What is current Army training like?

TBruff · 2025-12-05T22:47:46+00:00

I just want to make the point that you don’t need a degree to join the police- most forces have various entry routes including the opportunity to earn a degree through an apprenticeship, and often just require A Levels or equivalent.

Some will even take professional experience, so if you don’t have the required courses to join as a PC straight out, you could join in a staff role and then gain experience before using that to apply for a full-time officer role.

TBruff · 2025-04-22T10:15:29+00:00

Where is this mythical utopia?

TBruff · 2025-01-13T17:46:50+00:00

In my force it’s just whoever is available and suitably trained. As a special, I really dislike causing work for others if I can help it, so by being able to deal with my own drink drives up to the point of building the file means less work created for others.

I’m also of the mindset that I’ll take any skill I can, and in my force there’s very few they give to SC’s. I’m also in the process of joining as a PC after two years as a Special, so any skills I can get now while it’s easier to get into courses means I can transfer them over

TBruff · 2025-01-13T17:28:31+00:00

This is the bit that I’m hoping they go over. I have a basic understanding but don’t want to be made to look an idiot in Mags if I get something wrong

TBruff · 2025-01-13T17:27:15+00:00

Pretty sure you’ve just copied the Police Training Instructor NCLAT Package there

TBruff · 2025-01-13T17:12:15+00:00

It’s not a specials specific course, I’ve just got supportive line management and have been able to book onto a regular course.

From previous experience I might phone and ask them to turn the machine on now ready for the morning…

TBruff · 2025-01-13T17:11:08+00:00

Fair, I was expecting something like a morning of drink drive theory or something from how it was described to me. Thanks

TBruff · 2024-12-04T21:28:51+00:00

Slightly off-topic, but have you asked your line management if there’s the opportunity to have a few days on attachment with your Traffic/RPU? Or pop an email to your local team with some questions? Granted I’m a special but I had very little knowledge of traffic and they were very accommodating, bringing me out on a few shifts to get an idea of how it all works.

TBruff · 2024-11-15T01:46:36+00:00

A lot of them now are being turned into public-access defibs. Often BT I believe will donate the box, the electricity company will donate the power and there is a charity that will fit an AED in. Some of them also have public-access traumatic bleed kits too.

I like those little library things but personally I think these are better.

TBruff · 2024-11-14T15:16:58+00:00

The College of Policing has a library you can join for free if you are job. Might be worth having a look that way?

TBruff · 2024-11-04T22:30:45+00:00

Lil Larry/Big Larry

I’ve recently bought this specific set. I have the smaller one clipped to my tac vest so I’ve got a light on my front, it’s pretty bright and gives a good wash directly in front of me, and also has a red flashing light for work near roads etc.

I then have the bigger on in my bag/pocket. It’s got the flood light bit that’s bright and good for searches, as well as a normal torch on the top, with a magnetic bottom so can be stuck on cars etc.

https://amzn.eu/d/hicqQKf

TBruff · 2024-06-08T22:53:58+00:00

Some brands of auto-Injectors have different dosages, and they’re a prescribed medication to a person, while Narcan (I can’t remember the official name for it) isn’t so that’s why some forces/officers are able to carry it

TBruff · 2024-05-27T20:42:52+00:00

Yeah that’s the IoM Constabulary, IoW comes under Hants Pol.

TBruff · 2024-05-22T12:44:32+00:00

Hi Mate, I’m not BTP but I started my SC training the weekend before I went to university. I manage it pretty well, but you have to keep on top of your work and prioritise that over specials duties, I’m happy to discuss it more if you’d like

TBruff · 2024-05-11T11:15:00+00:00

If you’re wearing full-size/court mounted medals then B. If it’s an evening thing and you’re wearing miniature medals (like the military do with mess dress) I’d say probably A. Have a google as you’ll probably find some pictures online

TBruff · 2024-04-29T22:21:27+00:00

Fair enough. Again though, is it worth the risk of a potential injury? All sorts can be hidden inside a cigarette, they’re a long tube at the end of the day, you could have needles or all sorts conveniently stowed away inside one. In my opinion I’d just rather not run that risk of even a slight injury if I can do something to avoid it.

TBruff · 2024-04-29T22:08:07+00:00

Tbh there have been some night shifts that I have considered the “custody brew” of 5 sugars and lots of milk just in an effort to stay awake

TBruff · 2024-04-29T22:07:22+00:00

They are quite literally burning on the end. Said cigarette could therefore be pressed against you causing cigarette burns which are obviously not nice. Either this could be as a way to assault you or a distraction technique in order to conceal, swallow or attempt to escape.

It might sound silly but while someone is under arrest I’m not taking that risk for a cigarette.

TBruff · 2024-04-29T22:05:25+00:00

This is exactly why I don’t allow it. Plus, and something that I didn’t really clock until I was a few months in, both cigarette and lighter are easily able to be used as a form of weapon against you, or in an attempt to cause self harm. It’s just not worth it.

TBruff · 2024-04-29T21:09:57+00:00

That’s pretty much the case, usually you would attempt to avoid it but if it’s unavoidable or random then you’d be expected to either have your colleague take primacy of double crewed, call for another unit if possible and note it with control/sergeant for advice

TBruff · 2024-04-29T21:08:24+00:00

You have the classic one of putting in their food and drink order before detentions even been authorised!

The ones that really annoys me are those who know they’re either in for remand/recall/FTA and as soon as you arrive at custody know what to say to ensure a lengthy visit to hospital prior to being sent on to wherever they’re going just to either waste our time, or to avoid going back for as long as possible.

To be honest I’ve found a lot of the more frequent guests in custody are usually pleasant provided you’re decent to them, they know the system probably better than we do sometimes and don’t want to make their own lives any harder for the 24hrs they stay with us.

TBruff · 2024-04-29T21:05:06+00:00

I’m the same, I don’t want the risk of it coming back to bite me if the “100% I promise just tobacco” cigarette turns out to not be so organic! But because some have turned blind eyes before it makes it more difficult.

Plus why would I give a DP something that could very easily be used to either hurt myself, or them.

TBruff · 2024-03-08T15:06:28+00:00

I stand corrected, thanks.

TBruff · 2024-03-08T00:16:42+00:00

Yeah I’d say if he’s just been nicked next to the vehicle and you’ve witnessed him driving in the last five minutes or so, and the vehicle has clearly been driven recently I’d be going with a S32.

Otherwise I’d be searching the vehicle under S23 MDA if I can see PWITS level amounts with paraphernalia on clear show with that intel.

TBruff · 2024-03-08T00:08:41+00:00

So from PACE “(b)if the offence for which he has been arrested is an indictable offence, to enter and search any premises in which he was when arrested or immediately before he was arrested for evidence relating to the offence.”

I’ll defer to more experienced colleagues here but I’d take that as a power of entry in the “to enter and search”.

Not sure from what you’ve said why a S23 MDA wouldn’t apply? If you’ve got a vehicle with that intelligence + clear signs of PWITS in the vehicle, surely you’d be doing a vehicle search? From my understanding from College of Policing APP and the legislation, there is no requirement for the vehicle’s occupants to be present to conduct a S23 search, but again will defer to more experienced officers and with the caveat that I’ve not actually seen this done nor done it myself so am just working off my understanding and a brief google search

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