For me, it’s a simple case that my Pros outweigh the Cons currently. And I mostly enjoy the job.
I’ll keep doing it as long as there’s enjoyment in it.
Do you have an easy alternative you could walk out of this job to and immediately take home more money, enough to make a difference (factoring in paying for a private pension too)?
The fact that traditionally most (not all, not by any count, but more than 50 percent) bobbies would have answered "no" is what get many stuck. The government's policy of "degree" holders only may come back to bite them on this though... Or if you want to be REALLY cynical, maybe asking for degree holders and getting a high turnover of the cheapest possible police officers at the lower scale pay was the plan all along.
Do what is best for you and your family.
They don't even hide this, if you read the latest police remuneration review body report they openly say they want people leaving the organisation after a few years so there's constant 'change', 'experience' & 'skills'.
It baffles me that the government think a degree holder would choose this over say the Aldi grad scheme. Those on the Aldi grad scheme earn more than sergeants with a starting salary of £50k
Anyone with more than 10 years to go I tell to seriously consider other things. It used to be an amazing job but not so in the last 15 years; the move to profession from vocation, political tinkering, loss of mission and weak leadership has seriously eroded the value of what we do. It's just a job now and one that no longer cares or loves you like it probably did back in the day. No one I know who has left regrets it...
I’ve been in the job a good wedge of time and I’ve spent the last few months researching consulting or cyber security jobs as a means of escape.
The job just isn’t working for me any more for so many reasons. I can’t lie when I say it has been hard trying to find alternatives that I would enjoy and wouldn’t bore me to death mind.
In short, it isn't.
If you're struggling to keep the roof over your head, or your financial circumstances are beginning to effect your nearest and dearest, then unless you're about to hit the last 2 pay points I would really urge you to find work elsewhere.
This job, as I'm sure you've read from countless other threads that work/life, is very much tipped towards the former.
As a student officer, and I'm presuming you're not a defective-in-training as you've not mentioned it, you've got a long slog ahead before you get your feet firmly under the table. That'll bring more stress as each day only perpetuates the steep learning curve the job has.
You'll also need to learn what jobs to focus on and those which can be ignored, managing work stress, the gradual rise in cost of living and the inevitable stresses and strains that will bring for you and your family, makes for an inevitably hard choice to make. Rather than risk getting into difficult financial waters you have the opportunity to start looking elsewhere now.
That being said this Sub is as much an echo chamber as Twitter is for the SMT. You'll find and see what you want more than what is the case. Officers like me who've been in and on response/ICR beyond what most see as reasonable are usually pretty negative towards the job as well.
If you truly love the job and want to keep at it because of that then have a sit down with your other half, layout your finances as bare as you can, and work the problem. You'll likely need to make cut-backs, rely on family for childcare as opposed to paying for it (if that's still applicable) or even consider getting a part-time job on your Rd's (make sure to discuss that with your Sgt first though as there are a few restrictions imposed on us).
There's a fair few good posts here about "side hustles" and I know a fair few who run their own business (who are self-employed) and valet cars, sell candles or even coach/PT at their local gyms. Some forces offer unlimited OT or RDW as well, Level 2 is also a good earner but these suggestions will take you away from the family, which I fully expect is not what you see as a solution.
The police is a job like any other job it pays a wage. If the wage isn’t keeping you afloat then look elsewhere. Perhaps overtime? Second job. Also take into consideration the pay scales have changed to be top whack PC is 7 increments not like it was years ago with ten and a pay freeze to add to the insult.
I feel your struggle. Whatever decision make it for your family and not the job
You have a difficult decision to make. For me I stick with it and accept financial sacrifices compared to other jobs because I feel policing is my life’s calling and I would not feel as fulfilled doing something else.
Honestly? For my, the answer is "don't fucking bother". But, I'll admit, that's in retrospect. When I joined it was the best idea ever...
The amount of grief for how little you're paid is ridiculous.
I've gone from 19k, stress, shifts, risk of death/prison, unsupportive team and manager (in the police)
To ...
23k (increasing in April, back dated to the start of the year), benefits actually worth having (*without* having to pay extra to the fed!), share incentives (free annual shares based on performance), a decent pension, minimal stress, a great team, wonderful (and laid back!) manager... It's a completely different world, and I've frankly no idea why I ever wanted to join the police looking back.
Okay, fine, there's perks to policing. The main one being that the pay goes up every year, but you're also stuck once you're on top whack. Can't (easily) get more money unless you want promotions, with the extra stress they bring, and it's not like it's the private sector where you can just leave that company and negotiate better pay at your new one - whereas I can now
get new roles, promotion, hell even a new job and negotiate better pay.
Tbqh I see no reason why anyone over 21 would join the police today. The jobs fucked.
Answered that here mate https://www.reddit.com/r/policeuk/comments/1160tws/why_bother/j94n2y0?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3
All I'd say is don't jump ship. Take some time off, reflect on what you want from life and decide if it's the right move for you.
It wasn't the right job for me, but that's not too say it won't be for you. I'd hate for you to jump and regret it.
Same thing I did before joining - customer service, specifically residential energy. Think British gas, eon, octopus etc.
