What is the job really like?
As a Police Constable what is the job really like?
As a new recruit, once finished initial training you will spend the first two years working as a Probationary Beat and Patrol Constable. You will work as part of a team providing 24 hour cover for your station. You will work closely with other members of your shift, responding to emergency calls from the public covering a diverse range of issues. Typical tasks include:
- Patrolling your area on foot or in a vehicle;
- Attending road traffic accidents;
- Helping the victims of crime;
- Responding to serious public order incidents;
- Arresting offenders;
- Completing paperwork in relation to your task.
The challenge / the pay-off.
Your work will be challenging, but also rewarding and interactive. Being a good police officer requires discipline, hard work and total commitment. As with many jobs, at times it will prove demanding and sometimes even stressful. You will need to be enthusiastic, dedicated and diligent.
There may be some elements of police work that you had not anticipated. You will need to adapt to working in a disciplined environment and to the unpredictable nature of the work as you walk the beat in all weathers. There is a certain amount of paper work involved in every police role. Certain aspects of the job may involve dealing with confrontation and conflict situations. You will be expected to always act with integrity. You will have a professional manner and will have to appear confident and competent no matter what the situation. Not everyone can manage all of this, which explains why you have to be the best!
A lot is expected of you, but you will also get a lot back from the job. There are the high points when you know you have personally made a difference, when you can prevent a crime or solve a problem, when you help your community or an individual, and when a member of the public thanks you for your effort.
Officer Testimonials
We interviewed real police officers to find out what their jobs are really like. Please listen to their interviews by clicking on the links below:
Officer Audio Testimonials
Officer Audio Testimonials 2
Officer Audio Testimonials 3