- Joined
- May 2, 2008
- Messages
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- 31
Afternoon everyone,
I originally applied to Merseyside police last year - it has taken a while to progress but I have been invited to a SEARCH assessment. I am facing a bit of a dilemma though and would like to get some advice from members on here.
I am ex forces and have spent my career in the security and risk management sector, now specializing in emergency planning for shopping centers and arenas.
Since applying for the police, I have secured employment with a really good company and have settled into the role really well. I currently work from home and if I have to travel it is covered by my employer. I am on a salary (with car allowance) of approx £42k. My current shift pattern is the old mon-fri 9-5 but because I am home based I can basically work any hours (as long as my basic requirement is covered) so some days will start at 06:00 and can finish at 14:00, or start later finish later if I have stuff I need to do.
I have always wanted to join the police, but I have a lot more commitments now (Mrs, mortgage, kids etc). Due to my current working pattern/salary we live quite a decent lifestyle with no major monetary concerns (we are not rich by any stretch, but get a couple of decent holidays a year/if a car needs a repair its not the end of the world, home improvements etc.). I am really struggling with the decision to join the police as it will basically mean a complete change to my working pattern and a big drop in salary (almost 20k). Part of me really wants to go for it but I also realise that this would have been fantastic for me 10 years ago, maybe I should stay were I am as at least I know I have all my weekends and evenings to myself, work from home and have a decent income.
Can anyone please give some feedback on what they would do in this situation (I know its ultimately my decision). I have spoken to a lot of serving police officers (my job that I do means I liaise with forces all over the country and CTSA teams for testing purposes) and I get a lot of feedback from them. A lot of the police officers I have spoken to have said the same thing - I would be stupid to throw in what I have now to start at the bottom with the police but a few say to go for it as it would be a good career.
Any help would be appreciated.
Andy
I originally applied to Merseyside police last year - it has taken a while to progress but I have been invited to a SEARCH assessment. I am facing a bit of a dilemma though and would like to get some advice from members on here.
I am ex forces and have spent my career in the security and risk management sector, now specializing in emergency planning for shopping centers and arenas.
Since applying for the police, I have secured employment with a really good company and have settled into the role really well. I currently work from home and if I have to travel it is covered by my employer. I am on a salary (with car allowance) of approx £42k. My current shift pattern is the old mon-fri 9-5 but because I am home based I can basically work any hours (as long as my basic requirement is covered) so some days will start at 06:00 and can finish at 14:00, or start later finish later if I have stuff I need to do.
I have always wanted to join the police, but I have a lot more commitments now (Mrs, mortgage, kids etc). Due to my current working pattern/salary we live quite a decent lifestyle with no major monetary concerns (we are not rich by any stretch, but get a couple of decent holidays a year/if a car needs a repair its not the end of the world, home improvements etc.). I am really struggling with the decision to join the police as it will basically mean a complete change to my working pattern and a big drop in salary (almost 20k). Part of me really wants to go for it but I also realise that this would have been fantastic for me 10 years ago, maybe I should stay were I am as at least I know I have all my weekends and evenings to myself, work from home and have a decent income.
Can anyone please give some feedback on what they would do in this situation (I know its ultimately my decision). I have spoken to a lot of serving police officers (my job that I do means I liaise with forces all over the country and CTSA teams for testing purposes) and I get a lot of feedback from them. A lot of the police officers I have spoken to have said the same thing - I would be stupid to throw in what I have now to start at the bottom with the police but a few say to go for it as it would be a good career.
Any help would be appreciated.
Andy