Joining the PSNI

kickthedog

Would you do it? Have you applied? I'm thinking of doing it but my family don't want me to because they think I'll have the crap kicked out of me(more than you normally would in a job like that) because I'm from southern Ireland). What do you think?

Civilian_Target

I think you should find it easier to get into, but it'll be a bit of a culture shock, because the police are hated by most communities in the North. Unlike the amicable Garda officer, few people are ever going to talk to you or ask directions...

stevemac

yeah, from what i've being told PSNI officers go to work in plaincothes and only getinto there uniforms in work so that there neighbours don't know what they do, for security reasons.

motrocco

a friend of a friend is in it.

He travels nearly 80 miles a day to and from work cause he likes where he lives.
He does reckon tho that when the neiighbours find out he'll have to move house.
He always goes away on his weekends off, South, incase he should meet customers from work. He sounds pretty lonely being honest.

Upside:- Pay seemingly is good but you need to have a neck on you.

Downside:- Police is usually a hard job, it'll be harder in the North son...
mo

mikemac

I passed the aptitude test in Jurys, Ballsbridge back in September. Was supposed to attend an assesment day but never went

Seems to be much better pay than the gardai. You start on a full salary instead of the small allowance that trainees in Templemore get

But then, it could be dangerous so I suppose you earn your money.

To OP,I've books on UK police forces and passing the aptitude test and different selection process. If you're interested, PM me.

Sgt Slaughter

Its something ive thought of. Im not aplpying in this in take, want to see how other things in my life pan out over the next few months. The PSNI recruit again in September, so ill see what the situation is then. Chances of getting in for a Southern Catholic are pretty good, and the other plus side is not as much time spent in training college and the moneys better and there armed up North

woody

I myself am considering it as to be honest the Police here are intially badly paid, incorrectly equipped, unprofessionally by far and this force from my point of view being a non-catholic is extremely sectarian.

I have several friends from both sides of the divide and one ex-garda in the PSNI and has said by far the New Police Force is more professional,better paid and more in tune with reality compared to Garda Redneck (Civil servant mentality) Bogger.

I did the previous tests but pulled out at the last minute in 2002 due to a bereavement in the family..But as I have Nine Years of Previous military service in two armies I think it is time for a real and secue job, yes it does have it risks but so does mine as I drive 1000's of miles a week and that is also risky.

So I would advise anyone to join up and stay away from the Gardai until they get there act together and clean it up as the corruption and attitude is wrong in about 90% of the current force...The RUC now PSNI cleaned up their act and are again one of the best police forces in the EU.

woody

micmclo wrote:

I passed the aptitude test in Jurys, Ballsbridge back in September. Was supposed to attend an assesment day but never went

Seems to be much better pay than the gardai. You start on a full salary instead of the small allowance that trainees in Templemore get

But then, it could be dangerous so I suppose you earn your money.

To OP,I've books on UK police forces and passing the aptitude test and different selection process. If you're interested, PM me.

I have found from doing the tests for the London Met to be a lot different say to the PSNI afaik there is slightly different tests in different forces in the UK

ghostdancer

woody wrote:

So I would advise anyone to join up and stay away from the Gardai until they get there act together and clean it up as the corruption and attitude is wrong in about 90% of the current force...The RUC now PSNI cleaned up their act and are again one of the best police forces in the EU.

lol, good one!

RUC/PSNI (a name change doesn't change the force) has a by far more backward old fashioned mentality than the Gardai, as hard as that is. at least the Gardai generally don't discriminate against people because of their political persuasion, or the area they live.

woody

ghostdancer wrote:

lol, good one!

RUC/PSNI (a name change doesn't change the force) has a by far more backward old fashioned mentality than the Gardai, as hard as that is. at least the Gardai generally don't discriminate against people because of their political persuasion, or the area they live.

LOL, have a good look at the history of the Gardai it is a predominantly catholic force which is exceptionally secetarian as no doubt the RUC was...

They do discriminate against people from different areas and political persuasion...

Also I have served in Northern Ireland with the Old RUC and also here with the Gardai and the later are unprofessional,ignorant and down right corrupt...No doubt the PSNI has a few boggies but the newer force is again the creme de la creme of EU Police forces for both detection and solving of crimes and professional policing and a lot of the older RUC members are fewer and fewer

TempestSabre

Neither force has shining record IMO.

woody

Just Reapplied the recruitment campaign is back on :

http://www.selectnip.org/default.asp

el tel

I think the decision about joining the PSNI should not be taken lightly for a citizen of the Republic of Ireland. What Civilian_Target says must be borne in mind. You'll be caught between a rock and a hard place.

In it's most simplistic, you'll be moving to the North and unless you have good money in the bank already the wage you'll be earning will only be suifficient to let you live in an area that is either strictly nationalist or unionist, and mostly likely towards the lower end of the scale. As a cop you would absolutely not be welcome in a nationalist area. As an Irishman (assumed Catholic) you'd be advised to keep your head low in a staunchly unionist area. And that just concerns where you go home to. And what about socialising - I'd say that is even more fraught.

The job may sound attractive but the reality gives rise to many more issues
which would be heightened by non-familiarity of the territory.

djmarkus

I would if i was assured that i was going to work in fermanagh, tyrone, or armagh(to an extent). Those counties are the ones that would be closest to peace, i've spent alot of time in those counties and people seem to just get on with it.