Hampshire Police

[wilson83]

I'm not sure if I am posting this on the right topic, but I figured it was a good place to start. My husband (26) is applying to Hampshire Constabulary to become a PO for the 5th time this week. He hasn't been able to get past the 1st hurdle and it's really starting to affect his self esteem. He is very smart, has the right build and mentality and already knows the law inside and out (in a good way through study, not because he has been naughty). He has no criminal offences and has volunteered to help the police on many many occasions. His next application is being posted on Thursday, but I am quitely sure it will be rejected once again. It really kicks it out of him for a few weeks afterwards and I am concerned about his health. can anyone recommend anything that will help his application or to keep him positive, I am slowly running out of things to keep him motivated. Are there any serving coppers out there who might be able to give us an insight into the problem or any other info? He really can't stand the thought of staying where he is in landscaping any longer. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks x

[Booldawg]

How about applying to a constabulary in a different county thats commutable? eg Surrey/Sussex/Dorset (depending on where you live in Hampshire). I'm not sure about our police service here in Hampshire but I know that Hampshire Fire & Rescue is notorious as the hardest Fire Brigade to join in the country.

[wilson83]

Thanks for your suggestion. I think if this one he is posting tomorrow is rejected we might give a joining county a try, we haven't got anything to lose. It will be a bit of a commute as we are in Gosport (if you know the area), but at least he would be in and has a better chance of getting a transfer. At the moment we are willing to try anything.

[Carby]

Because if he was an officer in Hampshire BOOLDAWG would end up striping him up, outside Oasis on a Friday/Saturday night.

[Booldawg]

I'd make sure the fight split out onto the A325.

[trgch]

I know it�s too late for your husband�s current application but a lot of the Forces set a mistake limit for spelling and grammar. Those which go over are rejected regardless of how good the evidence is. So always write it out in draft and proof read it. If he is hand writing it then I would suggest using the electronic versions. With regards to the evidence. The following areas are probed.
Respect for race and diversity
Teamworking
Community and customer focus
Effective communication
Problem solving
Personal responsibility
Resilience
The best way to lay it out is. What the situation was, what your husband did and finally what the outcomes were. Also look at. www.how2become.co.uk

If your husband is rejected this time then always ask for feedback.
Finally looking at other Forces in your area is not that bad an idea. I would suggest looking at the Met. He will get �6000 a year more than he would in Hampshire, free train travel up 70 miles around London so Portsmouth or Southampton and most shift patterns are 12 hr so during every 28 day period you have 14 days off.

[pwak]

to be quite honest with you i know a lot of police constables generally. they all tell me that despite the average or above average pay and pension contributions, the job is abismal. not only do you face tough tests to get in but you also have to prove yourself over 2 years to complete your probation. This means not being able to get your meal breaks, clearing your crimes and the posibility of having leave cancelled. Your best option if you are interested in crime fighting is to go for the lesser model of community beat officer, they do not have powers of arrest and so by do not need to clear any outstanding work, which is where a lot of police officers fail, because there is no time to do the job properly and effectively. The police have an incredible fall out rate, and i also know there are a lot who are off with sickness. I hope i have not put you off too much but i am sure you would enjoy this job more than the regulars.

[trgch]

Please don't follow pwak suggestion. PCSO only get paid a fraction of the salary a Police Officer gets. They only have one role and no promotion prospects. They perform a very useful function but your husband will have far more fun in the long run as a PC and chance to retire after 35yrs is better than 65 isn't it.

[pwak]

in reality it does sound like a fraction of the pay but in reality it only calculates to approx �100 a month this in my mind is a small amount compared to the hassles of a police constable.