Help with Joining PSNI

Fatony

Just on to ask a bit of advice about joining the PSNI.

I come from a Catholic area in a catholic town and I am on to ask some advice on joining the PSNI as a catholic. Im wondering in what way could this change my socail life and is there places i couldnt go. Will I have to move away from the area i grew up in?

I play in a band sometimes also in small gigs around ireland, would i have to give this up to?

Thanks in advance

EB1979

Hi Fatony,

My understanding is that PSNI are trying to recruit from all communities, therefore joining should not mean having to move. However, you know your community best, and you need to consider how people may react to your choice of career. If people are unlikely to be supportive of your choice, you need to consider how likely it is that you can restrict knowledge of your job to friends and family. When it comes to social life, we all need to be cautious regarding who we socialise with - there are already bars I avoid, and if I am successful with PSNI I will definitely continue to avoid them!

In terms of the band, many organisations do not allow employees to work in other jobs. Combined with potential security threats, you should probably seek more information/guidance from PSNI.

Fatony

I understand what you are saying about my area, I live in a quiet and private area of the town and don't think many people would care if they did find out. I haven't mentioned it to anyone except my partner, family and my best mate.

There is very few bars I would drink in and I am not a nightclub person so that rules all that out, Im a person for a quiet bar with a few pints.

As for the band issue, its not a paid band i play in its like sort of Jammin sessions I go to that are organised in different pubs all over ireland, very unformal.

Shield

Is there something in particular you want to know?

Fatony

when i am not working when employed by the PSNI can I go and do what I want at my own risk or is it a case of NO i cant go there, cant go there etc??

Shield

If you knew through your job that Bob The Builder, the man who wants to kill police officers, hangs out in Timbuktu, would you frequent Timbuktu? Ever?

Fatony

I understand, good way of putting it..

Also I was wondering of the people that are in the PSNI how far do you travel to work?

Shield

It can vary from person to person. Most people I know travel between 20-30 minutes each way.

Fatony

At the minute I am still thinking over my choice. I would really love to see Northern Irelands people supporting the psni. I think the more Catholics in the force could help a little towards this, maybe not much but every little helps.

The big thing that annoys me is the fact that all these people who cause grief and hassle to the police service will still ring them if there house is robbed or they need help, I dont get the whole way they think??

Shield

Me neither!

Fatony

Yeah it really is a stange one. I think the next time there is a recruitment i will apply and decide from there.A good friend joined 2 years back and told me its the best decision he ever made and If its hat i want to do then go for it!

What is it like to get into the Traffic Branch or Drug Squad after your probation period is up.

Shield

A lot can depend on how good you are, which they will assess by how you did while on probation. Shine in your probation and you'll make yourself desirable.

For now, worry about preparing yourself to take the Initial Selection Test next year, which a lot of people fail.

Fatony

Have you any tips on preparing myself for the Initial Test?
At the minute I am out running and training 4-5 days a week to get myself into tip top condition for the physical side to things.

Thanks for all the help by the way! Muchly appreciated

Bifbert

Fatony wrote: »

Have you any tips on preparing myself for the Initial Test?
At the minute I am out running and training 4-5 days a week to get myself into tip top condition for the physical side to things.

Thanks for all the help by the way! Muchly appreciated

I can't really say how to prepare for the IST as that would not be fair. There is a practice test on the psni website and from those questions you can sort of go out into the big wild web which is the internet and find loads of books and tests to help you prepare.....hope that helps. I also have been out running and training which is great but it means nothing if you dont pass the IST and IT IS TRICKY!!! Good luck if you decide to apply for next years recruitment.

Fatony

I understand, i looked at that test on the psni website. Thanks