Police cadets or applying for the police? ?

Question

Well I'm 15 and I live in Scotland. I have been interested in joining the police for about 3 years and have spoke to many people that i know about the police.

I'm staying on at school for another 2 years and when I leave, I was considering joining the police cadets. I know someone who is in the armed police and he says there would be know point in joining the cadets..he says just apply for the police. But other people are saying go to uni and get a degree in something and then apply.

I did apply for the police for my work experience week and I got a reference from my school and I wrote a letter and handed it in to the police but no one got back to me. Just shows how nice the police are, eh?

Has anyone got any information or suggestions on what I should do.

Answer 1

If you are capable of furthering your academic qualifications, then focus on those - and go as far as you can before you reach your limit. Then apply to the Police. With a degree - you generally stand a good chance of getting on the higher potential training scheme

If further academic education is not possible - then you need to bolster your basic qualifications with experience. This could be through the cadet scheme (if it's avaliable, because it's not in all areas). Or it could be through some other experience as the police welcome a wide range of experience.

The average age at entry into the Police is higher than you think. It used to be around 24, for the very reason mentioned above, the Police like previous non police work experience. That's not to say that those that join the cadets are not welcome, nor those that join at 19 - but the police deal with a wide range of issues - from street crime to IT crime to business crime. From crowd control to gun control. From missing persons to missing computer discs. So they need a diverse range of knowledge and experience. good luck.

Answer 2

Cadets prepare yourself

Answer 3

do something else till you can become a pc because it gives you more experience of general life - best of luck

Answer 4

Best route. Get a degree if you can. Join the regular force, from 19 onwards. With a degree, especially if relevant, you should get fast tracked into CID, forensics or whatever your choice is. Cadet entry is advantageous if you are not a graduate as it is the quickest route to officer grade. That's why the PC's demean it as you are likely to leave them in the ranks.

Answer 5

If you want to make it easier than what it is to join apply to join the MET

They take any Scrag End in there