PSNI Recruitment (Archived)

goodcopbadcop · 19-04-2008 06:09PM

Any of the books you buy are written for english/ welsh forces.

The assessment centre for the Psni will not have any personal questions, or questions relating to yourself. They will be problems to do with the role you are in, and you must come up with the solution.

All parts of the assessment centre are based around this role you are given on the day.

PapaYankeeGirl · 20-04-2008 07:58PM

Hey,

:)GOOD LUCK:) to anyone else who is doing their initial test tomorrow. Hope i do ok!

MrsGeneHunt · 20-04-2008 08:18PM

Good luck papayankeegirl - guess you must be one of the first ones to do thes IST for C14 - let us know how you get on:)

doug-26 · 20-04-2008 08:32PM

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

Hey,

:)GOOD LUCK:) to anyone else who is doing their initial test tomorrow. Hope i do ok!

Good luck papayankeegirl!! Let us know how you got on!

PapaYankeeGirl · 20-04-2008 09:50PM

Thanks Mrs GeneHunt and Doug.

Il let u all know how it goes later on tomorrow when im back home. Off to bed for an early night.

Ultravid · 20-04-2008 10:17PM

Can you or anyone else tell me a bit about the medical aspect of assessment? I want to know how it works - eg. Do the psni have their own doctors, or do you go to your own doctor, do they rake up your medical records and do you have to declare all conditions past or present?

goodcopbadcop · 20-04-2008 10:24PM

Ultravid wrote: »

Can you or anyone else tell me a bit about the medical aspect of assessment? I want to know how it works - eg. Do the psni have their own doctors, or do you go to your own doctor, do they rake up your medical records and do you have to declare all conditions past or present?

You will be sent out a medical questionaire. You complete this as honestly and as accurately as you can.

It is basically about 50 yes/no questions relating to any illness or medical conditions you may have had. You then get to expand on any of the conditions you have had, and you list things like the duration of the injury, any treatment given and how long it took to recover etc

You then bring this to your GP who will sign it once he has been reviewed your file and agrees with what you have said in your part of the questionaire. This is to make sure that you have not forgot to mention a previous illness (or perhaps chosen not to). He then answers some questions regarding your state of health. He then will look at your records and attach any letters for hospital appointments, or whatever form of proof he has that you have had treatment.
This is important as failing to bring enough information can lead to a delay in your application.

You bring this document to the medical including all relevant additional information.This is all to help the medical team on the day of the medical so they can assess you as quickly and as fully as possible.

On the day they do a series of standard medical checks; Hearing, BMI, Blood pressure, Flexibility, eye sight etc. The medical is not carried out by PSNI staff as such, but medical staff from Occupational health, who then forward your results to the PSNI.

Once you do all these the medical is over and you recieve your results in the post shortly after.

Hope this helps.

Ultravid · 20-04-2008 10:33PM

goodcopbadcop wrote: »

You will be sent out a medical questionaire. You complete this as honestly and as accurately as you can.

It is basically about 50 yes/no questions relating to any illness or medical conditions you may have had. You then get to expand on any of the conditions you have had, and you list things like the duration of the injury, any treatment given and how long it took to recover etc

You then bring this to your GP who will sign it, and answer some questions regarding your state of health. He then will look at your records and attach any letters for hospital appointments, or whatever form of proof he has that you have had treatment.
This is important as failing to bring enough information can lead to a delay in your application.

You bring this document to the medical including all relevant additional information.This is all to help the medical team on the day of the medical so they can assess you as quickly and as fully as possible.

On the day they do a series of standard medical checks; Hearing, BMI, Blood pressure, Flexibility, eye sight etc. The medical is not carried out by PSNI staff as such, but medical staff from Occupational health, who then forward your results to the PSNI.

Once you do all these the medical is over and you recieve your results in the post shortly after.

Hope this helps.

Thanks that is useful. Now I will be more specific!

I have obsessive compulsive disorder. I am on a waiting list to see a therapist. I have had OCD for over ten years and seen professionals about it in the past, and been on medication, though not at present for about 2 years.

