PSNI Recruitment - Applying to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland

cesc77

cesc77 wrote: »

ps..Im sure theyll flood the streets with PCSOs now to appear to be doing something and Im sure there will be plenty of aspiring cops who join as PCSOs in order to increase their chances.Imho they are a toothless target on the streets,being used by the powers that be.lol..rant over

I recall reading an article (can't find link, apologies!) about the rise in PCSO numbers against regular officers, one force actually had more civilian staff (including PCSOs) than regular officers, it also had the worst detection rate in the country... it's sad that everything these days comes down to money, maybe the case of that force is coincidence, but surely it should go some way to indicate to those up high that piling more PCSOs out on the street to save money may work in doing just that - saving money, but does not work in fulfilling the main functions of the police service. There is a fine balance of the two, and it's heading the wrong way by the looks of it.

Kudos to those who are PCSOs, despite it being my dream to be a police officer, personally I don't think I could be a PCSO. My perception of them is walking targets, maybe it's different in real life, but all I know is what I've seen from the media. Hats off to them though for doing it!

delancey42 wrote:

Matt Baggott was interviewed on Spotlight the other evening and I was very interested to hear him say that plans exist for officers from across the water to be deployed to N.I. if an emergency situation arose. Patten said the P.S.N.I. would always be a proportionally larger force than elsewhere in the UK specifically because such ' loaning ' of officers would not be considered by other Chief Constables due to the risks involved. Similarly for political reasons alone it would never be possible to ' borrow' AGS members.
These facts were used to justify the relatively large size of the P.S.N.I. but given what the Chief said that no longer seems to apply - the implications for recruitment are obvious.

Seems the "honeymoon" period for PSNI recruitment is nearing it's end, bad times are ahead for us wannabes me thinks! Suppose I should look at it as motivation to do my best this year, who knows what next will bring...or not bring!

cesc77 wrote:

Nothing like stiffing the voters who put you in on your manifesto,eh?

Big suprise there! :rolleyes:

Delancey

This new requirement by the Met for a minimum 6 months service as a Special is very significant - I have little doubt that many ( if not all ) the other forces of England and Wales will follow suit in due course .I have heard some reports of massive numbers of applicants for the Police across the water so that means there will be lots of Specials . There are 2 ways to look at it I guess :

1 ) It is a very cheap way of giving the impression to the public at large that there are lots of Police out there when in fact it's mainly window dressing.

OR

2 ) It is a very effective way of gauging an applicants commitment to the job - doubtless some people will be easily deterred by the requirement to serve as a Special.

Take your pick

cesc77

My question would be...In the past where specials didnt exist,those that applied for the service were not doubted as to their desire nor commitment in the way that those are now.
Why should you have to go through a 6 month course or spend time as a special when it is obviously a cost cutting,public show(which in my opinion is a false one as most miscreants are fully aware of the limits of a special)err....Im getting drawn into a debate here which probably will vex some people....psni amongst those!!
I suppose on this forum talk of specials or PCSOs in N Ireland is a redundant one as it will NEVER happen(not that anyone has mentioned it over here...lol)Who in their right mind would take that risk in Norn Iron?

Delancey

What will probably vex psni is that we're talking about the Met , etc on a P.S.N.I recruitment thread :rolleyes: . Perhaps lets get back on topic :pac:

As you said unlikely to happen anytime in the foreseeable future in Northern Ireland due to the dissident threat.

cesc77

Agreed..sooo...just another 3 weeks to wait for Ac...Im kind of looking forward to it as its been 6 years since my last one and from what I gather the format has changed a wee bit.

cesc77

Have you had the pleasure yet Delancy with the Ac?Think I picked up again at the right time as they appear to be speeding things through this time...lol...see..they can get things done in double quick time when the whip is cracked and deadlines/targets must be achieved...hmmm..makes you wonder about the previous 15 campaigns when time was not at a premium

Delancey

I have my AC in the next week or so , did it last year and if I can do as well this time I'll be well pleased. The speed of movement this year is dizzying - folks getting passes ( or fails ) within 2 days - amazing. But while not wanting to put a downer on things I have a feeling that while last year getting vetting forms was considered a good sign I fear that it is much less significant this year.
Oh well , onwards and upwards..........

cesc77

Is my understanding correct that to make the desired merit number, one would have to have a score of around 63/64 out of 70 assuming that they were taking on 220 recruits.Is there any history of previous entrants that you know of Delancy that have passed on this info.I have nosed about here from top to bottom but cannot find a passmark as such for the Ac which almost guarantees you a decent merit score.I would figure that you would need to be in the top 10 percentile..hmm if all this surmising is correct then it leaves a very slim margin for error in non rcs....im not implying anything here before I get accused of anything!!lol...logical maths.

