The YouTube clips are okay; they're about 4 minutes long. The Inspector on the relief is not a fair example of the general standard of leadership. There have been only two officers at 19 who came from SB (an unusual move; it's usually the other way round). The other one is a PC and a bloody good bloke, and then there's the guv'nor on the Sky films...Quite what he's doing in the front seat of an ARV is a complete mystery and a slight on the capabilities of the workers. Have a look at them, though. The clips are a good insight.
Questions about SFOs and joining the police
- Thread starter nvdmm
- Start date
If you look closely at my avatar you'll just make out that well turned ankle in the Danner boot. Fame at last!
Ahhn so you dont deny the appearence of the Danner
I'll have you know that Ive been approached by Brad Pitt to do a Boot double on his next Hollywood extravaganza , so by my reckoning the royalities should be in the bezquillion mark by now?????
Oh as a footnote Steve "Shotgun flashbang" M became a grandad today to a beautiful little girl called Emily
I of cours being sooo much younger (NOT) am some way away from catching him up
Cheers n beers mate
Fil
i was looking for answers also to this question.. and have recently gained my place in uni for crimnology..bu again i have heard the same answers life experiance is more important in policing..as having a degree may meen u have all d brains..but no common sense and knowing how to tlk and adapt wid diff ppl and situations... i went to a few police stations asking questions and jus got the same answers, that you do not need a degree to become a firearms officer, it does not help in this area, but like ppl have said u may become attracted 2 a diffrent appartment were a degree would help....its a hard one buddy but i hope i helped
thnx mate
i thought about it alot and i figured im going to university anyway, so if i am, why not study criminology or even law! something that might help u in the future. same as u, i've seen alot of people saying u shudn't join the firearms team straight after probation, but i disagree. i think u gain enough experiene and confidence in those two years that dealing with difficult situations shoudn't be an issue! so thats probably what i'll dogood luck
Hi Guys,
Sorry i didnt read all the posts in this thread but yes you can join the firarms straight after the probaion but you need to be an AFO first (Authorised firearms officer) and then work your way up to a SFO.
you need to be extreamly fit to take the challenge of been a firearms officers and generally it takes a long time before your application get processed by CO19 unit (pending its in London).
But guys nothing is impossible in life .... believe me
DH
Sorry i didnt read all the posts in this thread but yes you can join the firarms straight after the probaion but you need to be an AFO first (Authorised firearms officer) and then work your way up to a SFO.
you need to be extreamly fit to take the challenge of been a firearms officers and generally it takes a long time before your application get processed by CO19 unit (pending its in London).
But guys nothing is impossible in life .... believe me
DH
university is good to gain the experiance they are asking for ....people skills, as uni has a great social side and talking and adaping to diffrent people from diffrent backgrounds aswell as gaining a degree to help you afterwards
,yer i think we personaly know when were ready 4 the job, i think the first 2 years would be crucial as you wil have 2 show your dedication and show your wiling to work hard, basiaclly jus tick the boxes they want ticking
i also have been goin to local police stations and tlking to officers, basically showing them my intrest and show my ambition, getting my face knowin around the place....i now have contact with firearms officers they rescpet my ambition and send me emails reguarly ansering any questions i may have, i would recomend you do the same as you never know these officers coud help you in the future with selction.
thanks for your posts
i enjoyed them very helpful
,yer i think we personaly know when were ready 4 the job, i think the first 2 years would be crucial as you wil have 2 show your dedication and show your wiling to work hard, basiaclly jus tick the boxes they want ticking
i also have been goin to local police stations and tlking to officers, basically showing them my intrest and show my ambition, getting my face knowin around the place....i now have contact with firearms officers they rescpet my ambition and send me emails reguarly ansering any questions i may have, i would recomend you do the same as you never know these officers coud help you in the future with selction.
thanks for your posts
i enjoyed them very helpful
May be I'm getting old, and may be I'm being a bit pedantic (But, hey, it's what I get paid for...), but a couple of issues strike me from these most recent threads;
1. although you can apply for the firearms posts stright out of probation, it is unlikely to be successful as the grounding in general poicing is minimal, and
2. If you had to pay for this forum by the character, then I can appreciate it might be necessary to be economical with the letters used, but please, have a go at proper words; it'll be good practice and will help those who don't speak txt to understand what you are asking and be in a better position to help out.