Bearing in mind I have this condition, and it is still troublesome enough to warrant me to see a therapist, am I wasting my time applying to the PSNI? I have a test date in May. This condition does not go away overnight and I imagine it will be with me for life.

If I am quite honest, I would probably reject ME if I was screening for the police, knowing what I know. Does it depend what sort of a gloss you put over it and what your doctor says? I imagine many doctors (GPs) might give an applicant the benefit of the doubt, realising that they want the job and not wanting to spoil it, yet the police also want to recruit folks who will be able for all that the job entails. Who, at the end of the day, makes the final decision?

goodcopbadcop · 20-04-2008 11:06PM

I'm no expert on OCD or how it can affect peoples lives. If you have been to the doctor for years with it, and still need to see him about it then he should know exactly how much of a problem it would be.

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/officers/Medical_59-2004.pdf

This file shows the medical standards required, and says OCD is Likely to require further information, investigation and assessment.

In my mind this means each individual case is looked at, and depending on how much this condition affects your life, they will decide if you are suitable.

Perhaps a good idea would be to talk to your GP about it now and see what he thinks. If you know yourself it would not affect your work as an officer then you should try your hardest for the job, but if you know certain elements of the line of work you will be in may cause you to be upset or not having your mind fully on the job, then perhaps it isn't the right job for you, as it is a stressful job and requires a tough, flexible personality.

At the end of the day it is the medical staff who will decide, all your doctor can do is provide detail of the condition and what you have done to treat it. If you know yourself its a small problem, I think your GP could back this up, but from your post it seems to be a serious part of your life and one which isn't going to go away.

Just my opinion, but i think you should see your GP. All the best anyway if you do go for it.

Ultravid · 20-04-2008 11:24PM

goodcopbadcop wrote: »

I'm no expert on OCD or how it can affect peoples lives. If you have been to the doctor for years with it, and still need to see him about it then he should know exactly how much of a problem it would be.

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/officers/Medical_59-2004.pdf

This file shows the medical standards required, and says OCD is Likely to require further information, investigation and assessment.

In my mind this means each individual case is looked at, and depending on how much this condition affects your life, they will decide if you are suitable.

Perhaps a good idea would be to talk to your GP about it now and see what he thinks. If you know yourself it would not affect your work as an officer then you should try your hardest for the job, but if you know certain elements of the line of work you will be in may cause you to be upset or not having your mind fully on the job, then perhaps it isn't the right job for you, as it is a stressful job and requires a tough, flexible personality.

At the end of the day it is the medical staff who will decide, all your doctor can do is provide detail of the condition and what you have done to treat it. If you know yourself its a small problem, I think your GP could back this up, but from your post it seems to be a serious part of your life and one which isn't going to go away.

Just my opinion, but i think you should see your GP. All the best anyway if you do go for it.

I have talked to my GP about it, he thinks I would make a good cop, but that is by-the-by. The point is, I believe my OCD would affect my work - police work would exacerbate it, I know this for a fact. So I might have many of the qualities for a good police officer, but with one substantial flaw.

I guess we could all walk across broken glass every morning, bandage up the wounds at the end of the day, but would you want to? This is a good illustration to how I expect police work would be for me. I could do it, but the cost in terms of mental health could be quite high, and unsustainable in the long-term. I'd hope the police medical team would pick this up, or do I have to tell them?

In short, I am most undecided, yet part of me thinks I have as good a chance as anyone else... maybe not!

goodcopbadcop · 20-04-2008 11:29PM

It could be possible to get into the job, if the condition wasn't highlighted to the medical staff in full. From what you are saying, your condition would make the job very difficult for you. Policing is a serious job and if one person is constantly having trouble with their own issues how can they be expected to understand and help others.

If you know the job will make you worse, and cause alot of stress and worry, then it sounds like its not for you. Your own well being is the most important thing, and you should not sacrafice it for anyone or anything.

Ultravid · 21-04-2008 01:25AM

goodcopbadcop wrote: »

It could be possible to get into the job, if the condition wasn't highlighted to the medical staff in full. From what you are saying, your condition would make the job very difficult for you. Policing is a serious job and if one person is constantly having trouble with their own issues how can they be expected to understand and help others.