Delancey

Wow ! A score of 64 would be astonishing . To be in the top 100 people ( say ) I reckon a score of 60 out of 70 would be good enough . I base this on my own AC score last year and and one or 2 others I know about.

Cashflow

All this talk of merit scores and whatnot is complete tripe. I was accepted last year with a merit score in the 700's, it literally means nothing. There are people on the boards who have not been successful in previous campaigns with merit scores in the low 100's.

While the subject is on merit scores...have we ever had anyone with a merit of 1 on here?? or even in the tens?? I think if I somehow managed an unbelievalbe merit score like that, I would be on a mission to tell people Might sound incredibly egotastical doing so, but managing a number like that I think you deserve to tell about it, and I wouldn't look down on anyone for doing so!

pma1983

Cashflow wrote: »

All this talk of merit scores and whatnot is complete tripe. I was accepted last year with a merit score in the 700's, it literally means nothing. There are people on the boards who have not been successful in previous campaigns with merit scores in the low 100's.

That's very confusing!! Do you only get a merit score if you have passed medical and vetting?

Cashflow

Its not really known what the system behind assigning merit scores is, but no; you do not get one only if you've passed both the medical and vetting; therefore they are not a good means of gauging how likely you are to get a callup.

cesc77

cashflow ,surely this is misleading information.It has to mean something otherwise there would be no such thing as a merit list.You have been lucky enough to have been accepted with a score in the 700s.I would assume that you are rc,and that is the reason you were accepted with such a low merit ranking.Those of us here who are not rc may have more of an interest in achieving as high a merit score as possible as the competition is fiercer within that group,compared to an rc candidate who can be accepted with a ranking which is considerably higher.
I am confused as to your perceived misunderstanding of the order of acceptance procedure based on relegious background

cesc77

no offence intended by saying low merit ranking ...

Cashflow

But thats my point, how could it be "luck" that one gets in with a score that isn't great, assuming of course that the whole merit system is actually a ranking of each candidate. I've not heard of any RC applicants from the last campaign with a score of less than 500 or so. My personal opinion on the whole situation is that your chances rely more or less solely on vetting; if you meet some undisclosed criteria then you're in.

If you check back through the posts in the c15 thread, you'll see that most (if not all, my memory is a little hazy) of the RC applicants had merit scores that were higher than 500. By your rationale, this means that all RC applicants are intrinsically less capable of the job than any non-rc applicant, and only receive any call due to their religious background.

cesc77

I am intrigued by this comment.
By no means am I saying that accepted rcs are less capable than accepted non rcs.I have made my point clear,which is and has been obvious since Patten came along.I feel daft even having to post this.
More non rcs apply....more non rcs get through to the Ac....By my rough calculations out of those that pass the Ac(circa1100) 30% are rc.
I am basically saying what everyone knows....non rcs need a higher score at the Ac within their respective group than non Rcs...come on!...if you are going to accuse me of something ..ie:bigotry,or inferring that non rcs are less capable or less intelligent then you have a very weak argument.I stand by every thing I have said tonight and would welcome a comment from psni

cesc77

out of curiosity,what do you think this may be?

cesc77

Your comment ,cashflow, is pretty derogatory my friend and at no point have I inferred that rcs are less capable than non rcs.A retraction would be appreciated.Although you say you have been accepted it does not make you the font of all knowledge and give you the right to defame me here.

Shield

Alright cesc, cool it for a sec ok. He didn't make any derogatory comments, what he actually said was "By your rationale..." and then proceeded to say what he said. Even I had my finger on the infract button before I read it a second time. He didn't say what you seem to think he said.

Your merit score is your IST score plus your A/C score. Vetting and Medicals don't enter into it.

When enough (not all) people have completed Vetting and Medicals, then they can take the top 30ish from the RC pile and the top 30ish from the non-RC pile, then they have an intake.

