PCA/Fitness test

HighburyLad

Is it me or is the news always a bit behind here in NI the only folks who did it for our campaign was the first batch everybody else it was dropped so it isn't so much news now lol, but yeah probably should be still kept in dunno about height adjustment though guys, if your chasing a suspect down a Belfast side street he/she isn't gonna adjust his or her height according to the officer lol, I get what you's mean though.

I seen an interview from a former cop were he said it shouldn't really matter the push/pull aspect as with training, officers will be able to apply techniques on suspects, I'm not sure on his quote, he has the experience so who am I to say other wise but I still dont know about that. So yeah, it is what it is as long as we get a fair shot I'm good either way as I get the same treatment as everyone else, I just hope they don't miss out on people further down the lists now including myself haha , with folks who are more than capable of passing all elements of fitness with all the messing around they've down with the pca. This third campaign I reckon will be a nightmare with resits etc God only knows how many they will bring into the merit pool.

HighburyLad

fl370 wrote: »

Hey! No I haven't; should I have? Was wondering about this, haven't been on here in months and I've seen it mentioned a few times, so I'm a little unaware whether I should have or not.

Cheers!

Fl3, at the moment we seem to be down to 68.5 in merit, everybody that's been processed and are being processed have been phased through what seems to be in batches of 100 each batch. There has been four batches so far, if attrition rates are true you maybe find 200 plus will be taken on from that amount, the next batch then should be I would say us from 68.5 down to 65 maybe.

That would be another 100 I would say, and it continues on from there, with all news that's been going on with morale and numbers dropping dramatically and a call for 800 recruits, from what I have heard I'm fairly confident they'll get through a fair amount on this merit list the second squad has only started so we're still pretty early into it here, obviously the third squad has got the call etc.

I've heard they will be taking from our merit list well into the new year, again I reiterate that this is just what I've heard so I really don't want to get anybody's hopes up etc as this could all stop if finances don't permit this, but from what I know from sources is they're beyond it now and have to recruit, finances bleak or not bleak they just have to now. I'm high 60's and haven't received anything yet and I'm hoping I will and fairly confident I will, if I'm wrong I'm wrong, but I will definitely be applying for campaign 3 as I think anyone else in my position should do, if they wish to that is.

Mop a top

Lol see!!! Good with numbers

Ghost15

Anyone else seen this?
Found on FOI requests.

Question 1
Please could I have details in relation to PSNI recruitment.

What is the lowest pass mark that has been taken into Garnerville for student training?

Clarification: Could the time limit include the last 10 squads please

Answer
This is to inform you that the Police Service of Northern Ireland has now completed its search for the information you requested.  The decision has been taken to disclose the located information to you in full.

The lowest past mark is 59 for the last 10 PSNI squads.

Question 2
What year did this recruit/recruits commence training

Answer
In 2015.

Question 3
Can you provide a breakdown of male and female, catholic and others  and their pass marks who have been accepted into training

i.e. 6 female officers in with a pass mark of 68

10 male officers in with a pass mark of 72 being the lowest mark attained by males etc.,

lowest catholic accepted into training had pass mark of 66

lowest female accepted into training had pass mark of 61

Clarification: it is a follow on, if the lowest mark was gained by a male/female or by protestant /other?
For example if the lowest pass mark was 60 was this obtained by a protestant female from lesbian background??? or male from other background for the last 10 squads

Answer
The following responses are based on the lowest pass mark accepted as being 59.

The breakdown of this group is as follows:

Protestant = a total of 12.
Roman Catholic = a total of 1.
Undetermined  = a total of 1

Male = a total of 12.
Female = a total of 2.

The lowest pass mark being 59? There's hope yet for many!

HighburyLad

Thought I would pop my head in here now, just got my date, take it everyone else has too that are doing online learning and vetting as we speak?

Floral15

HighburyLad wrote: »

Thought I would pop my head in here now, just got my date, take it everyone else has too that are doing online learning and vetting as we speak?

Hey! I haven't as of yet, was it a letter or email?

HighburyLad

Floral15 wrote: »

Hey! I haven't as of yet, was it a letter or email?

