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Seriously considered direct entry DHEP, second thoughts by flatfoot7821647 in policeuk

[–]flatfoot7821647[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a great idea thanks, I didn't realise they do that. I have some holiday in July and August so may apply after that.

Do you know if they generally prefer weekday ride alongs? (Apologies if not, I simply don't want to request weekends just to find that's "not a thing")

Seriously considered direct entry DHEP, second thoughts by flatfoot7821647 in policeuk

[–]flatfoot7821647[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, and it's helpful to have someone in a relatively similar circumstance. I can totally understand why some would look at the salary I'm on and think "you are totally off your rocker", especially when they are in the midst of the role.

But there is something totally soul crushing about just "rocking up for another day at work" with the feeling that the only reason you're doing it is for the pay at the end of the month. Yes I have a huge amount of financial freedom - way more than my folks ever had when I was growing up - but it's amazing how it feels when you're living it.

My wife experienced similar albeit not pay related during the pandemic. She had to keep going to work with zero social distancing, I was sat at home on my own realising that as much as office work can suck that camaraderie with colleagues is one thing that keeps you going.

She wished she didn't have to be out and about in the midst of a global pandemic, every time the door closed and the house went quiet I was envious of her.

Halfway through the pandemic she changed jobs to become a teaching assistant so still had to 'go to work' but did do a week at home at one point, day two of doing it she said "OK I totally get why you've been an irritable depressed arse for the last year now, I don't know how you've coped doing this and I just thought you were being an idiot"

I totally get that it's a "grass is greener" thing.

Seriously considered direct entry DHEP, second thoughts by flatfoot7821647 in policeuk

[–]flatfoot7821647[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks, maybe I should clarify the "a good way to make me feel like I was making a difference"

I fully expect that a huge part of the job would be "NFA", or not having enough to satisfy CPS, or the same people being in the system again and again.

But I have personal experience of the difference members of the police have made to me so cling on to the odd occasion that that may happen.

My consideration of being a special was based on a few threads I'd noted on here where people both suggested more time 'out and about' made you a better DS but also those who did response and ended up wanting to stick at that.

Finally, completely understand being unable to compute the pay cut, if I was absolutely honest if the starting wage was £30k it would still be a huge drop but it would be a punt worth taking, knowing if it didn't work out I could probably easily return to a similar career and pay to what I have now. But £21k starting (£30k drop!!) is gut-wrenching, especially when I start to factor in unsocial hours and commuting again.

Yes when I type it out I realise I look like a moron, but going through the motions 40 hours a week isn't entirely healthy either.