PSNI General INFO

FudgeBrock · 29-03-2009 04:50PM #1

Hey guys and gals, thought it was about time to create a thread so people could ask general questions about PSNI recruitment and hopefully get some good answers. While there are other PSNI recruitment threads that deal with certain stages of the recruitment process this thread is for any questions which dont fall into these areas. Hope it's usefull. Good luck!!

smyff · 29-03-2009 05:51PM

FudgeBrock wrote: »

Hope it's usefull. Good luck!!

hopefully it isnt usefull. i hope it is useful though :P

1979SD · 30-03-2009 08:01AM

ok, i've a couple of question that have been asked before - but i don't think have really been answered, so here goes...................
Could anyone give us a few examples of current shift patterns, from what i gather there 8 hour shifts - but what are the patterns? 2 on 2 off, 4 on 2 off? any clues would help - TSG as you are serving maybe you could drop some usefull info in.
Secondly, does anyone know where an upto date list on specialisation can be find, ie what options do we have after we've completed 2 years of service? have scoured the net but can'd find a full list anywhere.
And lastly, are we allowed to do overtime in our first 2 years? Or are we glued to a mentor constable and only allowed out when we're with a grown up!?

Lots of questions i know, but i think answers will be appreciated by lots of us.

Cheers
1979sd

TSG 15 · 30-03-2009 11:32AM

1979SD wrote: »

ok, i've a couple of question that have been asked before - but i don't think have really been answered, so here goes...................
Could anyone give us a few examples of current shift patterns, from what i gather there 8 hour shifts - but what are the patterns? 2 on 2 off, 4 on 2 off? any clues would help - TSG as you are serving maybe you could drop some usefull info in.
Secondly, does anyone know where an upto date list on specialisation can be find, ie what options do we have after we've completed 2 years of service? have scoured the net but can'd find a full list anywhere.
And lastly, are we allowed to do overtime in our first 2 years? Or are we glued to a mentor constable and only allowed out when we're with a grown up!?

Cheers
1979sd

I would have answered this on the general thread anyway, however, Firstly, serving Officers are very limited in what we can say on this and detailing a shift pattern would identify movements at Stations etc.Sorry. Anyway lots of changes have been made to shifts in the last few years and it could very well change again soon.

I it will be nearer 2 and a half years before you can go for a specialist post because the clock starts ticking after GV, not from when you start.
I dont believe there is a list of specialist posts as such but we pretty much have the same ones as any other uk force.
You can be asked to work overtime from the moment you go to your Station, if required.
After tutorship you will still be under supervision but pertty much up and running if you show the ability. Not everyone is the same and some people take longer to grasp things and are supervised according to their ability level.

punchestown · 30-03-2009 12:24PM

How much say do you have as to where you are stationed? Is it zero or do you put down a preference of three and hope to be accomadated or is it free pick as to the one you want!

Thanks

TSG 15 · 30-03-2009 12:36PM

punchestown wrote: »

How much say do you have as to where you are stationed? Is it zero or do you put down a preference of three and hope to be accomadated or is it free pick as to the one you want!

Thanks

A little flexibility on that 1 but not much, you pretty much go where manpower needs are. You can put forward a case if there is a genuine reason why you cant work in a particular area.

nickni · 30-03-2009 12:57PM

Just wandering about the driving side of things, is everybody allowed to drive the tangis and vans, etc or do we do extra training/licences to drive these?

TSG 15 · 30-03-2009 01:37PM

nickni wrote: »

Just wandering about the driving side of things, is everybody allowed to drive the tangis and vans, etc or do we do extra training/licences to drive these?