Hi Floral, it came in a letter just received it in the mail there about 20 mins ago, nervous now lol but in a good way

Floral15

HighburyLad wrote: »

Hi Floral, it came in a letter just received it in the mail there about 20 mins ago, nervous now lol but in a good way

Aww great! Feels like we are moving swiftly after all this time! My post has been and gone so perhaps tomorrow for me! Good luck

HighburyLad

Floral15 wrote: »

Aww great! Feels like we are moving swiftly after all this time! My post has been and gone so perhaps tomorrow for me! Good luck

And you

WannabePC

HighburyLad wrote: »

Thought I would pop my head in here now, just got my date, take it everyone else has too that are doing online learning and vetting as we speak?

I got my letter today too! As Martin Lawrence would say in Bad Boys 2. "**** just got real!" haha. Looking forward to the familiarisation which isn't too far away! I was surprised at the location of the PCA.

Floral15

Got my date today! Feeling nervous but excited, good luck everyone

hellomoto1234

Floral15 wrote: »

Got my date today! Feeling nervous but excited, good luck everyone

it's a good excitement though! Make sure to go to the familiarisation day if you can; I found it really helpful in terms of determining how I was going to approach each obstacle on the day.

Callzo

What's the familiarisation day? I got the PCA date but don't know anything about the familiarisation day?

Thanks for any help.

fish2690

Callzo wrote: »

What's the familiarisation day? I got the PCA date but don't know anything about the familiarisation day?

Thanks for any help.

Did you read both sides of the page?

hellomoto1234

Callzo wrote: »

What's the familiarisation day? I got the PCA date but don't know anything about the familiarisation day?

Thanks for any help.

When I did mine there was a familiarisation day 2 weeks beforehand. Basically you get to go to the venue, look at the course, ask questions, and try out the stations. Long trip for a 30 minute visit but worth it IMO. The detail was on the back page of the letter confirming my physical I think.

Callzo

Oh rookie mistake by me didn't look at the back of the letter. I'll have to check it out when I get home. Thanks for getting back to me so quick was getting worried.

hellomoto1234

Callzo wrote: »

Oh rookie mistake by me didn't look at the back of the letter. I'll have to check it out when I get home. Thanks for getting back to me so quick was getting worried.

No worries!

I know people who didn't go to the familiarisation who didn't pass so definitely worthwhile. In the video the girl makes it look an absolute doddle, but trust me by lap 3, in a sports hall with no ventilation, it fairly takes it toll on the chest!

Breaking bad

hellomoto1234 wrote: »

No worries!

I know people who didn't go to the familiarisation who didn't pass so definitely worthwhile. In the video the girl makes it look an absolute doddle, but trust me by lap 3, in a sports hall with no ventilation, it fairly takes it toll on the chest!

I'll second this lol. Felt like my lungs were going to come up and was busted for a day or two after as I gave it everything

Callzo

Where you going to the gym much before it? Would you think of yourself as fit?
Only asking because I started back at the gym for last 3 months and while I can lift weights 5 days a week and all I'm not the fittest when it comes to running. That's my concentration now I hate running though any other tips for me?

aloha2711

Callzo wrote: »

Where you going to the gym much before it? Would you think of yourself as fit?
Only asking because I started back at the gym for last 3 months and while I can lift weights 5 days a week and all I'm not the fittest when it comes to running. That's my concentration now I hate running though any other tips for me?

Hi Callzo

I'm the same - absolutely hate running, but have been trying to improve.

I found for the PCA though that High Intensity Interval training helped me. Dont forget the PCA will be over and done with in under 5minutes (all being well!)

hellomoto1234

I like to go to the gym, not 5 days a week, but manage at least 3, usually 4, then whatever non gym things I get up to at weekends.

In the build up for the PCA I stopped all weights, and followed more or less days 1 - 4 of the fitness plan included in the PCA invite.

5k run Monday, interval training on treadmill Tuesday, that mixture of the body weight exercises (and a few more) on a Wednesday, then the 3 mins fast on treadmill, 1 min squats, 1 min plank, 1 min push ups x 4 on a Thursday - overall I found it very effective in getting my fitness up over a 5 week period.

Since then i've started mixing it up a wee bit mostly doing days 1 and 2 as well as some weights - nothing too heavy as I don't want to injure myself encase the call comes.