They proceed to do that with contingency built in for drop outs, withdrawals, and out of jurisdiction applicants (eg, ROI) and sometimes it can be a bit unclear to the ordinary joe to understand exactly what's going on by reading the scraps of information you see on this forum, but there is a system, it's not luck or chance or an undisclosed criterion in play.

Yes, people with a merit score in the 100s on this very forum were refused a place in training because of 50/50, and yes, that raised a few pulses when RCs with 700+ merit scores got in to the same intake.

Don't blame the player - blame the game!

Cashflow

So what you're pretty much saying is - the arbitrary number you're assigned is pointless.

BoutYe

Cashflow wrote: »

So what you're pretty much saying is - the arbitrary number you're assigned is pointless.

No, he's not saying that.

The very simple fact is - in a standard intake of 440 candidates, with 50/50 applied, the top 220 R/Cs who have completed all stages of the recruitment process successfully are offered a place.

The top 220 other who have successfully completed all stages of the recruitment process are also offered a place.

Without a merit number how do you suppose they choose these top candidates?? Its not at random.

You are put on a list in the order of your merit number. If you fail vetting or medical you're scratched off the list. Thats why somebody in the 700's can get a place.

I don't understand where the confusion comes from??

Out of curiosity here...Does the little blurb about why you want to join the PSNI you have to put on your application form ever actually get used or even looked at? I've always thought it was the most random little thing just stuck at the end of it, especially since the application form is nothing but your basic details. Do they just put it there to prove you can atleast formulate a sentence??

Delancey

Brilliant minds think alike I've been wondering exactly the same - cannot figure out why that bit goes in. AFAIK that was only added in the last couple of years.

beca

delancey42 wrote: »

Brilliant minds think alike I've been wondering exactly the same - cannot figure out why that bit goes in. AFAIK that was only added in the last couple of years.

well... by their own mountain of red tape, surely it cant count for anything and they specify that it purely based on merit in the AC and IST tests, no other factor such as previous experience qualifications can help you so your ability at english to write the paragraph cant help either.

was so tempted this year to write along the lines of blue flashey lights etc etc :rolleyes:

beca

beca wrote: »

was so tempted this year to write along the lines of blue flashey lights etc etc :rolleyes:

or "to bag me a proper hottie policeman"

Maybe it's some sort of initial screening to catch out the thickest of thick terrorists from trying to infiltrate...Why do you want to join the PSNI? "to blow s**t up" :P Never know might catch a few out that way!

You really would wonder why it's there at all if it serves no purpoese as it seems...

dixie33

Has anyone heard of another recruitment campaign in september of this year ?
ive heard rumours but heard nothing official. would love some clarity on this lol

Bubbles34

dixie33 wrote: »

Has anyone heard of another recruitment campaign in september of this year ?
ive heard rumours but heard nothing official. would love some clarity on this lol

On the AC pass letter being sent out for this campaign it says

"You should be aware that this is likely to be the last recruitment campaign under existing temporary legislation (50/50) and that the PSNI is unlikely to be recruiting with the same volume after March 2011".

I heard the rumour of a september campaign also, but the above statement should pretty much put an end to that.

dixie33

well that pretty much drops a huge bomb on my plans:( lol
especially that 50:50 thing as i am a RC

thanx for the info bubbles, appreciate it:)

but if anyone has heard any thing similar or different could they post it plz, thanks

gazzabelfast

dixie33 wrote: »

well that pretty much drops a huge bomb on my plans:( lol
especially that 50:50 thing as i am a RC

thanx for the info bubbles, appreciate it:)

but if anyone has heard any thing similar or different could they post it plz, thanks

dont think that the end of 50:50 will instantly mean the end of RC being allowed in the psni;)

RC will still be under represented and there will always be some kind of positive discrimination.

gigity gigity

It will, Jedis only for next year.

dixie33

gazzabelfast wrote: »

dont think that the end of 50:50 will instantly mean the end of RC being allowed in the psni;)

RC will still be under represented and there will always be some kind of positive discrimination.

haha i know that :P
just reduces my chances of bein one of the lucky few who make it, heres hoping though

thanx for the info anyway

cesc77

Poor you.Obviously a dedicated applicant.Spare a thought for others not in your relegious background who have to score significantly better within said background to gain entry..Positive discrimination jokes are in poor taste coming from someone who benefits from the end result.

dixie33

cesc77 wrote: »

Poor you.Obviously a dedicated applicant.Spare a thought for others not in your relegious background who have to score significantly better within said background to gain entry..Positive discrimination jokes are in poor taste coming from someone who benefits from the end result.