1. although you can apply for the firearms posts stright out of probation, it is unlikely to be successful as the grounding in general poicing is minimal, and
2. If you had to pay for this forum by the character, then I can appreciate it might be necessary to be economical with the letters used, but please, have a go at proper words; it'll be good practice and will help those who don't speak txt to understand what you are asking and be in a better position to help out.
I understand you saying general policing in minimal and are unlikely to succeed first time round but it is not impossible, I respect your view and opinion but if you tick the boxes they want ticking, have knowledgeable experience, join the force with a degree, and pass the fitness tests with simplicity, I don’t see how anyone would knock you back as you have the characteristics they want in a firearms officer.
I also apologize for my use of words, using text language I am so used to typing in text language I just see it as a normal thing now, I will try and change my ways so you guys can help me in the future with any queries I have.
I also apologize for my use of words, using text language I am so used to typing in text language I just see it as a normal thing now, I will try and change my ways so you guys can help me in the future with any queries I have.
My comment about the txt was flippant; my comments about firearms training are not.
In many ways you are right. If you tick the boxes on the application form there should be no reason why you should not pass the rest of it, but it just doesn't work that way. I speak from 20 years as a police officer, 12 years as an AFO, in three different armed departments, now instructing.
You need a foundation in police work if you are to have any credibility on relief. You cannot buy experience, you cannot bluster though wisdom, you get it from being there and doing it. Those that try are soon found out and often move on.
I have made mention previously about the job; I still love it. Even in my mid forties I still get a buzz when the lights and horns go on. I would recommend it to anyone, but don't be in too much of a hurry to get there. Enjoy the journey. Get the grounding. Do the stuff coppers do, like death messages, domestics, burglary, car chases, demonstrations, pub fights, and you may even decide that you fancy doing something else. But above anything else, fill in the forms (and keep quiet about having a degree, the only person who cares is the Superintendent).
In many ways you are right. If you tick the boxes on the application form there should be no reason why you should not pass the rest of it, but it just doesn't work that way. I speak from 20 years as a police officer, 12 years as an AFO, in three different armed departments, now instructing.
You need a foundation in police work if you are to have any credibility on relief. You cannot buy experience, you cannot bluster though wisdom, you get it from being there and doing it. Those that try are soon found out and often move on.
I have made mention previously about the job; I still love it. Even in my mid forties I still get a buzz when the lights and horns go on. I would recommend it to anyone, but don't be in too much of a hurry to get there. Enjoy the journey. Get the grounding. Do the stuff coppers do, like death messages, domestics, burglary, car chases, demonstrations, pub fights, and you may even decide that you fancy doing something else. But above anything else, fill in the forms (and keep quiet about having a degree, the only person who cares is the Superintendent).
To be truthful your last post has made me realize a lot of things, such as the journey and doing the groundwork, gaining credibility and having valuable knowledge, these are all valuable experiences, and gives you a goal at the end,
What’s your opinion on university is it a waste of time going as it does not help with the firearms unit? I understand it is meeting different people and understanding there backgrounds and stuff but is it needed? Would it be worth jus joining the police and gaining knowledge and working up through the ranks until that chance comes to join the AFOs, I appreciate all your knowledge and experience you hold and any answer you give I am thankful.
What’s your opinion on university is it a waste of time going as it does not help with the firearms unit? I understand it is meeting different people and understanding there backgrounds and stuff but is it needed? Would it be worth jus joining the police and gaining knowledge and working up through the ranks until that chance comes to join the AFOs, I appreciate all your knowledge and experience you hold and any answer you give I am thankful.
Go to University; get an education, it'll stand you in good stead for the future, but don't expect any department to be knocking on your door. Even Special Branch doesn't really expect it's detectives to have degrees. SO15, as it is now, is probably the only place where a degree can be a benefit, but many there don't have further education, let alone higher! Some of them (those that were SO13, mainly) have trouble tying their laces, the result of too many liquid lunches, but that is a whole new thread!