Breaking bad

Callzo wrote: »

Where you going to the gym much before it? Would you think of yourself as fit?
Only asking because I started back at the gym for last 3 months and while I can lift weights 5 days a week and all I'm not the fittest when it comes to running. That's my concentration now I hate running though any other tips for me?

To be honest I wasn't as fit as I would have liked to have been due to some issues and wasn't feeling confident on the day. I didn't get a chance to get off work to go to the familiarisation event also but I just gave it my all. It would surprise you how much energy and motivation you get when you are determined and really want it.

It is hard to pace yourself as you don't know what your time is so I just went flat out. On the last bit of the third lap I felt a bit dizzy but I didn't want to fail lol. I would say my overall fitness wasn't that good or where it should have been for the day but it was definitely the adrenaline that got me through it.

In terms of fitness I was able to run a 1.5 mile in around 11-12 mins if that helps which was a speed of 12.5-13.5km/ph on the treadmill

StingrayGC

Callzo wrote:

Where you going to the gym much before it? Would you think of yourself as fit? Only asking because I started back at the gym for last 3 months and while I can lift weights 5 days a week and all I'm not the fittest when it comes to running. That's my concentration now I hate running though any other tips for me?

The gym is fine but there is very little in the PCA that will test your upper body strength. Trust me get yourself onto a running track and start doing some sprint work, 30m sprints will be perfect, build up to 5 x 30m sprints with min recovery between sprints.

Good luck

QueenP

Breaking bad wrote: »

I'll second this lol. Felt like my lungs were going to come up and was busted for a day or two after as I gave it everything

I will third this too!! Haha that and crying your lamps out the whole way home and for a good solid three-four hours after does not mix well!! Train train trainnnnn!! When you are all out for your runs run until you vomit!! Or close too it lol xx

Mop a top

Hi Callzo, I had to travel over 90mins to get to the familiarisation day but it was definitely worthwhile, I've done the PCA twice in C1 and I went to both days.

I would highly recommend it to everyone as it gives you an opportunity to see the course and try out all the obstacles several times and take different approaches at it. Some look easier than others and some catch a lot of people out on the day and that's costly on your time. It is possible to pass with mistakes and repeating the obstacle but would you want to risk it?

Being female I'd have to disagree with the comment about upper body strength. Personally I know I needed it mostly for the wall climb and a little on the kettle bells and the drag bag. If you go to the familiarisation day and try these out you'll know yourself. The course looks easy enough but it's high intensity so you'll be starting to slow on the 2nd and 3rd laps so keep that in mind.

I'm maybe going to sound stupid here but I think it tests you mentally as well as physically. My first time I was quite fit and been training quite a bit for it and I was confident going in, my second time round I wasn't just as fit as I was recovering from injury however I was more determined knowing that everything else had passed and if I passed my PCA I was getting a phone call. I have known folk on here and from talking to others at the familiarisation days and PCA's that you definitely need a certain level of fitness to pass but it's all down to you and if you can push yourself beyond what your body says it can do. There were guys and girls at my PCA's who were fitter than me and they failed but in my opinion (and I mean no disrespect to anyone here) they just weren't as stubborn as me.

I don't think you could ever be too fit for the PCA and the above comments are right, it will leave you busted. The GV lung will definitely get you too although the the PTI's say it's not a problem.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do, you're the only one who knows what you're capable of and how best to approach it. Plus if you were to fail you'll still have the opportunity to repeat in 12weeks so at least that takes off some of the pressure I guess

statusz

I remember going into the kettle bells the third time and my legs were like jelly and all I could say to my self was another 20seconds of max effort and your done so I got the head down and pushed as hard as I could through the last few obstacles.

You will find your hitting a wall at some stage and I think the difference to those who pass or fail are the ones that can fight through that wall.

Breaking bad

statusz wrote: »

I remember going into the kettle bells the third time and my legs were like jelly and all I could say to my self was another 20seconds of max effort and your done so I got the head down and pushed as hard as I could through the last few obstacles.

You will find your hitting a wall at some stage and I think the difference to those who pass or fail are the ones that can fight through that wall.

Very true! I agree with mop a top too.