If you know the job will make you worse, and cause alot of stress and worry, then it sounds like its not for you. Your own well being is the most important thing, and you should not sacrafice it for anyone or anything.

What about the fact that I'd be seeing somebody (a cognitive behavioural therapist) at the same time as the police medics would be seeing me? I'm guessing that wouldn't look too good, especially, given, I'm assuming, your GP would have to give an account of your current medical state, which would include all current treatment.

The thing is, I've dreamed of this job since I was a kid. My dad was in what was the RUC, and it seems unfortunate that a condition such as this should have such power over my life, to dictate what jobs I can and can't do.

PS Thanks for your kind wishes.

JVB · 21-04-2008 07:53AM

Hi there.
I've read your posts and understand your concerns. I have a family member who suffers from OCD. It haunts him daily and I KNOW he couldn't be a police officer. He had sessions with a cognitive behavioural therapist but his type of OCD was so severe that he didn't benefit from it. He did understand his condition more, which led him to accept some of the symptoms and traits.
First and foremost, you need to decide if it's a career you could seriously undertake. As Goodcopbadcop has said, you need to put your mental health first. However, you aren't commiting to anything by applying to PSNI. So, why not continue with your application and if you reach medical; speak with the Occupational Health team. You have to be honest about how you feel though, because if you deceive anyone, it will be yourself.

Good luck. Let me know if you need anymore help/advice.

JVB

MrsGeneHunt · 21-04-2008 08:59AM

Sorry to hear about your condition, I dont personally know anyone that suffers from it but I have watched numerous documentaries and read up on it so I have some idea of what you suffer. Like JVB says, certainly continue with your application, but if your gut feeling says that your condition would prevent you doing your job a 110% then I think you already know the answer. There are more aspects to police work than actually being a police officer, why not investigate careers in these areas, like forensics or similar?
As my grandma used to say, whats for you will not go by you!
( I'm certainly hoping this is the case - have IST this week, yee-ikes!:eek:)
Best of luck whatever the outcome:) There will always be support for you here.

Monkeymagic824 · 21-04-2008 12:57PM

Anyone else had news of the may intake??

wonder if its full yet!!!

PapaYankeeGirl · 21-04-2008 03:36PM

Well, thats me just in the door from doing my initial test. All the questions were exactly the same as last year, and I mean exactly the same. If I fail by more than last time i'll be rippin!!! Though I did get them all finished this time and time wasnt as much of a prob. Results to be posted within 20 working days of today. Fingers crossed:)

MrsGeneHunt · 21-04-2008 04:45PM

Cant believe the questions are exactly the same!!!! Hope you passed anyway! Just the two parts this time round is that right - how long for each part if you dont mnd me asking?

Bet you're relieved its over tho - wee glass of wine tonight then?:p

I'm still nervous though, cant wait til its all over - then just have to wait on the results - eek!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

pmk · 21-04-2008 05:09PM

Have been here for a while just never registered or posted before. Passed it all last year and i am currently on the merit list awaiting my vetting. Went for my ist today as well, and as PapaYankeeGirl said it was the same test that i done last year, minus the car reg details. For the initial true/false you have 20minutes, and for the information test you get 25minutes. The only thing i would advise to anyone who hasnt done the test before is to take a watch with you and keep a check on the time.

goodcopbadcop · 21-04-2008 05:11PM

Went for my IST today as well. Really found the section B tough, the time really does go quick. My mind kept wondering. Still in campaign 13... medical next week so fingers crossed wont need to go through it all again!

MrsGeneHunt · 21-04-2008 05:22PM

Arent you just a little miffed that you are now in the new campaign without resolution to the previous one???!!!
Anyway, hope all went well for you and I really hope you dont have to go thru this all again - intakes in May, July and beyond - all not lost?!

I hope I get thru the IST,and the AC but not looking forward to all the waiting!!!!

