January 2020 Recruitment.

MrChew

walkman2302 wrote: »

After submitting your vetting forms, how long did it take you folks to receive a pca/ medical date?

About two weeks!

RoboCop123

FYI, you can watch the NI PB meeting livestream on their YouTube channel www.youtube.com/nipolicingboardlive

Kick-offs at 12:30PM... Goodluck folks. I've a strong cup of coffee for this one!

walkman2302

Chief Constables report to the policing board if anyone is interested.

https://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/sites/nipb/files/publications/chief-constables-report-northern-ireland-policing-board.pdf.pdf

MrChew

walkman2302 wrote: »

Chief Constables report to the policing board if anyone is interested.

https://www.nipolicingboard.org.uk/sites/nipb/files/publications/chief-constables-report-northern-ireland-policing-board.pdf.pdf

Same doom and gloom projection, innit?

walkman2302

MrChew wrote: »

Same doom and gloom projection, innit?

Yeah I believe there will be a budget plan later in March which should shed some more detail. However it would appear that recruitment will be halved.

RoboCop123

Yes they are continuing with their plans from the previous PB meeting and talk about cutting recruitment numbers by 50%, but in watching the video and notes from the CC it's not completely finalised until they actually get their budget. Also notably and I'll quote below from the article, I believe the rest of the ACs will be completed online and results anticipated within the coming weeks?

"Since my last update, online interviewing has been successfully introduced for police staff external recruitment. Online interviewing is also being considered for specific internal promotion and selection processes. This is a progressive step forward in continuing to make appointments to operationally critical roles. It is anticipated that we will conclude our 2020 police officer campaign assessment centres in the coming weeks."

With all this said and the latest FOI available from the 2020 stats and 900ish passing the AC they might have a percentage threshold at the ACs in continuing to the PSNI managed stages, as with previous campaigns a few years ago. If the ACs do get finished shortly as anticipated then the merit list and everyone waiting will hopefully find out their position/score and be a bit more in the know.

MrChew

RoboCop123 wrote: »

Yes they are continuing with their plans from the previous PB meeting and talk about cutting recruitment numbers by 50%, but in watching the video and notes from the CC it's not completely finalised until they actually get their budget. Also notably and I'll quote below from the article, I believe the rest of the ACs will be completed online and results anticipated within the coming weeks?

"Since my last update, online interviewing has been successfully introduced for police staff external recruitment. Online interviewing is also being considered for specific internal promotion and selection processes. This is a progressive step forward in continuing to make appointments to operationally critical roles. It is anticipated that we will conclude our 2020 police officer campaign assessment centres in the coming weeks."

With all this said and the latest FOI available from the 2020 stats and 900ish passing the AC they might have a percentage threshold at the ACs in continuing to the PSNI managed stages, as with previous campaigns a few years ago. If the ACs do get finished shortly as anticipated then the merit list and everyone waiting will hopefully find out their position/score and be a bit more in the know.

Good post.

I think the online interviews refers only to internal promotion and police staff, rather than officer recruitment. Still, no denying that the CC anticipates the ACs will be completed soon, and that's good news.

Once folks have their merit list position and a better idea of how the budget will work out, it'll be easier to assess how things might play out.

JC12250

With over 200 being FT I’d doubt the rest of us have much of a look in if recruitment does get halved.

AlphaBravoOut

MrChew wrote: »

Good post.

I think the online interviews refers only to internal promotion and police staff, rather than officer recruitment. Still, no denying that the CC anticipates the ACs will be completed soon, and that's good news.

Once folks have their merit list position and a better idea of how the budget will work out, it'll be easier to assess how things might play out.

