HELP - Regular police or Community support officers??

[wilson83]

Hi Guys. I really need your help.

My husband has applied 3 times to Hampshire police force, without getting past the first stage each time. I know you don't know him, but he is fit, very intelligent and calm. Has a very long fuse and everyone who knows him, including his friends that are coppers can't understand why he keeps getting turned down. He can apply again in December, but is wondering whether he would have a better chance in getting into PCSO rather than a regular copper? If anyone can offer advice or experience it would be VERY very appreciated! Cheers guys

[Postdog]

Can't answer for that specific job, but surely it makes sense to be in the rtight place, and if he can get in as a PCSO, then it should only improve his chances of being a proper copper.

I applied for a job as a postman years ago, and didn't get an interview. At around the same time I applied for one of the Christmas casual jobs, which I did get. I was retained after Christmas, and when I asked the manager if it would help me get a job full time, he sorted it out because I now had a proven track record.

[hibeeslass]

My friend and i both applied to Local Force her and never got passed the 3rd stage. I was so fed up i've never bothered even though they encourage you to reapply with all the feedback they give you etc but i took another direction and never bothered. My freind however was so desperate to get in she joined the specials and that lead her to becoming a full time fully fledged police officer and she loves it. So i say yes tell himto go for it.

[wizard]

As a serving Police Officer I can say that becoming a PCSO will not in anyway favour any future application to the Police Service for your husband.

However, the interpersonal skills which your husband will gain from the job will be priceless. Not only will it build up his confidence, confrontational skills and his ability to communicate but it will also give him that edge when it comes to displaying his life skills.

The sad fact is, it doesn't matter if your an olympic athelete with an IQ of 180, its all about how you initially present yourself in the application stage.

Also, becoming a PCSO is easier to achieve than becoming a full time Police Officer. If your husband wants practical experience of being a Police Officer than id suggest joining the Special Constabulary.

All the best.

[wilson83]

Agh..I jst wrote a long reply to you all and it has deleted it without being put on the page! I will do a quick version.

Thanks for you replies. Wizard, He knows that being a PCSO will not automatically gaurantee him a position as a regular police officer, but he would gain invaluable experience and advice from servng coppers. He desperately wants to get in, that everytime he gets rejected its like a kick int he teeth.

He is not able to do voluntary work as a special as he does not have available time due to his current job. It is also not an option financially as we need the monet he gets from overtime.

Wizard - Do you know what the application process is for a PCSO? He knows the routine for regular, but not any other.

He struggles to show his cababilities on paper (this may sound strange, due to fact he so deperately tries to show he can do it, which doesn't always come out right), So I can't help but think joing as a PCSO, would be a better way of proving himself? Thanks guys, much appreicated!

[mosesg]

Could he not enquire as to why he has been rejected as the reply might help him work on whatever they are rejecting him for. this might show how keen he is to get in an to inprove on any low points

[wilson83]

Already one step ahead of you there, mosesg. We did that the last time and he scored well on 1/4, not so well on (i think) 2 or 1 and the other(s) badly. We have a friend who is an ex copper who is helping with the application process, but it didnt help him last time. The copper thought the answers he gave in the competency part of the application were of a high standard, but obviously not. Although we do have the feedback regarding his application, so it may help for future applications. Does anyone know roughly what PCSO's in Hampshire get paid? full time if you need to know. Cheers guys, as always much appreciated.

[ELVIS68]

I had the same problem trying to join the London Fire Brigade about 15 years ago, after applying for the fith time I got a letter saying they are only recruiting people from ethnic backgrounds and that my application will be held on file for future recruitment....I wrote back wishing them good luck and to delete my name from their files

[WendyS]

Do you think it's conceivably possible that Hampshire police are concentrating on trying to increase their ethnic minority recruits at the expense of others and that is the reason why your husband has been unsuccessful? There was a case in the press very recently of a white recruit being rejected and the reason given was precisely this, i.e. increasing their minority recruits. I believe he won a successful case for discrimination. I can't recall the specific details. Maybe somebody can point you on the internet for further information.

[WendyS]

Found the details. Check this site:

http://www.personneltoday.com/Articles/Article .aspx?feed=rss&liArticleID=37337

[wilson83]

Hi,
Yes we do strongly believe he is a victim of discrimination which does seem very strange. I am hearing every where about this. Fire/police/ambulance service and even civil service and public sectors. I fully support those of a ethnic background going for public service jobs, but I cannot believe the audacity of some of the comments made to white/English applicants. It really annoys me, because I think, if those people wanted to do it, they would apply regardless surely!!?? Sorry I am stepping off my soap box!

[mullein3]

Wilson83, I think it is wrong of you to allege that your partner is a victim of discrimination just because he has not got through the recruitment process. There are hundreds of white people joining the police on a weekly basis, how many black or asian police officers do you see in your area. You talk about the discrimination as that must be the reason your partner failed, well if he was that good then he would of got through as the local forces are still employiong white police officers. Dont blame blacks/asians for your partners inability to get into the police force. Rather than posting excuses on here get him to look in the mirror, reflect on how he performed, and work harder to get in next time. Joining the police force is not easy, and people who fail the process should work harder next time. There are many people who have tried to join the police on more than one occasion and have had 'Knock Backs', but had the ability to return stronger and more determined.

[wilson83]

Mullein3.

If you read my post correctly you would see that I never said that his discrimintation was the main factor as to why he never got into our local force and I certainly don't remember "blaming" black/ asian people for why my husband didn't get in. I don't appreciate being critisized by someone who has obviously got the wrong end of the stick and putting words into my mouth, so to speak. I also don't recalI "making excuses" on this post, my original post was asking whether it was worth him trying for PCSO, rather than regular officer. I happen to know for a fact that alot less white people are succeeding entry into public services because the goverment need to up the minority employees. Which as I think is fantastic for all communities, but don't disregard worthy applicants, purely because they are not of that minority group.Did you read the previous posts regarding somone that had it written in black and white as to why they were not successful? We are fully aware of how difficult it is to get into the force as we are on his 4th attempt. He does not need to look in the mirror to make him understand that he needs to be strong to continue the pursuit of the career he desperately wants. He works hard every time, as I am sure most people do when re-applying for the 3rd,4th,5th or whatever number of times and he will continue to do so. I posted this topic for advice and help, not to have remarks made that are completely irrelavent. If you do not have anything constructive to say, don't say anything at all.