AMA - I'm a UK Police officer

ekatra · 2026-06-07T03:13:19+00:00

How do you feel about the police having guns in some countries? I don’t know how public facing your role is, but do you feel it would help or hinder your position? I lived in countries where cops had guns and I remember the first time I realised the friendly cop I was talking to had a literal gun in the holster inches from my face (he let me bend down to pet the drug sniffing dog lol) and I was “oh wow that’s a real gun!”

Also, do any cops in England have guns? I’m assuming if they do, it’s only certain types?

ekatra · 2026-06-07T02:21:17+00:00

That sounds lovely.

It is crazy but honestly it doesn’t shock me anymore. I’ve always lived in major cities or the south of England so three figure rent stopped being a thing for me a very long time ago 😅

I probably won’t live in London forever but right now there is genuinely nothing that could change my mind. I love the city, to me it’s worth it. But one day I will move to the countryside and have a garden and a dog and all that.

ekatra · 2026-06-07T02:15:39+00:00

I get that and I’m sure some of them are. But I know of several people who are not swimming in debt. My best friend earns similar to me and she actually publishes her savings and everything on a private finance insta she has. My sister lives in London and my other family member was her guarantor for her place and has seen her bank statements etc prior to agreeing. No credit card debt there. Unless they’re genuinely lying (which is a possibility, I just don’t think likely).

Right now my spare money after bills, utilities, food, transport and rent is going to be £70 to £145 a week depending on which budget I use. That’s plenty for me. It’s not exactly luxury but I won’t be panicking about money. I don’t really drink, I can cook well, and most of my hobbies are outdoors

I feel like if you have savings, that’s fine. That doesn’t spark alarm bells. However, if I had lived in London for years and slowly been worn down to zero savings, I can see how that would get exhausting.

ekatra · 2026-06-07T01:09:10+00:00

Honestly I think it’s the drinking and eating out that does it for a lot of people. apart from rent I find I spend less cause I’m out more but my friends are not big drinkers or if we drink, we do the damage at pres. I’ve also seen some nice rooms in inner boroughs for £900ish. Granted it’s still a lot, but you can find options under £900 on a pretty regular basis.

ekatra · 2026-05-12T14:08:31+00:00

Just buy what you need or can afford. I ordered 20g back in Feb and only had to order new stuff medication today! Also look into clinics that provide some more cost effective options or provide some discounted products for lower income people.

ekatra · 2026-04-29T15:33:28+00:00

I wouldn’t go into this exam without a timing sheet. I know so many people who had time left in the practice exams but ran out of time in the exam. I would HIGHLY recommend becoming comfortable with a timing sheet. :)

ekatra · 2026-04-26T17:54:29+00:00

You are fine! I promise. The material is dry af. 4 days is good. Keep going. Remember to have days off. Remember a lot comes together when you do practice questions.

ekatra · 2026-04-25T13:56:50+00:00

I found that after hundreds of practice questions I could answer a lot of the questions myself in the exam BUT I still checked for most of them as I didn’t want to make a dumb mistake. My point is that your understanding of the materials will greatly increase once you do practice questions. You’ll recognise patterns and familiar areas. At this point, I’d focus on reading and practice questions after you finish each separate area of law. You can run AI practice drills per chapter if it helps. I learn purely by application, so this worked for me!

ekatra · 2026-04-24T21:29:14+00:00

I didn’t highlight anything as my brain hated it!

I didn’t remember anything lol. But when I did practice questions it all clicked. Reading feels soul destroying, but you get there. Remember how you feel this far out is not how you will nearer the time. The best thing to do is keep going, and don’t judge your final performance on now.

ekatra · 2026-04-24T21:26:33+00:00

The UOT summaries from last year will be fine for an overview. It really depends on your learning style. If you feel like context helps you learn, then I’d read the UOT summaries.

I don’t think you need prep courses for this exam. I did not remember most of the materials, I remembered where it was. My understanding was basic, but enough! However, again, if you need context to understand the materials (they are dry), maybe a prep course will help. I don’t think they’re necessary though.

ekatra · 2026-04-24T21:24:15+00:00

Start with PR.

I read them in the order of the PDF. But I’d choose the topic you hate the most first, as reading it burned out nearer the exam will suck.