Sooner the merit list is generated the better! Think you had mentioned previously that there’s a chance less than a 115 of us may be recruited this current year? So not even the 300 with a 50% cut! I can’t get my head around it anymore. It also doesn’t make sense to go ahead with rescheduled pca’s and medicals in the coming weeks for perhaps many people not to be called for another year and then having to repeat those processes over again..really difficult to remain positive, but it’s all we can do

MrChew

AlphaBravoOut wrote: »

Sooner the merit list is generated the better! Think you had mentioned previously that there’s a chance less than a 115 of us may be recruited this current year? So not even the 300 with a 50% cut! I can’t get my head around it anymore. It also doesn’t make sense to go ahead with rescheduled pca’s and medicals in the coming weeks for perhaps many people not to be called for another year and then having to repeat those processes over again..really difficult to remain positive, but it’s all we can do

Yeah, in the previous CC report to the policing board, he'd estimated recruitment of 114 officers in 2021/22. It's possible that the 600 planned officers for recruitment was going to be over 2 years, so half of 300 per financial year?

To be honest, it's hard to know how it will play out. There are monitoring rounds every three months that can identify underspends in one area that can be moved to another. The Treasury might offer additional funds later in the year etc etc.

The headline reduction of a 50% cut in recruitment is bad news no matter what way you slice it, though. Especially given that there are nearly 280 FTers, which would then be virtually the entire complement from the 2020 campaign.

RoboCop123

It does come across as a bit confusing although PSNI knew about these budget cuts and still released another FT group, sent out vetting forms and rescheduled PCAs/medicals. It would make you think surely there is a reason for that, all them things cost money and I can't see them doing that with expiration dates on them main stages of the process without good reason from higher up.

Also, if they only take 300 (worst case scenario IMO) then because not everyone passes the all 5 PSNI managed stages that merit pool could be 500 people. Still room left if it does come down to it.

walkman2302

Does anyone know the exact figure of FT?

I believe it may have been 234? Although I’m not confident if that is accurate or not.

JC12250

Anyone think a waiting list will be compiled and exhausted before another recruitment regardless of numbers?

MrChew

JC12250 wrote: »

Anyone think a waiting list will be compiled and exhausted before another recruitment regardless of numbers?

It's possible but in previous campaigns they've worked to a certain number and then issued dear johns to the remaining people on the merit list.

ASM1234

Well folks that seems to be it in black and white. 300 being cut. A year of waiting for that, no luck at all

Xxx1234

ASM1234 wrote: »

Well folks that seems to be it in black and white. 300 being cut. A year of waiting for that, no luck at all

Where did you see this?

Gda88

This isn’t set in stone so it’s probably best leaving it until we know for sure!

ASM1234

Xxx1234 wrote: »

Where did you see this?

The link that was sent in up in the chat. Reducing staff by 300 which I would say is us

MrChew

ASM1234 wrote: »

Well folks that seems to be it in black and white. 300 being cut. A year of waiting for that, no luck at all

It doesn't say that - there will be a 50% reduction only if no additional funding is found. The CC says there are still a number of avenues open to him that he is exploring. Additionally, as someone has quite rightly pointed out, there will be folks who fail the PSNI managed stages or drop out.

Wait for the merit list and any further budget news or official communications from Deloitte or the PSNI. The posts here are speculative by nature.

Don't give up hope just yet.

Majorian

What an absolute joke. All that talk about recruiting more officers, so much people's time and efforts wasted. Even if you don't get slashed if you're not FT there's no chance you'll start this year, likely even struggle starting next year. No job is worth this kind of wait unless you're applying to be an astronaut. I'll be taking up my offer from a mainland force I applied for months after applying for PSNI, but it seems like they have their stuff together unlike over here. I've been putting it off because I love NI and I wanted to do my bit, but at this point I'm through. Good luck everyone who's planning on staying around, I hope you have an endless ocean of patience because you'll need it.

ASM1234

Apologies then I must of read it wrong. Just very annoying at this stage as you don't know if ur coming or going

BelfastGuy65

Surely with officers retiring etc though it might not be us lot?

MrChew

BelfastGuy65 wrote: »

Surely with officers retiring etc though it might not be us lot?

