The document describes the author's journey from graduating in medical biochemistry to joining the Metropolitan Police Service, detailing their motivations and experiences within the police force. It outlines their current role, daily responsibilities, training processes, and the pros and cons of being a police officer. The document also emphasizes the qualities of a good police officer and provides resources for those interested in a policing career.

1. So is it anything like Hot Fuzz?

2. What happened after Leicester? Graduated BSc (Hons) Medical Biochemistry July 2008 Joined Metropolitan Police Service August 2008 Graduated Hendon Police Training School January 2009

3. Why the Police? Excitement Bored with academia Thought it would be easy ! Too many cop shows Wanted to help people Didn't want a 9-5 Couldn’t think of anything else to do. Didn’t want to listen to my family

4. Posted to London Borough of Harrow Currently on a response team Where am I now?

5. Team Structure 25 PCs Current Shift Pattern E =07:00- 19:00 N= 19:00-07:00 RD= Rest day 3-4 Serg 1 Inspector 1 RD 2 RD 3 E 4 E 5 N 6 N 7 N 8 RD 9 RD 10 RD 11 8-4 12 E 13 E 14 E 15 N 16 N 17 RD 18 RD 19 RD 20 RD 21 RD 22 E 23 E 24 N 25 N 26 RD 27 RD 28 RD

6. What could I be doing on any particular day? Foot patrol Gaoler Cordon Officer Operator (Area Car, Irv, Van)

7. No such things as an average day Domestics Mispers Assaults Burglaries “ Suspects On” “ Foot chase” “ Urgent assistance” Sexual Assaults Drug raids “ Fail to stop” 136 MHA Warrant Enquiries Robberies Threats to kill Fraud

8. England vs Egypt Arsenal vs Fulham Afghanistan Conference Break from the ordinary Order of the Garter Magistrates Court Crown Court Coroner’s Court Parliament Square Tamil demonstrations

9. Pros Making a difference Adrenaline rush : “I calls”, Physical confrontation Job humour Camaraderie Self discovery Catching criminals Meeting famous people Variety Early responsibility

10. Cons “ What do you do for a living?” “ Too much knowledge can be a dangerous thing” “ Don’t I know you from somewhere?” “ Going to be late for dinner again” “ Officer Safety Warning”

11. The future? Probation ends in 6 months Divisional CID Traffic Operation Trident/ Trafalgar Safer Neighbourhoods Sapphire CAIT Homicide Economic Crime Covert Policing Firearms TSG Dogs Mounted Branch Counter terrorism Protection

12. Application Process Step 1: Application Form Step 2: Day 1 Assessment Centre Step 3: Day 2 Medical and Fitness Step 4: References and Security check Personal details Competency questions A 20-minute structured interview A 12-minute numerical reasoning test A 25-minute verbal logical reasoning test Two written exercises Four 5-minute interactive role-play scenarios. Bleep test, Push and pull Eye test, Doctor’s examination Core competencies Respect for race and diversity Effective Communication Decision Making Personal Responsibility Team work Problem solving Resilience

13. Training Location: Hendon or Satellite sites. Non-residential 18 week Content: Marching, Officer Safety training, ELS, Legal powers, Criminal Offences, Role Play Duration : 25 weeks (18+5) 2 weeks holiday 5 week content: Coached patrol module

14. Pay and Benefits £28,605 on commencing service £32,610 after two years' probationer training £31,176 on completion of initial 31 weeks' training Free travel Free police gym membership High Street Discounts Key worker housing Sports and social clubs

15. What makes a good police officer? Passion for Justice Hot courage Cold courage People person Compassion with detachment Long memory/ Short memory Self Motivated Confident Talker Cool head

16. Useful websites/ Publications http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/officers/ http://www.met.police.uk/careers/newconstable/index.html Not for the faint hearted by Sir John Stevens Gilbert was wrong by Robin Oake Wasting Police Time by PC David Copperfield Jane’s Police Review Police Blogs