Got to make a decision guys - Time for a career change?

[thehappyotter]

Everything I'd say has already been covered and I agree with the vast majority of it.

I, like you, love my job absolutely. When I'm allowed to do it. Sadly this is something which happens less and less and I'm rapidly becoming painfully disillusioned and frustrated. I can only see that getting worse and worse over the coming years and the current 'modernisation' process genuinely scares me to death.

I'm wary of what I write on the internet, for reasons I'm sure you're aware, but I think Tony hit the nail on the head with the fact you're treated as a liability by management, they then 'manage' this by throwing paperwork at the underlying problems and wouldn't ever publicly support you if the stuff hit the fan. They harp on about professionalism (which we all know 99.99% are) then treat you like a child.

I know what role you do and I know what would happen if you were to use the skills and abilities you have. That is something that again, scares me to death. As we work to live and not vice versa, I think the risk/reward is not in balance, especially with the recent pay/pension 'modernisation'.

All I can say is, if I don't pass the application process I'm currently involved in, I shall be very seriously considering an alternative career. I always said that when decent operational cops start walking then it's past saving. I'm seeing that happen.

Whatever it is you decide, you've got my most deep down best wishes.

[tonymadge]

Its sad for me as a former officer to read the words of the serving guys, who are committed in the jobs to serve the public, (which is what we all joined up to do) saying they love the job but are compelled to look elsewhere due to the conditions of work. I had a simple goal every time I went on duty and that was to make a difference to someone on my tour of duty, be it catch a criminal that had caused harm either physical or financial or just plain old reassurance to someone. It all came down to personal pride and wanting to, as the they say in the U.S.A serve and protect. Sadly as the years went by this was removed from you and it now comes down from management that at the end of the shift you have covered your arse. I saw this on many missing persons searches, they would call the helicopter not with any intention of finding the person but just so they can tick the box and cover themselves, this is ok as long as they gave the crew the right information ie phone pinging ( to give a search area) basic checks on hospitals and even down to house search. They never did these unless you pushed hard and refused to attend unless they did them. I had many a dispute with senior officers over this, my thoughts are, if you want to find the person do it right. sadly they didnt care about joe public, they just wanted an ACE job (arse covering exercise)
Sad times really and it wont be long before the public begin to realise they are not getting the service they pay for, crime figures show crime is falling......actually the way they report crime and fudge the figures are the reasons. Crime cannot fall with less officers, less support staff, less police stations open and privatisation of roles.
Ok rant over

[VEGAS]

All very true words guys.

Rob, I really hope you get that position your applying for.

Keep us posted with the progress.

Good luck.

[Garry Russell]

One big problem with the police is the poor old officer on the front line as seen by the public

He does his best but is not allowed to do his job properly due to management constraints as mentioned above.

When he does do something, he is then sometimes hours filling out forms instead of out there being seen.

When it all goes wrong the guy doing the job takes all the blame.

Blamed for not being out on the street as much as he should, blamed because the criminals he caught are back out on the street because they are bailed before they get to court and get let off...this again is the poor old bobby's fault.

He can grab someone off another person and be accused of assault if it was determined he used excessive force. This is of course decided by someone who not only wasn't there, but possibly never has been

The authorities live in cosseted mini worlds and not amongst the general population, they have no idea yet they are the experts.

Of course then they do get it wrong and they have the bobby to blame.

When the whole lot breaks down of gets bad press they change the rules to improve figures and make cuts to show the public they are saving taxpayers money.

Nowadays, in all field they are showing how they have saved the taxpayer money...yet the tax liability for the general public has gone up.

So they are paying more for less and being told they are better off and safer as a result.

I don't know the detail from the inside, but, if this is how it looks from the outside, it must be in crisis.

[tonymadge]

You should be one of the Police Crime Commisioners Garry, the problems would be solved then

[thehappyotter]

I just wrote a lengthy post about what I feel has gone wrong and deleted it for fear of discipline. That say's almost as much...

I'll keep you updated Eddie, result's out W/C 22nd!

[VEGAS]

Yes I'm always mindful matey.

That's not too long to wait for the decision.

I would imagine quite a few have gone for those spots.

Fingers crossed for you.

[Vancouver]

[quote="thehappyotter"]I just wrote a lengthy post about what I feel has gone wrong and deleted it for fear of discipline. quote]

I do that a lot, gotta protect that pension from the buggers..

[tonymadge]

Wise move guys, they like to hang their own out to dry... So take care..

[thehappyotter]

I just wrote a lengthy post about what I feel has gone wrong and deleted it for fear of discipline. quote]

I do that a lot, gotta protect that pension from the buggers..

Don't get me started on pensions!!!