It says explicitly in the CC report that the way they will reduce numbers in the incoming financial year will be to allow retirement to exceed recruitment, so it seems if it comes to pass, it will definitely be the 2020 candidates bearing the brunt.

That said, it will hopefully not come to that.

JC12250

Just had a chance to go over the majority of the PB meeting after finishing work. It’s sounds like the NI Office might give us the funding we need and indeed the DOJ has asked for more detail for what way the PSNI will use the extra officers for. All we can do is hope the CC’s pleas are answered either by the MOJ or by the NI Office. For anyone wanting to refer to the question it is 41mins 42secs.

North Coast John

Had my medical this week. How long does it take to get results? This has been a long long stressful year lol. Just want to have a start date for GV.

FairCop

North Coast John wrote: »

Had my medical this week. How long does it take to get results? This has been a long long stressful year lol. Just want to have a start date for GV.

Hi Mate. I had mine on 23 and good word this Tuesday and SMT result the next day. All the best!

mariyapsni

Hi all. This is the PB tweet regarding the recruitment. "At yesterday's accountability session, @doloreskelly asked the Chief Constable about plans for increasing representation in policing in terms of recruitment, retention and promotion of officers and staff. See the response and meeting in full here: https://t.co/B85US6PS0A https://t.co/vifGjPab4w" I hope this helps xx

JC12250

Everyone who I speak to that is in the service atm seems to think we will get the funding so I don’t know what to think anymore lol

MrChew

JC12250 wrote: »

Everyone who I speak to that is in the service atm seems to think we will get the funding so I don’t know what to think anymore lol

Don't give up hope. Our main concern right now is the ACs being completed and a merit list made. Budgetary issues can get resolved in a number of ways over the course of a financial year - and this process is long enough that the funding may come through while PCAs, medicals, vetting etc are still being completed. Even if the additional funds aren't there in April, it ain't over.

North Coast John

FairCop wrote: »

Hi Mate. I had mine on 23 and good word this Tuesday and SMT result the next day. All the best!

Thanks for the reply. What sort of time does it take before getting your medical/SMT sorted and then actually getting a date to start training?

Also, what's the consensus on this recruitment drive then? Will the 600 be cut in half? Bit out of the loop sorry.

MrChew

North Coast John wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. What sort of time does it take before getting your medical/SMT sorted and then actually getting a date to start training?

Also, what's the consensus on this recruitment drive then? Will the 600 be cut in half? Bit out of the loop sorry.

It's still unclear how the budget thing will work out. It just remains a possibility.

As for the other question, how long is a piece of string lol? It will depend on your ML position, how many people there are in each intake if social distancing remains a requirement, and the intake schedule. Recruitment told me the absolute earliest anyone from 2020 would start would be summer or later.

North Coast John

MrChew wrote: »

It's still unclear how the budget thing will work out. It just remains a possibility.

As for the other question, how long is a piece of string lol? It will depend on your ML position, how many people there are in each intake if social distancing remains a requirement, and the intake schedule. Recruitment told me the absolute earliest anyone from 2020 would start would be summer or later.

It's crazy how difficult this recruitment drive has been due to covid-19. I was fast tracked so I'm hoping my medical & SMT results come through shortly. I suppose all we can do is be patient given the circumstances. I suppose the merit list wont be posted until all ACs have finished.

MrChew

North Coast John wrote: »

It's crazy how difficult this recruitment drive has been due to covid-19. I was fast tracked so I'm hoping my medical & SMT results come through shortly. I suppose all we can do is be patient given the circumstances. I suppose the merit list wont be posted until all ACs have finished.

Yeah, no ML til ACs complete, no intakes from 2020 until ML, so just more waiting. I've been appointable since December so really getting some practice at being patient now

North Coast John

What was communicated to you after you got your medical and SMT results? Just wait for further information? I was supposed to have my medical in January, but it got pushed to March. Hopefully with the vaccine being rolled out things will start returning to normal and the ball will get rolling again.

