also Uni gives you life experience at being independent.
The three year thing is also worth waiting out and Uni would be the best way to use that time well.
I don't think you would struggle on the money front and as he said you would find it very hard to do any part of a degree at the same time as doing the police work and I think grades suffer like that.
Hope this helped, feel free to pm me if you want to talk further
I have no financial support from my family, and after having pennies in my pocket all my teenage life Im not really wanting that now, especially going into debt straight away. These 3 years, if I dont get in Essex police I was hoping to earn money while boosting my CV for the police and then worrying about a degree once I get in...
however I do want a degree, so i can earn a higher wage with the police, the highest you can earn after 11 years is £34K. The starting pay is £22K.
The only degree Im interested in doing is an Art (as in drawing and painting) degree...and thats hardly useful for the police.
Its all a mess in my head.
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