Actualy this will be the first year im eligible to apply because of my age.

yeah i know its tough on them like
especially if they're like me and joining the police is their dream

Shield

You two - knock it off.

dixie33

psni wrote: »

You two - knock it off.

Are u referring to me ?
if u are im sorry, i honestly wasnt trying be provocative in any way to any one. Don't know how i could have been taken like that. anyway, sorry

cesc77

psni,you cannot be referring to me,surely?
I would never get involved within a provocative debate. :eek:


he started it.....
joke.
Dixie good luck whenever you do apply.

dixie33

lol

thanx

plan to apply in september, heard rumours of a campaign for then and if not then just whenever the next campaign is. Fingers crossed.

titanmcdermott

congrats to everyone who got in off the last campaign. Is there any info at all now that 50:50 is gone and so are deloitte of any future plans for recruitment and if so how they will go about it??? thanks

Delancey

titanmcdermott wrote: »

congrats to everyone who got in off the last campaign. Is there any info at all now that 50:50 is gone and so are deloitte of any future plans for recruitment and if so how they will go about it??? thanks

Unfortunately at this time nothing is known , easy to speculate but the only firm information at this time is no recruitment this year or next.

dunner515

Hey guys, would anyone be able to answer me this?

1. When was the last recruitment drive?
2. Is it possible to set up an alert for when the next recruitment drive takes place?
3. How often do they recruit?
4. When will be the next recruitment drive?

Thank you in advance

El_Triboy

dunner515 wrote: »

Hey guys, would anyone be able to answer me this?

1. When was the last recruitment drive?
2. Is it possible to set up an alert for when the next recruitment drive takes place?
3. How often do they recruit?
4. When will be the next recruitment drive?

Thank you in advance

1. Last recruitment was in November 2013, process is still ongoing with the first batch expected to be starting in the coming months.
2. I'm not sure of that, best thing to do is watch the boards and the psni website
3. It depends on funding but before this recruitment I think the last one was 3 years ago. Before the economic downturn it was more regular the same as the AGS.
4. Rumors suggest that there could be another recruitment in the next year if the current merit pool fails to yield enough suitable candidates


Hope that helps, if I can answer anything else Ill try

dunner515

El_Triboy wrote: »

Hope that helps, if I can answer anything else Ill try

Thank you very much for the reply.

With regards to education criteria it states that "Applicants are required to have 5 or more GCSEs (or equivalent1) at A*- C grade, including Maths and English."

What would the equivalent of that be to the Irish leaving certificate?

DesertCreat_15

dunner515 wrote: »

Thank you very much for the reply.

With regards to education criteria it states that "Applicants are required to have 5 or more GCSEs (or equivalent1) at A*- C grade, including Maths and English."

What would the equivalent of that be to the Irish leaving certificate?

A pass in the Leaving !

dunner515

DesertCreat_15 wrote: »

A pass in the Leaving !

Just passing the leaving certificate?
Are certain grades required for specific subjects?

DesertCreat_15

dunner515 wrote: »

Just passing the leaving certificate?
Are certain grades required for specific subjects?

As specified in the requirements you will need a pass in 5 subjects including English and Maths.

Doesn't mention any subject in particular other than English and Maths, therefore no, you don't need certain grades for specific subjects.

Hope that helps

student15

Dont forget the IT qualification folks haha

Pccc

I hear they are recruiting again in May this year, if you applied last time and didn't just make the mark at the assessment can we apply again for this campaign so soon?

Sthm

Pccc wrote: »

I hear they are recruiting again in May this year, if you applied last time and didn't just make the mark at the assessment can we apply again for this campaign so soon?

Should be able to, yeah. I think most services across the water have a six month period before you can apply elsewhere if you fail the AC, but I've never heard of that in NI.

Seems word of another drive in May is picking up.

dunner515

Pccc wrote: »

I hear they are recruiting again in May this year, if you applied last time and didn't just make the mark at the assessment can we apply again for this campaign so soon?

Where did you hear that? Could you provide a link at all as I'd like to read up on it