Keep pushing and don't give up. Having eye of the tiger playing in your mind also helps lol

Ghost15

With the online learning.. I know it says the quizzes are just there for us to practice, but does it genuinely matter how many questions you get wrong and how many attempts you take to get 100%?
Got a few wrong and a wee bit worried now that the scores are counting towards something or will have an effect on my place in the merit list!
Just wanting to clarify before I go any further through it..

Mop a top

Ghost15 wrote: »

With the online learning.. I know it says the quizzes are just there for us to practice, but does it genuinely matter how many questions you get wrong and how many attempts you take to get 100%?
Got a few wrong and a wee bit worried now that the scores are counting towards something or will have an effect on my place in the merit list!
Just wanting to clarify before I go any further through it..

I was sneaky, print off a copy and have a good read through it, highlight the important points or keywords/phrases and when it comes to the quiz answer them then check against your notes and mark yourself and change any that you got wrong before submitting it. Tbh I've heard it doesn't matter how many attempts you take as long as you get 100%

statusz

They literally just check the scores page to see that they are all displaying 100%.

AFAIK they don't look at anything else.

hellomoto1234

Mop a top wrote: »

I was sneaky, print off a copy and have a good read through it, highlight the important points or keywords/phrases and when it comes to the quiz answer them then check against your notes and mark yourself and change any that you got wrong before submitting it. Tbh I've heard it doesn't matter how many attempts you take as long as you get 100%

Or if you don't want to print; copy and paste into a word doc, then CTRL F (Insert phrase) and enter should help too when doing the questions!

hellomoto1234

Mop a top wrote: »

I was sneaky, print off a copy and have a good read through it, highlight the important points or keywords/phrases and when it comes to the quiz answer them then check against your notes and mark yourself and change any that you got wrong before submitting it. Tbh I've heard it doesn't matter how many attempts you take as long as you get 100%

Obviously I did read through the stuff first, but I just saved a copy off too for reference if I couldn't quite remember. Some of the sections were very long, others not so much.

Mop a top

hellomoto1234 wrote: »

Obviously I did read through the stuff first, but I just saved a copy off too for reference if I couldn't quite remember. Some of the sections were very long, others not so much.

That's why I printed it off. Plus I revise much better if its in front of me rather than on a screen :-/ if you have it saved/printed somewhere then you can revise it before the online learning opens again before your induction.

Floral15

Anybody else starting to freak out about the pca? Im actually having dreams about it regularly! Lol

captain truth

Just relax! It has been said you can complete the PCA within the allotted time-frame by walking at a brisk pace, the key is to not make any mistakes. I was not nearly as fit as I would have liked for mine and I passed by a considerable margin! It is definitely overhyped.

Midgetgem84

Just a quick query...sitting my PCA for 2nd time soon (first one expired) are u allowed to wear, say, a fitbit on you to time yourself?

The push/pull was still required to be passed first time around for me so it was a lot of waiting about to see if I was successful. Thinkin if I can time my round it'll eliminate the nerves of waiting again.

I think I remember reading that you couldn't time it although I'm not sure

Floral15

captain truth wrote: »

Just relax! It has been said you can complete the PCA within the allotted time-frame by walking at a brisk pace, the key is to not make any mistakes. I was not nearly as fit as I would have liked for mine and I passed by a considerable margin! It is definitely overhyped.

Thanks, really worrying myself silly as i don't feel as fit as i should be but have been out everyday getting back into a better routine, think its alot to do with mental strength too i suppose

IvanT1984

Midgetgem84 wrote: »

Just a quick query...sitting my PCA for 2nd time soon (first one expired) are u allowed to wear, say, a fitbit on you to time yourself?

The push/pull was still required to be passed first time around for me so it was a lot of waiting about to see if I was successful. Thinkin if I can time my round it'll eliminate the nerves of waiting again.

I think I remember reading that you couldn't time it although I'm not sure

As with most PT sessions you get asked to remove any watches or jewellery beyond a wedding ring and studs

Do you really want to rob yourself of that nerve wracking wait and eventual feel of relief

Midgetgem84

IvanT1984 wrote: »

As with most PT sessions you get asked to remove any watches or jewellery beyond a wedding ring and studs

Do you really want to rob yourself of that nerve wracking wait and eventual feel of relief

Haha...the wait I coulda done without last time around Ivan ;-)

Ghost15

statusz wrote: »

They literally just check the scores page to see that they are all displaying 100%.