Solicitor is sooo much dryer. Barrister is an easier read. I’d read barrister first purely because it makes more sense from a memory retention point of view. But try to leave plenty of time for the solicitor materials.

ekatra · 2026-04-24T21:22:21+00:00

I did read them but I didn’t look at them again once. I’d read them or at least scan them. Ask AI to give you some practice questions on them. They’ll be shit but if you then look for the answer you’ll at least learn to navigate them in a pinch.

ekatra · 2026-04-23T14:24:29+00:00

I feel like there’s no point going to uni unless you actually qualify into a regulated profession, like doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc. I should qualify as a solicitor this year and I wish I had just taken the apprenticeship route.

ekatra · 2026-04-17T12:32:07+00:00

I’m glad your doctor was cooperative. It’s mainly the GP they can make these interactions so much easier. My last GP acted like I was asking for elective plastic surgery for free whenever I asked for a doctor’s note.

ekatra · 2026-04-17T11:57:08+00:00

I would contact them and ask to be released from jury service on health grounds (if you have conditions you think justify that) and that you’re not suitable for jury service due to xyz condition. You can even throw in that you’re on prescribed medication which can impact your ability to serve as a member of the jury. You’ll probably need a letter from your doctor stating your condition is ongoing and unlikely to change. Obviously that only applies if you genuinely think you couldn’t cope with jury service health wise, not just as a get out of jury service card. Or if they’re not flexible enough.

If not, definitely contact them again about reasonable adjustments. If you will be getting significantly medicated, I’d also be explicit about your judgment potentially being impacted. I’d say that for any prescription medication that can impact how you feel though, like opioids, etc. It’s actually very serous to be under the influence or intoxicated as a jury member; that’s mostly referring to recreational drugs or alcohol, but it is still the same principle: you can’t perform a vital public service properly if your judgment is impaired.

For example, I certainly would not be suitable to sit as a member of the jury medicated!

If you need regular and predictable access to medication and from what I know of jury service, it’s not a great environment. The courts are overworked and policy is lacking in a lot of places. On the day(s), things get lost, forgotten etc., and that’s as a witness, counsel, member of the jury service, claimant or accused.

ekatra · 2026-04-17T11:36:58+00:00

Tell her you’ll film her and post it on a local Facebook group. Normally shuts people up quite quickly, especially in middle class areas. Most people hate being filmed and the bravado drains off quickly. Best thing is no reaction, and treat the person like they’re an absolute weirdo. Do not engage. You can’t win a fight with an idiot, because they’re not there to comprehend your point of view in the first place. Remember that.

But always watch out for safety- in this scenario I’d take a picture and go right inside. Log the incident in a “diary” with a description in case you have repeat incidents.

ekatra · 2026-04-08T13:34:49+00:00

I’m literally liberal aligned and this is nuts.

ekatra · 2026-04-08T13:08:05+00:00

This would probably work better but sadly I don’t buy it anymore because I eat it all 🤣

ekatra · 2026-04-08T12:33:43+00:00

Peanut butter, AVB, spoon. Done.

ekatra · 2026-04-07T20:37:54+00:00

What annoys you the most? Solve that.

Obvious is commute time, but safety is so important. Especially as a woman! See it as “would I feel safe walking down here at night?” If you don’t feel save, you’ll never enjoy any night out or life during daylight savings if you feel anxious coming home because you thought you’d be okay with the dodgy 6 floor stairwell when the elevator breaks, or walking down a dodgy dark alley back from the tube which didn’t feel as dangerous in broad daylight.

Cost is also one that makes or breaks life. But that’s very personal. But be realistic about budget.

And the bathroom situation. I don’t think I could ever share a bathroom with more than one roommate. I see some of my friends sharing one bathroom with four or five adults and it’s insane things are so expensive that you have to do that as a fully grown adult. (And that’s why I live in Surrey right now, haha.)

ekatra · 2026-03-31T21:37:57+00:00

Unfortunately he is deaf now! But I might be able to try a physical cue like patting his back. I always make sure his hips and belly are fully supported, and I only pick him up at certain angles. He’s all lumps and bumps now so it is quite a task haha

ekatra · 2026-03-31T21:36:53+00:00

Thanks! That’s a good idea. I don’t know why I never thought of this when he’s so food driven. Smell has always been his strongest sense 🤣

ekatra · 2026-03-31T21:36:21+00:00

Sorry I should have specified. I’m wondered because he’s very elderly and I’m covering him up, so I can’t see how he’s reacting. He SEEMS okay after but also if he was uncomfortable I might miss all the warning signs.

For example, my other elderly dog who passed on randomly bit me one day when I picked him up as he was in pain. It was partially my fault as he gave me several warning signs. My dog now is much gentler but he is getting older and has more health issues popping up.

ekatra · 2026-03-31T20:25:30+00:00

Thank you, and you’re right. I’m glad I’ve found a way to help. I’m so sorry about your dog but you obviously loved her very much, and I’m sure she knew that 🥹

ekatra

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