 | Home > Off Topic > What's your opinion of the Special Constabulary (seriously) |
 
|
|
|
| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731   
|
I need some advice for my son, Joshua please
He will start studying in Colchester this Autumn and, since he will have quite a lot of time (flexible) on his hands, he wants to get involved in public service. Unfortunately (unlike here) her can't train part time as a paramedic so he has the idea to join the Special Constabulary. To be honest, when I left the UK 20+ years ago, Specials were considered a bit of a joke ("hobby bobbies") and got little or no respect. They also got attacked quite a lot in rougher parts of the country. However, Joshua has read up on the internet and is convinced things have drastically changed since then. He insists they get similar training and have the same powers as the regular police. As Colchester is no longer the safe and sleepy little market town I left behind, I am understandably worried for his welfare. Please can you folks give your opinions, experiences, advice etc. Everything will be very gratefully received  Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
||
10th May 2014 3:06pm |
|
| AndyS Member Since: 18 Aug 2012 Location: London Posts: 595  
|
I used to work next door to a local police station and got to know the police working out of that station fairly well. It is still true that they're not taken as seriously as the full-blown police but the local stations do have a mix of full police and community officers (or what ever their actual title is) and tend to go out in mixed pairs when they're doing something more serious. Oh the whole, they were out policing the school run, local high streets and busy travel periods on the buses and not going head long into high danger situations. It looked to be a bloody good job, to be honest. One chap got to mountain bike all day, riding up to the local lake, back past the schools and had the day to himself. I think the most serious stuff they dealt with was a local family of rat-bags and the anti-social behaviour they put out to the rest of the community.
Second to what I've said, the twin of a good friend of mind became a community officers and decided after a year or two to take it further and became a full-blown police officer so it is something your son could develop further if he decided he liked it. If he decides it's not for him then it's the sort of thing that looks good on a CV. I can't see that there are many bad points to it, to he honest. |
||
|
10th May 2014 3:16pm |
|
| a13x Member Since: 25 Sep 2011 Location: Burton on Trent Posts: 551
|
^^
Are you referring to PCSO rather than specials? I have not come across an event where specials are not taken seriously. They wear the same uniform, have same powers etc and the general public would not know the difference. They do not get the same training as a regular PC but enough to carry out their role. It is a great step into the force if that is a route he decides into, however with cut backs etc that may be difficult dependent on the force. PCSO on the other hand... |
||
|
10th May 2014 3:32pm |
|
| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610 
|
Matt,
He would be expected to attend Magistrates Court on occasion to give evidence etc. would this not impinge on his studies perhaps? There are many aspects to this and due consideration would have to be given so it doesn't affect academic success. If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!! Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
||
|
10th May 2014 3:46pm |
|
| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731
|
I just checked and he says it's Special Constabulary he's after not Community. If he's properly trained and looks "official" I guess it's less worrying
Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
||
|
10th May 2014 3:49pm |
|
| bear100 Member Since: 22 Mar 2010 Location: South Wales Posts: 1871  
|
A PCSO can not arrest any one only citizen arrest, they don't have all the powers the regular police have, they don't carry batons spray or hand restraints.
They do however get a lot more respect than the old specials used to. 2016 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 TDV8 2010 110 XS Utility 2.4TDCI 2010 Range Rover Sport TDV8 (gone) 2007 Discovery HSE TDV6 (gone) 1993 110 csw 200 tdi (gone) 1994 90 HT 300 tdi (gone) 1994 discovery 300tdi (gone) 90 hybrid 3.5 v8 (gone) Range rover bobtail 3.5 v8 (gone) |
||
|
10th May 2014 4:05pm |
|
| TooTall Member Since: 10 Jul 2012 Location: Fens Posts: 504 
|
In a former life, I've worked alongside both C3PO's & Specials.
Frankly if a special gets into bother or has to attend Court - then something has gone seriously wrong. I think a number of Forces are now only recruiting from within the Police "family" so PCSO & Special's can have a future within the regulars.. TT  "Ease your worries, Clear-up your woes,
Go into your garage & put stuff into rows." |
||
|
10th May 2014 4:12pm |
|
| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731
|
Mal - that's my concern too, as well as whether he would have any real security if he got injured on the job.
He's studying sports science with Open University to become a PE teacher, so it does all fit together. Although the courses are full time, studying could be shifted around to make time for additional training. What amazes me is that he could study anywhere in the world but chooses to live in Colchester. I don't think my wife and I have encouraged it Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
||
|
10th May 2014 4:19pm |
|
| ken Member Since: 18 Aug 2009 Location: Banging Birds with my bitches !! Posts: 4328
|
Get him to train at Sandhurst
 |
||
|
10th May 2014 4:22pm |
|
| BigRuss Member Since: 15 May 2010 Location: Norfolk Posts: 2785
|
Now I'm not one to squash peoples dreams (unless the ask for it...)
One of my cousins studied sports science with he same view to be a PE teacher. Since leaving uni 3 years ago he has been doing voluntary work to boost his cv but still can't find work. Russell 2011MY 110 XS USW Black |
||
|
10th May 2014 4:29pm |
|
| borderterrier Member Since: 09 Dec 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 1677 
|
We don't train coppers there.  |
||
|
10th May 2014 4:48pm |
|
| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731
|
When he's qualified he'll probably go (back) into the International schools network - as long as you don't mind moving to another country every couple of years it's pretty okay. He's interned at Munich and Basel schools already so he probably has a good chance OR he'll stay in the UK and do a proper job. Police force is now looking more likely...
p.s. he wanted to go to Sandhurst but didn't have the grades  Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
||
|
10th May 2014 4:50pm |
|
| borderterrier Member Since: 09 Dec 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 1677
|
Military Police as a soldier entrant?
|
||
|
10th May 2014 4:53pm |
|
| SailingTom Member Since: 19 Nov 2013 Location: ESSEX Posts: 1709
|
To be honest Colchester isnt that bad, im nearby in Mersea Island and thats my closest town. It has its troubles like all large towns do.
That said Its not something i'd want do there specially as a volunteer, whether or not he says it will impact on his studies it will (I work with the police as they now share our Fire station, only PCSO's and officers though) I looked into it as did want to join the police before joining the fire service. Having said that it is a good thing for future employment (doesnt seem to help that much getting into essex police) but looks good on a CV plus he'll get other training aswell. I take it he's going to University of Essex? Defender puma dormobile camper |
||
|
10th May 2014 4:58pm |
|
|
|
| All times are GMT + 1 Hour |
< Previous Topic | Next Topic > |
Posting Rules
|
Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