Join the job, it's a great job and well paid, have a look at the variety of opportunities that are available to you, then decide. And when you have decided, work like F**k to get there, it'll mean more whne you get there.
(I'm a little worried I'm starting to sound like my Dad...)
Join the job, it's a great job and well paid, have a look at the variety of opportunities that are available to you, then decide. And when you have decided, work like F**k to get there, it'll mean more whne you get there.
(I'm a little worried I'm starting to sound like my Dad...)
Hahahaha your posts make me laugh, Yes I was actually thinking on dropping out of university and just joining the force as university is not really for me, as then I can work hard for the next few years why I am still young, I don’t really mind if it takes me ten years to get were I want to be, as you have said in the past it’s the experience that counts and working hard. I agree with everything you say as u are a experienced officer and do the job I eventually want to try and do, so I will apply your opinion to what I do, so if I hassle you with questions you can just tell me to shut up haha…but is there any things I can do to prepare for the police and the firearms unit?? Like I run the bleep test in a level of 13.5 but is there any other factors that may help??
Loved the video.....I don't know about 1993, it looked more like 1975 to me but then I really am getting old now. So old in fact that I too can remember when Clive Rew actually looked like that !
Ah the trusty model 10..........the angst during the changeover to the Glock........when's my turn?
I also remember TK but that's another story.......
On a seperate note, as my career draws to a close, I'd just like to say that the observations regarding SO15 (SO13/SB as was) are not as accurate now as they were. Most of the people I work with are young (too young?) and train most days. The detective of old is a rare sight in my experience.
Best wishes
TJIF
Ah the trusty model 10..........the angst during the changeover to the Glock........when's my turn?
I also remember TK but that's another story.......
On a seperate note, as my career draws to a close, I'd just like to say that the observations regarding SO15 (SO13/SB as was) are not as accurate now as they were. Most of the people I work with are young (too young?) and train most days. The detective of old is a rare sight in my experience.
Best wishes
TJIF
Jaymacca,
It might sound trite, but read The Trojan Files, by Roger Grey. It really does capture the spirit of the people on the cars, better than Steve's very good book. Can't exactly remember the title, something like Girl Guides wear Brown. I'm sure Mr Collins can help me out with that one...just kidding! His book is more about the work of the SFO's but again, nothing has really changed there. The names maybe, but the characters are the same. Keep physically fit. Keep up with the political climate by reading a good daily (spoil yourself with the News of the World at the weekend if you must). If you're preparing for an interview with the Job, you might read Pollice Review. It's a bit like Pravda, but more balanced than the internal publication for the Met, The Job. But most of all, just get amongst it. Danny Wallace wrote a book about his expolits when he said "Yes" to everything. Have a go at that and broaden your experience of life. Can't beat it and can't buy it. And if I can be of any help, just ask. Good luck
It might sound trite, but read The Trojan Files, by Roger Grey. It really does capture the spirit of the people on the cars, better than Steve's very good book. Can't exactly remember the title, something like Girl Guides wear Brown. I'm sure Mr Collins can help me out with that one...just kidding! His book is more about the work of the SFO's but again, nothing has really changed there. The names maybe, but the characters are the same. Keep physically fit. Keep up with the political climate by reading a good daily (spoil yourself with the News of the World at the weekend if you must). If you're preparing for an interview with the Job, you might read Pollice Review. It's a bit like Pravda, but more balanced than the internal publication for the Met, The Job. But most of all, just get amongst it. Danny Wallace wrote a book about his expolits when he said "Yes" to everything. Have a go at that and broaden your experience of life. Can't beat it and can't buy it. And if I can be of any help, just ask. Good luck
Hi steve! thnx for the video m8. i knew before that the training courses range from firepower demonstrations to even rappelling! now, we went to this army base in bury near manchester last week on thursday as part of our college "army day experience†and towards the end of the day they said we have to do the assault course. I did everything except abseiling! My dream was to do abseiling but when I actually got there, I couldn’t do it as im really really terrified of heights; and I started to get very upset becuz I knew one day I wanna (and probably have to) do it. Do you know what I could do to overcome my acrophobia? I sort of presumed you’ve done rappelling in CO19 in the past and I just want to know whether you think I could ever do it!