Wont say on here who gets to drive what exactly but if you hold a driving licence you will get on the driving course automatically. Groups on the licence will dictate what you can drive....... you wont be disappointed

smyff · 30-03-2009 04:52PM

TSG 15 wrote: »

Wont say on here who gets to drive what exactly but if you hold a driving licence you will get on the driving course automatically. Groups on the licence will dictate what you can drive....... you wont be disappointed

if i do get in, ill be off my r plates. oooooooooh **** i would love to be a driver. i love it

nickni · 30-03-2009 05:51PM

smyff wrote: »

if i do get in, ill be off my r plates. oooooooooh **** i would love to be a driver. i love it

I love driving too mate, would drive all day if i could. Wonder if the tutor constables will let the newbies drive

:D

Shield · 30-03-2009 06:26PM

TSG 15 wrote: »

I would have answered this on the general thread

Yeah I was thinking that myself. Is there a point in having 2 general threads open at the same time?

FudgeBrock · 30-03-2009 06:42PM

psni wrote: »

Yeah I was thinking that myself. Is there a point in having 2 general threads open at the same time?

its just that the first general thread seems to be more for people to socialise so i thought it would be easier to have another thread where general questions could be asked and answered. Thought it would save time esp with the recruitment process starting again the same questions will be asked- just saves people having to read through pages and pages to get the info they need.

GaryF1 · 30-03-2009 06:58PM

Im just starting to get myself ready for the IST, I've reasonably longish hair (think slightly shorter than richard hammonds from top gear)

Is this gona be an issue for the IST?

I do intend on getting it cut short for the AC and if i eventually end up getting selected, keeping it short!

Dont want someone trying to trail me about by the hair while on duty haha!

dark side · 30-03-2009 07:59PM

GaryF1 wrote: »

Im just starting to get myself ready for the IST, I've reasonably longish hair (think slightly shorter than richard hammonds from top gear)

Is this gona be an issue for the IST?

I do intend on getting it cut short for the AC and if i eventually end up getting selected, keeping it short!

Dont want someone trying to trail me about by the hair while on duty haha!

I wouldn't be worrying bout the hair until garnaville, it won't affect your score or anything like that and it would be a shame to cut those lovely locks until you knew for definate you where in

tickle_monster · 31-03-2009 01:52PM

do the psni check your bebo and facebook? like what would be considered inappropriate

not that i have anything inapproriate lol

waawaa · 31-03-2009 02:26PM

just a quick query, i have never done my driving test....i have done the lessons but never bothered with the actual test. will i need to have passed it by the time i pass out?

dark side · 31-03-2009 02:29PM

tickle_monster wrote: »

do the psni check your bebo and facebook? like what would be considered inappropriate not that i have anything inapproriate lol

Nothing, like the trophy pics you've posted on your profiles of the events in your basement

I'm sure its perfectly appropriate

Seriously though can they check it if your profile is private?

TSG 15 · 31-03-2009 02:30PM

waawaa wrote: »

just a quick query, i have never done my driving test....i have done the lessons but never bothered with the actual test. will i need to have passed it by the time i pass out?

Wont hold you back from passing out but wont get a driving course after GV.

waawaa · 31-03-2009 03:13PM

TSG 15 wrote: »

Wont hold you back from passing out but wont get a driving course after GV.

would you advise then to get it done in the next 6 months then? dont really want to miss out on any of the training

nickni · 31-03-2009 03:20PM

tickle_monster wrote: »

do the psni check your bebo and facebook? like what would be considered inappropriate not that i have anything inapproriate lol

Alot of employers check social networking sites to help gain an insight into applicants. I can't say for certain but i would say the PSNI do the same....

31-03-2009 04:15PM

nickni wrote: »

Alot of employers check social networking sites to help gain an insight into applicants. I can't say for certain but i would say the PSNI do the same....

