Young guy looking some advice..

slimmboyfat

Hey guys,
It has has been a dream for me to become a police officer. At the age of 17..18 next month im seriously thinking about possibly trying out in the new campaign.

My major worry is my age. At my age people are thinking about uni and stuff where as I am thinking about the force. I know that i will probaly loose most of my friends over this if i am lucky enough to get selected, but will my age play a major role in selection.

Also i am quite unsure what to write in the 105 word statement .... does any one have any tips.

Many Thanks ....

0607

I was 17 when I first applied in 2003.

Life experience helps the older applicants, not only with testing but gives more confidence in the job itself.

If you have a good head on your shoulders, And as long as you can pass the tests and show you meet the requirements, there is no reason why you cannot do the job as well as anyone else. However, looking back when I was 18, there was no way I was ready to take on the role of a Police Officer, with all that responsibility and commitment etc...its a huge undertaking. Think about it carefully.

I would'nt worry too much about the 105 word thing. Ive read a few people talking about it here... its really quite irrelevant.

Just write something short and truthful, and dont go over the max limit.

Go for it. If you are dead certain it is what you want to do and you've thought it all through there's no point holding back. I always wanted to be in the PSNI but for some reason I held off applying for a few years after I turned 18 and I really wished I hadn't. Being realistic, it may take a few years to get in, unless your one of the really lucky ones who get it first time, (oh what I would give to be one of those!) So I would say don't put it off, so long as you know its what you want and you're prepared for the implications if you were to get in, go for it, don't let anyone tell you age is a barrier...

unistudent2009

Just go for it because you have nothing to lose.

There is months of waiting before they would offer you a job if successful. In this time you can decide if its what you really want. If it isnt your not obligated to do anything and you can withdraw!

Good luck if you do apply!

slimmboyfat

I heard that beacuse im onli turing 18 they ont even consider my application because of such a young age... is this true

beca

slimmboyfat wrote: »

I heard that beacuse im onli turing 18 they ont even consider my application because of such a young age... is this true

nope. this year the deadline is july (check the website for exact date) for turning 18 so as long as your are 18 before then, you can still apply at 17

slimmboyfat

Thanks Becca... hope you got my email?

beca

slimmboyfat wrote: »

Thanks Becca... hope you got my email?

just found you in my junk folder! :-s

slimmboyfat

Ill look forward to your reply!!!

puddie77

Good for you and good luck to you, that was a dream of mine when i was your age but then i got caught up in work etc. and 15 years and 3 kids later i'm finally following my dream, as for your friends if you lose them because your becoming a police officer well then are they really true friends, i'm sure you'll meet the best of people in the psni anyway so your going to find yourself with a whole new bunch of friends. Best of luck to you.

Agito

I'm 19 myself, and I think I can do the same amount of work as anyone else. So can you. Don't let your age hold you back.

I think having extra skills that are not usually required would give you an advantage. Knowing several languages, technical skills. I can fully speak and understand 2 languages, know a little bit of Russian (well at least I can tell what people are talking about when I listen) and slight amount of Japanese, since I've spent a lot of time with a Japanese twins. Anything like this will make your age disappear off the paper. Of course don't let me intimidate you, anything works, you don't need to be multilingual. lol

And like puddie77 said, real friends will not abandon you in any case and any person working in PSNI will probably prove to be an excellent companion!

Wish you best of luck in the IST, I personally can't wait to do it!

swl33t

Im new on here so hello! Im also 19, at university doing a degree and ive applied, got my ist next month, i wanted to know about the whole deferral thing, as I would prefer to get my degree finished up first. any help would be lovely

Shield

You can't defer for years I'm afraid. A few months at the most is all they can allow.

0607

Out of interest, how long have you left on the degree ?

swl33t

ah right right do you think it would be worthwhile to go through the process anyway to get an idea of whats going on? and 2 years left, was considering dropping out as police is my end goal regardless but thought things through a bit more now and realised I may aswell finish it.

0607

swl33t wrote: »

ah right right do you think it would be worthwhile to go through the process anyway to get an idea of whats going on? and 2 years left, was considering dropping out as police is my end goal regardless but thought things through a bit more now and realised I may aswell finish it.

2 years though, what gave you the impression they'd do something like that? I dont mean to sound cruel...this is a competition after all, with 10k + applicants.
And they simply dont value people that much Im afraid...

grad10

swl33t wrote: »

ah right right do you think it would be worthwhile to go through the process anyway to get an idea of whats going on? and 2 years left, was considering dropping out as police is my end goal regardless but thought things through a bit more now and realised I may aswell finish it.