Cheers m8
Cheers m8
STORMRIDER
Full Registered User
A lot of good and sound advice here which will come in use for when you guys actually have the chance to apply for a firearms related role within the Police Force.
Im sorry if I sound out of turn here, but come on guys. You are talking in terms of actually being in the job before you have even looked at a new entrants application form. Some of your questions in here can really be answered by requesting a basic information and application pack from your local Police Force. If you guys are genuinly serious about joining the Police Force then please do not approach any joining interview on the basis that you want to carry a gun. They wont like that at all. Contact your force and arrange visit. Some forces will entertain you going in and shadowing the local bobby on patrol.
Also remember that the Met is not the only Police Force in the UK that has a firearms capability. Every Force has this capability and and nearly all have similar levels of capability. If you live in Scotland you dont have to join the Met to do this type of work. However, concentrate and make a real serious effort to get in in the first place.
I sincerely hope that all your wishes come true.
STU
Im sorry if I sound out of turn here, but come on guys. You are talking in terms of actually being in the job before you have even looked at a new entrants application form. Some of your questions in here can really be answered by requesting a basic information and application pack from your local Police Force. If you guys are genuinly serious about joining the Police Force then please do not approach any joining interview on the basis that you want to carry a gun. They wont like that at all. Contact your force and arrange visit. Some forces will entertain you going in and shadowing the local bobby on patrol.
Also remember that the Met is not the only Police Force in the UK that has a firearms capability. Every Force has this capability and and nearly all have similar levels of capability. If you live in Scotland you dont have to join the Met to do this type of work. However, concentrate and make a real serious effort to get in in the first place.
I sincerely hope that all your wishes come true.
STU
STU you do not sound out of turn,
Thanks for your post, I truly understand were you are coming from, and I know I am not even a police officer yet, but I am just asking questions about a profession in the police force. I have always wanted to take this route since I was a young boy.
I have been to local police stations and asked questions and requested an application pack and I have always been fobbed off or not received the answers to my questions but jus something just to get free of me, so I came onto this site and found many helpful people willing to answer any queries I have.
I hope to join my local police force Merseyside police and just work hard for many years before I even think of joining any specialized unit, as I have lived here all my life I would not consider moving away to any force but I understand also what you are saying about the Met, as many people see it as the only area to do armed response.
I have just recently applied for Merseyside police weather I am successful is another story. And recently went to a open day which helped me a lot, but I can understand what you mean about younger people attracted to the thought of having a gun , as a lad a similar age to me told one officer that he wanted to be a SFO. Cos he played call of duty (a video game) and watched a S.A.S video.... the officer didn’t seem too happy. (Do you blame him ha-ha)
But...
I don’t mean to sound like I am disagreeing with you, I respect your views and opinions and I am truly grateful for your post as it helps me a lot in understanding the job you guys do, thanks for your post and any advice you give me in future will be appreciated.
Jay
Thanks for your post, I truly understand were you are coming from, and I know I am not even a police officer yet, but I am just asking questions about a profession in the police force. I have always wanted to take this route since I was a young boy.
I have been to local police stations and asked questions and requested an application pack and I have always been fobbed off or not received the answers to my questions but jus something just to get free of me, so I came onto this site and found many helpful people willing to answer any queries I have.
I hope to join my local police force Merseyside police and just work hard for many years before I even think of joining any specialized unit, as I have lived here all my life I would not consider moving away to any force but I understand also what you are saying about the Met, as many people see it as the only area to do armed response.
I have just recently applied for Merseyside police weather I am successful is another story. And recently went to a open day which helped me a lot, but I can understand what you mean about younger people attracted to the thought of having a gun , as a lad a similar age to me told one officer that he wanted to be a SFO. Cos he played call of duty (a video game) and watched a S.A.S video.... the officer didn’t seem too happy. (Do you blame him ha-ha)
But...
I don’t mean to sound like I am disagreeing with you, I respect your views and opinions and I am truly grateful for your post as it helps me a lot in understanding the job you guys do, thanks for your post and any advice you give me in future will be appreciated.
Jay
Steve Collins
Longterm Registered User
Jaymacca.
So that was you??
Thanks
So that was you??
Thanks