AFAIK they don't look at anything else.

Thank goodness! I was starting to worry! There's aot to take in, so hopefully get a good bash at it on my next day off!

Ghost15

statusz wrote: »

They literally just check the scores page to see that they are all displaying 100%.

AFAIK they don't look at anything else.

Thank goodness! I was starting to worry! There's a lot to take in, so hopefully get a good bash at it on my next day off!

Mop a top

I'd say its a definite no with the fitbit. In C1 familiarisation they said anyone caught timing themselves on a practice lap or doing 3 in a row would be asked to leave

Depp

Hi there, just a quick question regarding this, just got the notification today that I'll be going forward for the IST over the next few months and the problem is ive let my fitness lapse over the last while, just wondering what the timeframe between Initial testing and the fitness test is so i can try get back to where i need it to be, thanks a million.

HighburyLad

Depp wrote: »

Hi there, just a quick question regarding this, just got the notification today that I'll be going forward for the IST over the next few months and the problem is ive let my fitness lapse over the last while, just wondering what the timeframe between Initial testing and the fitness test is so i can try get back to where i need it to be, thanks a million.

It could be over a year Depp lol and that's no lie, I did my IST last campaign around June 2014 and I have my fitness next month and there is still a lot of people who haven't had notice yet for their fitness, so realistically it can be a year to year and a half before you get that far, even longer patience will become key with recruitment.

Mop a top

Depp wrote: »

Hi there, just a quick question regarding this, just got the notification today that I'll be going forward for the IST over the next few months and the problem is ive let my fitness lapse over the last while, just wondering what the timeframe between Initial testing and the fitness test is so i can try get back to where i need it to be, thanks a million.

How long is a piece of string my lovely? Im not sure how they decide the order in which people progress from IST to AC but basically the higher you score in your AC the quicker you will progress and be in for your PCA, if I was you I would start training a bit, it honestly can't hurt if you're prepared for a quick turn around.

Depp

cheers guys had a feeling there was a long turnaround alright just wanted to be sure to be sure, will get working on it straight away though and then just stay ready so i wont have to get ready if you know what i mean

Breaking bad

Depp wrote: »

cheers guys had a feeling there was a long turnaround alright just wanted to be sure to be sure, will get working on it straight away though and then just stay ready so i wont have to get ready if you know what i mean

Yea just keep an average fitness level. When the campaign picked back up after budget cuts this year I had around 8 weeks notice and that was plenty of time for someone who sits at a desk 8 hours a day lol

Breaking bad

One thing I've now downloaded which is amazing is the 100% army fit app

It's free and although we aren't joining the army, it is great for motivating you do do cardio and some muscular activity and even talks you though the exercise as in "down 2,3 up 2,3 " etc

Breaking bad

An update on the figures around the fitness pass rate

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/nine-in-ten-women-pass-psni-fitness-test-after-shakeup-34183768.html


"For campaign two, following all the changes, the failure rate for females has reduced from 63% to 8%"

WannabePC

Breaking bad wrote: »

An update on the figures around the fitness pass rate

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/nine-in-ten-women-pass-psni-fitness-test-after-shakeup-34183768.html


"For campaign two, following all the changes, the failure rate for females has reduced from 63% to 8%"

I still think scrapping the push pull was a big mistake. The second attempt at the PCA if you fail 12 weeks later is a good idea though. At least it would identify and strength problems for females or males and means they can work on it for their second attempt.

I have a friend who got all the way to the end of her training at GV after getting in before they froze recruitment and failed the push pull in her final assessments. She took 2 weeks off on the sick and had another crack at it after getting a PTI and still failed. She can't apply for another 5 years and all that money spent training her was wasted. What's to say this won't happen numerous more times if females and males can't make the grade. I'm going to say it will unfortunately.

If you were to struggle to meet the minimum required standards how can you or your colleagues have confidence in you backing them up if you're having to deal with a larger individual regardless of possessing CS spray, a baton and a Glock. No doubt all officers will have to deal with people who are stronger than them at some point but if you're not overly strong to begin with then it's going to be even tougher to restrain most people then.

Just my opinion, apologies if it annoys or upsets anyone.