Questions about SFOs and joining the police

[sentinel]

The YouTube clips are okay; they're about 4 minutes long. The Inspector on the relief is not a fair example of the general standard of leadership. There have been only two officers at 19 who came from SB (an unusual move; it's usually the other way round). The other one is a PC and a bloody good bloke, and then there's the guv'nor on the Sky films...Quite what he's doing in the front seat of an ARV is a complete mystery and a slight on the capabilities of the workers. Have a look at them, though. The clips are a good insight.

[Treeforg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Collins If you look closely at my avatar you'll just make out that well turned ankle in the Danner boot. Fame at last!

Ahhn so you dont deny the appearence of the Danner

I'll have you know that Ive been approached by Brad Pitt to do a Boot double on his next Hollywood extravaganza , so by my reckoning the royalities should be in the bezquillion mark by now?????

Oh as a footnote Steve "Shotgun flashbang" M became a grandad today to a beautiful little girl called Emily
I of cours being sooo much younger (NOT) am some way away from catching him up
Cheers n beers mate
Fil

[mrrandom]

thanks for the input guys, guess i'll have to stump up the 50 quid sky qouted me for a dvd

I hate being a student

[jaymacca]

i was looking for answers also to this question.. and have recently gained my place in uni for crimnology..bu again i have heard the same answers life experiance is more important in policing..as having a degree may meen u have all d brains..but no common sense and knowing how to tlk and adapt wid diff ppl and situations... i went to a few police stations asking questions and jus got the same answers, that you do not need a degree to become a firearms officer, it does not help in this area, but like ppl have said u may become attracted 2 a diffrent appartment were a degree would help....its a hard one buddy but i hope i helped

[nvdmm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaymacca i was looking for answers also to this question.. and have recently gained my place in uni for crimnology..bu again i have heard the same answers life experiance is more important in policing..as having a degree may meen u have all d brains..but no common sense and knowing how to tlk and adapt wid diff ppl and situations... i went to a few police stations asking questions and jus got the same answers, that you do not need a degree to become a firearms officer, it does not help in this area, but like ppl have said u may become attracted 2 a diffrent appartment were a degree would help....its a hard one buddy but i hope i helped

thnx mate i thought about it alot and i figured im going to university anyway, so if i am, why not study criminology or even law! something that might help u in the future. same as u, i've seen alot of people saying u shudn't join the firearms team straight after probation, but i disagree. i think u gain enough experiene and confidence in those two years that dealing with difficult situations shoudn't be an issue! so thats probably what i'll do

good luck

[DarkHorse]

Hi Guys,

Sorry i didnt read all the posts in this thread but yes you can join the firarms straight after the probaion but you need to be an AFO first (Authorised firearms officer) and then work your way up to a SFO.

you need to be extreamly fit to take the challenge of been a firearms officers and generally it takes a long time before your application get processed by CO19 unit (pending its in London).

But guys nothing is impossible in life .... believe me

DH

[jaymacca]

university is good to gain the experiance they are asking for ....people skills, as uni has a great social side and talking and adaping to diffrent people from diffrent backgrounds aswell as gaining a degree to help you afterwards

,yer i think we personaly know when were ready 4 the job, i think the first 2 years would be crucial as you wil have 2 show your dedication and show your wiling to work hard, basiaclly jus tick the boxes they want ticking
i also have been goin to local police stations and tlking to officers, basically showing them my intrest and show my ambition, getting my face knowin around the place....i now have contact with firearms officers they rescpet my ambition and send me emails reguarly ansering any questions i may have, i would recomend you do the same as you never know these officers coud help you in the future with selction.

thanks for your posts
i enjoyed them very helpful

[sentinel]

May be I'm getting old, and may be I'm being a bit pedantic (But, hey, it's what I get paid for...), but a couple of issues strike me from these most recent threads;
1. although you can apply for the firearms posts stright out of probation, it is unlikely to be successful as the grounding in general poicing is minimal, and
2. If you had to pay for this forum by the character, then I can appreciate it might be necessary to be economical with the letters used, but please, have a go at proper words; it'll be good practice and will help those who don't speak txt to understand what you are asking and be in a better position to help out.

[jaymacca]

I understand you saying general policing in minimal and are unlikely to succeed first time round but it is not impossible, I respect your view and opinion but if you tick the boxes they want ticking, have knowledgeable experience, join the force with a degree, and pass the fitness tests with simplicity, I don’t see how anyone would knock you back as you have the characteristics they want in a firearms officer.
I also apologize for my use of words, using text language I am so used to typing in text language I just see it as a normal thing now, I will try and change my ways so you guys can help me in the future with any queries I have.

[sentinel]

My comment about the txt was flippant; my comments about firearms training are not.
In many ways you are right. If you tick the boxes on the application form there should be no reason why you should not pass the rest of it, but it just doesn't work that way. I speak from 20 years as a police officer, 12 years as an AFO, in three different armed departments, now instructing.
You need a foundation in police work if you are to have any credibility on relief. You cannot buy experience, you cannot bluster though wisdom, you get it from being there and doing it. Those that try are soon found out and often move on.
I have made mention previously about the job; I still love it. Even in my mid forties I still get a buzz when the lights and horns go on. I would recommend it to anyone, but don't be in too much of a hurry to get there. Enjoy the journey. Get the grounding. Do the stuff coppers do, like death messages, domestics, burglary, car chases, demonstrations, pub fights, and you may even decide that you fancy doing something else. But above anything else, fill in the forms (and keep quiet about having a degree, the only person who cares is the Superintendent).