I would definately recommend applying anyway. Although the longest you can defer is a few months, gaining an understanding of the recruitment process will be an advantage. Not many people get in first time anyway but if you are one of the lucky ones and get offered a place on your first try, well then you can cross that bridge when it comes to it, and decide whether to leave university or not. (If you decide to turn down your place because you wish to stay on at university there is no problem in re-applying later on in life, but you will have to go through whole recruitment process from the start, and will not be guaranteed a place at the end of it - may end up trying several more times.)

I started uni in 06, shortly after this time I realised I wanted to join the police, however I decided not to apply until nearer my graduation. I applied for the first time last March, this year is my second go. I graduate this June. I regret not going through the recruitment process sooner. And if I had have done and got offered a place while still at university I would have dropped out.

Yes after 4 years of hard work it will be good to have a degree under my belt, but it will be of no use to me in the police. Just means I'll be paying hundred's of pounds back a month on my student loan!

So if you are sure it's the job for you, start applying now, you have nothing to lose

Rob-117

I'm gonna advise not going for it for a few years, I wanted to join when I was 18 and I'm so glad I just dossed about for 4 years. This job drains you, the shifts will cripple your social life

You really don't wanna start your career right now, enjoy the years 18-22 relax, hang out with your, go home at night and not worry about something that you haven't done/need to do, binge drink, have un-protected sex with multiple partners, stay up all night playing pro evo or call of duty.

I've been in the job about a year now and I don't get to do most of those things anymore. Again you're just turning 18, ask yourself this question, do you want you're friday night to consist of having a few drinks with friends, going out with your partner or being outside in the freezing cold getting called a c*** by every drunk person in the street or the standing at a car crash staring at a couple of dead 18 year olds

BoutYe

Rob-117 wrote: »

I'm gonna advise not going for it for a few years, I wanted to join when I was 18 and I'm so glad I just dossed about for 4 years. This job drains you, the shifts will cripple your social life

You really don't wanna start your career right now, enjoy the years 18-22 relax, hang out with your, go home at night and not worry about something that you haven't done/need to do, binge drink, have un-protected sex with multiple partners, stay up all night playing pro evo or call of duty.

I've been in the job about a year now and I don't get to do most of those things anymore. Again you're just turning 18, ask yourself this question, do you want you're friday night to consist of having a few drinks with friends, going out with your partner or being outside in the freezing cold getting called a c*** by every drunk person in the street or the standing at a car crash staring at a couple of dead 18 year olds

What are you talking about! I hear yous do nothing in your station Infact I hear people get to play MORE COD!!

princess deity

Rob-117 wrote: »

I'm gonna advise not going for it for a few years, I wanted to join when I was 18 and I'm so glad I just dossed about for 4 years. This job drains you, the shifts will cripple your social life

You really don't wanna start your career right now, enjoy the years 18-22 relax, hang out with your, go home at night and not worry about something that you haven't done/need to do, binge drink, have un-protected sex with multiple partners, stay up all night playing pro evo or call of duty.

I've been in the job about a year now and I don't get to do most of those things anymore. Again you're just turning 18, ask yourself this question, do you want you're friday night to consist of having a few drinks with friends, going out with your partner or being outside in the freezing cold getting called a c*** by every drunk person in the street or the standing at a car crash staring at a couple of dead 18 year olds

well some people are alot more mature then others and some people are alot more suitable for this kind of job at an earlier age, not everyone has the mentality or ability to Doss!
Some people joining the job only see the smaller picture for example blue light runs and the power that comes with being a police officer etc.... unfortunately some people seem to forget that just because you put on a police officers uniform that you automatically get respect, respect has to be earned in this job and not abused. Some people don't fully think about the job before they join but im sure most of the people that have applied to join the job have a good idea of what it entails and know that there are many tough nights of abuse, horrendous scenes, difficult situations to deal with and stacks of paper work to keep on top of. It's important for people to realise that 9-5 monday to friday life and every weekend off are a luxury of the past and that only cause your roster says you finish at a particular time doesnt mean you will, shifts can go from 8hrs, 12hrs+ if you are required to stay on you have to stay on.
As for being too young, i wouldnt be worried about that, your not alone. If your a mature, professional, motivated individual who is willing to be accountable for your actions and who is prepared to be a responsible young adult then you will go far, there is nothing stopping you.
Listen there are disgruntled people in every job, only you can make the decision whether or not your prepared to go into such a demanding but highly rewarding (at times) job. Think long, think hard and hopefully what ever you decide it will be the best decision for YOU
Good luck

swl33t

some good advice there men thanks, did pretty well in my exams there so ive decided to just finish the degree now that its started and apply in my final year and hope for the best! Just out of curiosity, what is the shift pattern like in the police?