Military to CO 19

J

jammyk87

Full Registered User
Right....here goes!

Without trying to cause any offence to serving officers, is there a "fast track" way into armed policing or particularly CO 19 for ex military??

I originally applied for the police when I was 19, before I joined up but to be honest I was too wet behind the ears and didn't have the right level of maturity or life experience for it. Which undoubtedly showed during my interview. I'm 26 now and unless I get the promotion/posting I want I'll be putting in my "6 clicks to freedom"!

I've seriously considered the private security route but with current cuts, every man and his dog who has done a weapons handling test and acmt will "have served in brigade recce on several operational deployments assisting sf with wings/jungle course/sniper bullshit".

I know I have the right academic ability, intelect and nows to be successful again and I'm confident that I've got enough life experience now.

Surely recruiting ex military for armed police is ideal.

Any thoughts/advice/Insight/abuse is always appreciated.
 
Jammy
The simple answer is no.
You would have to go through the same process as everyone else to join the Police. Dependant on your chosen force you would have to go through the same lengthy application process or go in via the SC. Once in the job you would then have to complete your 2 year probationary period. Upon completion of your probation you can then begin to apply for other posts.
Bear in mind that you are up against seasoned cops who will have accrued a lot of evidence for thier applications. Your previous military experience counts for ZERO. You will be questioned in your interview on topics such as the Diversity Strands, Human Rights and all sorts of stuff that has no bearing at all on your job.
Being ex military is of very little use to a cop. Things are done so different it is beyond belief. You are a social worker, a parent, a citizens advice centre and a whole pile of other things as well as being a cop. You need to learn the core skills and competancies for being a Police Officer before you can hope to progress within the job. An outstanding beat bobby will be given an AFO job before someone who has military experience. Thats the way the job works.
I found the transition relatively easy having had 10 years on civvy street before joining the force. I have seen at least half a dozen guys from the mil join the job and not make it past their first year.
So sorry. If you think that you will just walk into the Police and become a firearms bobby the answer is no.
Im sure theres planty on here for discussion now.
 
Thanks for the replies. I was't looking for a golden ticket into the job but it is definitely something I want to work towards.

rhea, I mean i terms of favoring someone who has previous experience with weapons.
 
jammyk87 said:
Thanks for the replies. I was't looking for a golden ticket into the job but it is definitely something I want to work towards.

rhea, I mean i terms of favoring someone who has previous experience with weapons.
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As Andy has identified above, the short (and simple answer) is NO. Just the way it is. The two jobs are poles apart; and without being blunt the very fact you are asking the question or of the belief that recruiting exmil to AFO / SFO roles is "ideal" may suggest that you have not come far enough in your development and understanding of what is required.
 
jammyk87 said:
Right....here goes!

Without trying to cause any offence to serving officers, is there a "fast track" way into armed policing or particularly CO 19 for ex military??

I originally applied for the police when I was 19, before I joined up but to be honest I was too wet behind the ears and didn't have the right level of maturity or life experience for it. Which undoubtedly showed during my interview. I'm 26 now and unless I get the promotion/posting I want I'll be putting in my "6 clicks to freedom"!

I've seriously considered the private security route but with current cuts, every man and his dog who has done a weapons handling test and acmt will "have served in brigade recce on several operational deployments assisting sf with wings/jungle course/sniper bullshit".

I know I have the right academic ability, intelect and nows to be successful again and I'm confident that I've got enough life experience now.

Surely recruiting ex military for armed police is ideal.

Any thoughts/advice/Insight/abuse is always appreciated.
Click to expand...

Not read all the posts so apologies if repeating what has already been suggested..? My advice if I may..? Leave your former Firearms experience, training and any 'contacts' where it belongs... With your 'Red Book'... That's it... CD (Former commercial contractor to UK Police Service Firearms teams)
 
Ex military have this conception that as they have handled firearms then this makes themselves more suitable to be a Police AFO.
Police have to be far more accountable in the use of force then the military have to. Every time draw your weapon or fire a round off
you have to able able to justify every single point. (Look whats happening with the Duggan case).
Although after your two years probation your are free to apply to most roles within the Police in reality it can take you a lot longer to gain the necessary experience. Any panel interviewing you will want to know more about your knowledge and powers, dealing with conflict , working with others etc. They wont accept you on solely on previous service with the Mil.
The Met will be recruiting again shortly (as I have been told from someone serving) as they aren't getting the numbers due to new application criteria where you have to have this college course on community policing which can cost up to a 1K to get.
 
I don't know you from Adam so may be well of the mark but your history, based solely on your post, indicates you believe things should be given to you rather than you earning them. The immaturity you refer to seems to be deeply ingrained. A post intro such as 'if I worked my arse off as a probationary copper, after making the decision to career transition into law enforcement, what would be my chances, assuming I prove myself as a good, dedicated copper.....' but rather you ask about a possible (non-existent) short cut.
Again, I don't know you, but I'm guessing you won't be getting the promotion/posting 'you want' (you used the word 'want' rather than 'deserve' btw).

