PSNI General INFO

FudgeBrock

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

FudgeBrock wrote: »

Hope it's usefull. Good luck!!

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

1979SD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

waawaa

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

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

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

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

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....

nickni

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

smyff

tickle_monster wrote: »

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

hahaha

well, if the uni didnt allow her to get into cause she was steamin all the time, why dont they do anything about those ***** on st paddys day wrecking the place. theres videos on youtube of those clowns farting about

PapaYankeeGirl

smyff wrote: »

hahaha

well, if the uni didnt allow her to get into cause she was steamin all the time, why dont they do anything about those ***** on st paddys day wrecking the place. theres videos on youtube of those clowns farting about

No one said it was a N.I University!!:p

waawaa

conor123 wrote: »

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

cheers conor123 & tsg, will book an intensive course once the first pay comes in.... dont think it would look good being excluded from stuff at such an early stage

smyff

PapaYankeeGirl wrote: »

No one said it was a N.I University!!:p

well, UUJ or queens anyway hahaha

conor123

waawaa wrote: »

cheers conor123 & tsg, will book an intensive course once the first pay comes in.... dont think it would look good being excluded from stuff at such an early stage

it doesnt look bad, you would be surprised about the amount of people in GV who cant drive. if you dont have it by the time you start i wouldnt worry because you will not be the only one. although i would rather spend the money learning to drive than do admin;)

waawaa

conor123 wrote: »

it doesnt look bad, you would be surprised about the amount of people in GV who cant drive. if you dont have it by the time you start i wouldnt worry because you will not be the only one. although i would rather spend the money learning to drive than do admin;)

my feelin exactly, im not that fussed on admin....driving is infinately better:D

nickni

I'mjust wandering if anyone that is already in garnerville or the PSNI can tell me what date in the month we get payed? Just getting things sorted with direct debits etc. I understand if you can't or don't want to say, Thanks

MrsGeneHunt

You get paid on the last working day of the month.

New Recruit

Re: Bebo and Facebook ect...

You will be told on your first day in the Factory to delete these site immediately if you have them...They are a serious threat to your personal security.

Ali08

New Recruit wrote: »

Re: Bebo and Facebook ect...

You will be told on your first day in the Factory to delete these site immediately if you have them...They are a serious threat to your personal security.

Thank you New Recruit! It's nice to see that there's people out there thinking about the security of others! :P

nickni

Ali08 wrote: »

Thank you New Recruit! It's nice to see that there's people out there thinking about the security of others! :P

Do i detect a hint of sarcasm? :D

tickle_monster

New Recruit wrote: »

Re: Bebo and Facebook ect...

You will be told on your first day in the Factory to delete these site immediately if you have them...They are a serious threat to your personal security.

and do you have to or is that just advice? i know officers do have them

smyff

its advice i assume. but its a better idea to delete it. gives me an excuse to delete mine. it melts me but i cant bring myself to delete it

tickle_monster

smyff wrote: »

its advice i assume. but its a better idea to delete it. gives me an excuse to delete mine. it melts me but i cant bring myself to delete it

i cant delete mine either ill be in mourning!! theres plently of officers who have them so maybe if theres no information and there private and we have to accecpt comments before we post we can keep them! ill miss bebo creeping :P

smyff

tickle_monster wrote: »

i cant delete mine either ill be in mourning!! theres plently of officers who have them so maybe if theres no information and there private and we have to accecpt comments before we post we can keep them! ill miss bebo creeping :P

lol you pervert!!!

tickle_monster

smyff wrote: »

lol you pervert!!!

:eek: are you only realising that now?? shame on you smyff-ness

smyff

tickle_monster wrote: »

:eek: are you only realising that now?? shame on you smyff-ness

Ali08

hey guys this is now beyond a joke! we are now getting treated in the same manner as those that threatened other boardies lives the other week! i dont think its fair! a number of posts went missing from here with no explanation or reason! I know this is technically a private forum but it is also open to the public as a discussion board! how can you have a discussion if people are removing posts!

TSG 15

Ali08 wrote: »

hey guys this is now beyond a joke! we are now getting treated in the same manner as those that threatened other boardies lives the other week!

Ali, I have signed off on the general thread and am now doing the same on this one, just a word before I do so. You seem to have appointed yourself as a security advisor with the ability to tell when lives are threatened. You have subscribed to threads that announce the dates of SRN and joining dates at GV. Advertising these dates expose everyone attending at these times both students and their families, which includes your own. Just be aware of this when you get on your high horse and criticise others. Leave security matters to people who know a little about them, you will learn soon enough. A word to the wise folks, banter, flirting, bull****ting and general chit chat may have annoyed people lately but its not a security risk.

Look after each other, you are all aiming to be on the one team after all so bury the petty differences!

Well done to those starting soon and good luck to everyone else still trying.

Shield

For the record, I deleted the posts.

They were either off topic, discussing forum moderation (which is what Feedback is for) or they were quoting deleted posts and were therefore out of context.

So to those who feel aggrieved because we're oppressing your freedom of expression... to those who feel us moderators need to explain our actions... to those who think our moderation is daft or that we're cyber bullies... take it to Feedback.

Ali08 has been banned for a week by another moderator for this post. I am personally disgusted that moderating an internet forum has be likened to a threat on a person's life.

No more whinging, let's get this thread back on topic by passing around useful information.

Thanks.

Ali08 wrote: »

hey guys this is now beyond a joke! we are now getting treated in the same manner as those that threatened other boardies lives the other week! i dont think its fair! a number of posts went missing from here with no explanation or reason! I know this is technically a private forum but it is also open to the public as a discussion board! how can you have a discussion if people are removing posts!