You must all be going doolally

Without being too personal, and you dont have to answer, what roughly is your merit number? I'm thinking that realistically for me to suceed at this campaign need to be in top 220. Thats some going IMHO!!!!!!!!!
(FYI - female,35, non RC background)

PapaYankeeGirl · 21-04-2008 05:25PM

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

Cant believe the questions are exactly the same!!!! Hope you passed anyway! Just the two parts this time round is that right - how long for each part if you dont mnd me asking?

Bet you're relieved its over tho - wee glass of wine tonight then?:p

I'm still nervous though, cant wait til its all over - then just have to wait on the results - eek!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

Yeah just the 2 parts, it was 20mins for part A(48 questions) and 25mins for part B(30 questions). Very very tight timing, if you cant answer a question within a few seconds of reading it, take a guess and move on or you will never get finished. If you know your running out of timing just pick an answer for each remaining question. Best to put something down, 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 chance it will be right. They dont take marks off for wrong answers.

When is yours?

goodcopbadcop · 21-04-2008 05:25PM

MrsGeneHunt wrote: »

Arent you just a little miffed that you are now in the new campaign without resolution to the previous one???!!!
Anyway, hope all wen well for you and I really hope you dont have to go thru this all again - intakes in May, July and beyond - all not lost?!

I hope I get thru the IST,and the AC but not looking forward to all the waiting!!!!

You must all be going doolally

Without being too personal, and you dont have to answer, what roughly is your merit number? I'm thinking that realistically for me to suceed at this campaign need to be in top 220. Thats some going IMHO!!!!!!!!!
(FYI - female,35, non RC background)

It is a bit frustrating still not knowing the outcome of the last campaign, but at one stage I was sure I was out of it and then I ended up getting vetting and now a medical next week, so it all turned around.

With the intakes yet to come im actually feeling like im in a good position right now for being given training, as long as medical etc come back good.

merit number was 800's, RC background.

Im still hanging in there, so keeping the chin up!

PapaYankeeGirl · 21-04-2008 05:30PM

Yeah part B is tough, more hard questions than easy ones, unfortunately!!!!!!. I must admit I guessed a few. Some were slightly dodgey in part A too.

Hope everyone does well (including me), I feel more confident about it this time round because I completed them all, though I wont hold my breath.

P.S the practice questions were the same too but i still couldnt get the right answer for the maths 1 even though i did it last year. :eek:

I wonder if any of you lot were in the same test as me??????:)

Ultravid · 21-04-2008 05:36PM

Thanks people.

I think I will do the test anyway, but by the sounds of it, it's pretty tough! No harm in trying though!

pmk · 21-04-2008 05:45PM

@ MrsGeneHunt, Yeah it is quite annoying, My merit number is mid 200, male,27,non rc background

PapaYankeeGirl · 21-04-2008 05:51PM

Ultravid wrote: »

Thanks people.

I think I will do the test anyway, but by the sounds of it, it's pretty tough! No harm in trying though!

Gosh definately do the test, you'd be silly not to. Yeah some questions are hard but some are ok. You'll do fine! Just dont waste time, if you dont know an answer dont dwell pick a random answer and move on.

Good luck:)

pmk · 21-04-2008 05:54PM

@ PapaYankeeGirl Judging from your time that you posted earlier, i'd say you were in the 2pm test as was I:)

PapaYankeeGirl · 21-04-2008 06:03PM

pmk wrote: »

@ PapaYankeeGirl Judging from your time that you posted earlier, i'd say you were in the 2pm test as was I:)

Yes indeedy i was there. I was the girl with the cream stripey cardigan on.

Ultravid · 21-04-2008 06:35PM

Does anyone know how many verbal reasoning passages there are to contend with?

I apologise in advance if this question violates the terms of use!

PapaYankeeGirl · 21-04-2008 06:42PM

Ultravid wrote: »

Does anyone know how many verbal reasoning passages there are to contend with?

I apologise in advance if this question violates the terms of use!

Is that the true, false, cant tell part????? If so there are 48 questions so there must have been 12 different passages as each had 4 questions.

Im also sorry if this breaks T's and C's

PSNI Recruitment (Archived)

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