MrChew

North Coast John wrote: »

What was communicated to you after you got your medical and SMT results? Just wait for further information? I was supposed to have my medical in January, but it got pushed to March. Hopefully with the vaccine being rolled out things will start returning to normal and the ball will get rolling again.

Nothing was communicated to me after medical/SMT results. At that point, the norm seems to be radio silence. I had to enquire to confirm I was even appointable, and every bit of info I've received has been because I've contacted recruitment.

FairCop

MrChew wrote: »

Nothing was communicated to me after medical/SMT results. At that point, the norm seems to be radio silence. I had to enquire to confirm I was even appointable, and every bit of info I've received has been because I've contacted recruitment.

Hi McChew, do you think were we taken in merit order for medicals or not seeing ML has not been finalised?

North Coast John

FairCop wrote: »

Hi McChew, do you think were we taken in merit order for medicals or not seeing ML has not been finalised?

I thought it might have been done by a-z surname for those fast tracked but I could be wrong.

MrChew

FairCop wrote: »

Hi McChew, do you think were we taken in merit order for medicals or not seeing ML has not been finalised?

No idea, but I don't think it was any sort of ML order. More likely alphabetical but I'm not certain. In my PCA though, the surnames went from A -Z, rather than bands of like A - D which would have suggested alphabetical.

FairCop

MrChew wrote: »

No idea, but I don't think it was any sort of ML order. More likely alphabetical but I'm not certain. In my PCA though, the surnames went from A -Z, rather than bands of like A - D which would have suggested alphabetical.

Sounds about right guys - thanks

Mcfluffers

PCA date received, I would have a decent enough level of fitness doing HIIT and out running a few times a week. Going to attend the Familiarisation day, would it be worth measuring out distance between cones etc? All tips very welcome!

JC12250

Policing Board are looking volunteers to oversee standards and practicing in constable recruitment...does this mean another recruitment is on the horizon?

ASM1234

JC12250 wrote: »

Policing Board are looking volunteers to oversee standards and practicing in constable recruitment...does this mean another recruitment is on the horizon?

I heard a few people say there was another recruitment drive coming soon, not sure how true that is.

JC12250

ASM1234 wrote: »

I heard a few people say there was another recruitment drive coming soon, not sure how true that is.

This might be the case. I remember reading that they get people to sit in to make sure standards are being upheld. Don’t see why they would ask for volunteers if they didn’t plan to recruit soon.

mariyapsni

JC12250 wrote: »

This might be the case. I remember reading that they get people to sit in to make sure standards are being upheld. Don’t see why they would ask for volunteers if they didn’t plan to recruit soon.

These developments give me some hope that even as a non-FT'er they could still exhaust the ML and get us all in (pending on successful PSNI managed stages) if they are planning another recruitment drive. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense to have spent all these funds on a partially fulfilled campaign and then starting an entirely new campaign. :P

LC20

Anyone still waiting for vetting from FT1? Mines been away 20 weeks now.

Newbieee

It’s not done by surname, it can come back any time. Some people’s vetting can be under 10 weeks. Some can be 30 weeks plus just depends on your previous jobs, family members, loans, social media etc

LC20

Is it worth emailing them? Or is the reply a generic one.

Newbieee

LC20 wrote: »

Is it worth emailing them? Or is the reply a generic one.

It’ll be a generic response but I have heard of candidates emailing that are 20/30 weeks plus and then finding out the following day

North Coast John

Anyone know when the merit list might come out? Are there many ACs left to do? Got word on my medical there and I am really glad to have gotten through all the stages. Looking forward to a start date for GV.

MrChew

North Coast John wrote: »

Anyone know when the merit list might come out? Are there many ACs left to do? Got word on my medical there and I am really glad to have gotten through all the stages. Looking forward to a start date for GV.

In the last PB briefing, the AC said the remaining 30 or so ACs would be completed "in the coming weeks" so the Merit List should be out any time between now and the inevitable heat death of the universe.

In seriousness though, hopefully before May.