I think if I was successfull anyways I would probably delete mine just to be on the safe side, it's amazing what can be blown way out of proportion and distorted from a seemingly totally innocent profile...Something on my bebo profile got dragged into a tribunal dispute in work even though it had absolutely nothing to do with it, I wasn't even aware of it myself, friends can't half do you damage sometimes :rolleyes: I'd probably delete them, no point letting something jepordise your chances.

nickni · 31-03-2009 04:34PM

plus you dont want everyone to know what your going to be doing for a living, all it takes is someone to say congrats on getting into the police on it....need to think of your own security and your family, especially with the way things are at the minute...

smyff · 31-03-2009 04:41PM

Deleted User wrote: »

I think if I was successfull anyways I would probably delete mine just to be on the safe side, it's amazing what can be blown way out of proportion and distorted from a seemingly totally innocent profile...Something on my bebo profile got dragged into a tribunal dispute in work even though it had absolutely nothing to do with it, I wasn't even aware of it myself, friends can't half do you damage sometimes :rolleyes: I'd probably delete them, no point letting something jepordise your chances.

yeah in my old work we created a bebo band and so did other stores around belfast. head office decided they didnt like it n everyone got warnings. there may have been some store rivilry (cant spell) though!!!

just best deleting it to be on the safe side though! or keep it private and trim down your friends to your friends and not that random guy/gal that you met on a night out who is a friend of your mates friend.

tickle_monster · 31-03-2009 06:51PM

dark side wrote: »

Nothing, like the trophy pics you've posted on your profiles of the events in your basement I'm sure its perfectly appropriate

Seriously though can they check it if your profile is private?

trophy pics lol

what can i say i like to relive those moments and share it with the world! i do have trophy pictures wearing police hats

eh im not deleting my bebo!! facebook bores me so i dont mind that, and i think they can get by the privacy thing, dammit ill have to make it really boring for a while i think its ok ill send it for vetting

:D

tickle_monster · 31-03-2009 06:52PM

nickni wrote: »

plus you dont want everyone to know what your going to be doing for a living, all it takes is someone to say congrats on getting into the police on it....need to think of your own security and your family, especially with the way things are at the minute...

lol yeah that might be a little obvious ill refrain from making the badge my profile picture! you can vett your comments before they get posted so that wouldnt be to much of a problem, hmm ive no idea what to do

PapaYankeeGirl · 31-03-2009 07:04PM

tickle_monster wrote: »

do the psni check your bebo and facebook? like what would be considered inappropriate not that i have anything inapproriate lol

Not sure TM, but I know of a girl who was declined a Uni place because they checked her bebo and seen lots of pictures of her drunk on nights out etc etc!!

TSG 15 · 31-03-2009 07:21PM

waawaa wrote: »

would you advise then to get it done in the next 6 months then? dont really want to miss out on any of the training

Up to you, no licence = no driving course

PapaYankeeGirl · 31-03-2009 07:35PM

You dont want to be the Cop who can only do 45mph in a high speed chase because you still have 'R' plates?!?!

I would say you would be better getting your test done and dusted. When you pass out of GV you dont want to be relying on taxis, trains, buses, friends or relatives to get you to/from your station. If you were finishing at 3am how would you get home?

Gosh I sound a bit harsh. Just want to give you some inspiration to get your full licence!

conor123 · 31-03-2009 07:51PM

waawaa wrote: »

just a quick query, i have never done my driving test....i have done the lessons but never bothered with the actual test. will i need to have passed it by the time i pass out?

it will just mean that you will have to do several weeks of admin duties (paperwork and other boring nonsence) whilst all your mates will be do the driving course

smyff · 31-03-2009 07:53PM

do it. i know a few guys that are in the process of doing their test. i sound like my old instructor. get your theory out of the way ASAP. it held me back. i could have got my test in about 15 lessons, but i couldnt cause i farted about with my theory.

i never got the chance to, but i heard driving with the parents or equivilent is good too. i still get nervous with my dad in my car.

tickle_monster · 31-03-2009 10:56PM

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

Not sure TM, but I know of a girl who was declined a Uni place because they checked her bebo and seen lots of pictures of her drunk on nights out etc etc!!

her uni was opposed to drunk pictures thats harsh, maybe ill make my page private but someone said the police can get round that by working with the sites

if i remove my surname they will never find me

PSNI General INFO

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