I'm willing to bet you take this as a personal attack when I genuinely mean to point out to you the flaws you throw out there for us to read and wish you well, however, I think there is still some growing up/reality checking to do.
 
Standeasy said:
I don't know you from Adam so may be well of the mark but your history, based solely on your post, indicates you believe things should be given to you rather than you earning them. The immaturity you refer to seems to be deeply ingrained. A post intro such as 'if I worked my arse off as a probationary copper, after making the decision to career transition into law enforcement, what would be my chances, assuming I prove myself as a good, dedicated copper.....' but rather you ask about a possible (non-existent) short cut.
Again, I don't know you, but I'm guessing you won't be getting the promotion/posting 'you want' (you used the word 'want' rather than 'deserve' btw).

I'm willing to bet you take this as a personal attack when I genuinely mean to point out to you the flaws you throw out there for us to read and wish you well, however, I think there is still some growing up/reality checking to do.
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Not at all and I appreciate the feedback. Again, I wasn't asking for a shortcut, simply if people with previous experience I.e ex mil were looked favourably on for armed policing. I think it was elsewhere on this forum I had read that although you can apply to most roles after two years, AFO would require a lot longer but ex mil were more likely to get it after probation.
I more than deserve my promotion, I want it to continue my career.

Cbev, I would have to massively disagree. The military are just as accountable for use of force.
 
You never know, there may be any number of police commissioners on here, that, having got a slight stiffy from ready your post, even as we speak, are changing the rules, training and associated legislation, just to get you onto a firearms team PDQ. And yes, I am taking the pish....
 
Jammyk87 Its been a while since I have been in the mob but remind me how much form filling you have to do every time you point a weapon at someone or use your sight to observe them. ??? If anything having previous firearms experience can go against you for a number of reasons ie thinking you know it all. I'm still in contact with a few mates in SO19 who are now instructors (for the record I was never an AFO) and they will tell you that the vast majority of officers applying just out their probation will not get through the paper sift, board of the training course regardless if they were some top notch firearms guru. A former Para sniper that I knew failed his Police Snipers/Marksmanship course because of the instructors bias towards him due to his experience in the mil.
 
Hi Jammy,
I served in the Police Service for 33 years and the TA for 32 years, so I have seen both side of this subject. I have also been a member of a Police Firearms Team and Police armed close protection team. My advice is only join the Police if you want to do Police work and all that it involves. I have met some military and ex military people who would make great cops and others who would be sacked within a week. The firearms side of the Police be it tactical or close protection is varied depending where you work and it is a world away from the military attitude to firearms in almost every way, maybe with the exception of safety.

My best advice is do not under any circumstances join the Police because you wish to be an armed response officer.

Good luck in your future career..................Nippy
 
nippy said:
My advice is only join the Police if you want to do Police work and all that it involves.

My best advice is do not under any circumstances join the Police because you wish to be an armed response officer.

Good luck in your future career..................Nippy
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Worth repeating....................
 
There is a reverse route to capitalise on what you have now: one of our instructors, JW, was ex-22, earned and learned all his quals on the planned run-up to leaving and joined us as a Police firearms instructor, range warden, armourer, VIP CP and CME trainer, god knows what else. After a good look-see for about 18 months, he surrendered all that, joined as quite a mature probationary constable, and as his career led him rapidly into CID he never went near a gun again. Initial pay drop but he soon caught that up again.
 
If you are so desperate to be an armed police officer, there is a fastrack. Get on a plane, go to Tennessee, find a backwoods bimbo, marry her, get a green card, go to the police academy, get a job. Job done :)
 
SCT said:
If you are so desperate to be an armed police officer, there is a fastrack. Get on a plane, go to Tennessee, find a backwoods bimbo, marry her, get a green card, go to the police academy, get a job. Job done :)
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Any photos?
An address would make it easier........... (Tennessee is a big place)
 
Hello mate, I am in the Met Police and you can not join SO19 straight away. You will have to join the Met as SO19 is only the Met Police. You could join a county force but their firearms calls are not going to be as juicy as the ones in London. I am also ex-military and to be honest they don't really like ex-squaddies in the firearms unit even though most units are full if them. This is because they want to train people their way. If you join the Police and after a few years what to join a ARV unit please do not tell them you are an ex-squaddie. Be the grey man. The world of firearms is completely different to anything in the Army. The selection to join SO19 is not physically hard for anyone in the Army but you do have to be a good Copper, know your stuff and legislation word for word. Because it is not about shooting it is all about restraint and being a good communicator on all levels. Hope this helps, go for it and follow your dreams.
 
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