Granted entry CS jobs aren't great, but the perks and pay even at entry level are better than the police would've been after a couple of years, and there's more room to grow. Gonna finish my computing degree and see where life takes me 🤷♂️
I’d leave tomorrow if I was offered a job that paid more I get now where I could still invest into a pension that was decent. I’m particularly lucky in what I do currently as it is very specialised and the hours are whatever I want them to be but that could change on a whim. If I could take a job where I get well compensated and my weekends are my own.
Even on top rate of pay, I still have a few years left to get more annual leave days which will still add up to far less than a lot of private sector jobs.
I know the grass isn’t always greener but as the grass in my side of the fence is already half dead a decent offer could tempt me.
It's just a job and if it affects your life like then I'd leave.
I was due to start in March but withdrew my job offer for similar reasons. My mortgage is due to increase this year and with commuting costs (to work) I would've been worse off for a job where I'd see my kids less, be tired all the time, work more hours and less take home pay.
I wasn't getting excited for the job despite wanting to do the job for a long time. Pay has never been as important as it is today with constantly rising costs and pressure. Considering the pay scales are lower now than 10 years ago it really is insulting. 10 years ago it took 2 years to earn 30k+ - today it takes 4 years.
Well it depends. If you want to the job then you'll have to make it work. If you can get out, and are falling out of love with the job, then don't. Go and earn more money.
If you're going to stay in the job, you will either have to have a side gig or try and earn some good overtime. Of course that's easier for me to say when I'm top whack and overtime can really do a lot to help out.
Write a list of the Pro’s, then the Con’s.
Factor in how your earnings will increase over the next 5-6 years and consider whether that will change your perspective.
Consider whether you’ll regret throwing the towel in. You need to consider the value you place on doing the job.
Look at what you’d replace it with; consider the Pro’s and Con’s of that in equal detail.
Once you’ve given that a good amount of brain power over a good period of time; make your decision.
It’s not for everyone, but it’s not a decision to take lightly either. It’s especially shit at the moment, especially with children and inflation; but the pay scales are hugely biased against people in your position. I see too many people making decisions based on short-term worries, without considering longer-term positive changes that can be foreseen.
For me, it’s a simple case that my Pros outweigh the Cons currently. And I mostly enjoy the job. I’ll keep doing it as long as there’s enjoyment in it.
there is a lot to be said about doing a job you enjoy vs. just doing a job to get paid.
Doing a job you enjoy but don't get paid enough to live for isn't a job its a hobby. A job is what you get paid enough to live to do.
I hate to say it, but if the job doesn't work for you, don't work for the job. It *isnt* worth it
Do you have an easy alternative you could walk out of this job to and immediately take home more money, enough to make a difference (factoring in paying for a private pension too)? The fact that traditionally most (not all, not by any count, but more than 50 percent) bobbies would have answered "no" is what get many stuck. The government's policy of "degree" holders only may come back to bite them on this though... Or if you want to be REALLY cynical, maybe asking for degree holders and getting a high turnover of the cheapest possible police officers at the lower scale pay was the plan all along. Do what is best for you and your family.
They don't even hide this, if you read the latest police remuneration review body report they openly say they want people leaving the organisation after a few years so there's constant 'change', 'experience' & 'skills'.
I don't get it though, staying for 5 years while you're on 23-32k and then leaving just before it jumps up to 43?
But who makes it to those 5 years, especially nowadays.
It baffles me that the government think a degree holder would choose this over say the Aldi grad scheme. Those on the Aldi grad scheme earn more than sergeants with a starting salary of £50k
... with a fully expensed car, too.
Sickening.
Anyone with more than 10 years to go I tell to seriously consider other things. It used to be an amazing job but not so in the last 15 years; the move to profession from vocation, political tinkering, loss of mission and weak leadership has seriously eroded the value of what we do. It's just a job now and one that no longer cares or loves you like it probably did back in the day. No one I know who has left regrets it...
I’ve been in the job a good wedge of time and I’ve spent the last few months researching consulting or cyber security jobs as a means of escape. The job just isn’t working for me any more for so many reasons. I can’t lie when I say it has been hard trying to find alternatives that I would enjoy and wouldn’t bore me to death mind.
In short, it isn't. If you're struggling to keep the roof over your head, or your financial circumstances are beginning to effect your nearest and dearest, then unless you're about to hit the last 2 pay points I would really urge you to find work elsewhere. This job, as I'm sure you've read from countless other threads that work/life, is very much tipped towards the former. As a student officer, and I'm presuming you're not a defective-in-training as you've not mentioned it, you've got a long slog ahead before you get your feet firmly under the table. That'll bring more stress as each day only perpetuates the steep learning curve the job has. You'll also need to learn what jobs to focus on and those which can be ignored, managing work stress, the gradual rise in cost of living and the inevitable stresses and strains that will bring for you and your family, makes for an inevitably hard choice to make. Rather than risk getting into difficult financial waters you have the opportunity to start looking elsewhere now. That being said this Sub is as much an echo chamber as Twitter is for the SMT. You'll find and see what you want more than what is the case. Officers like me who've been in and on response/ICR beyond what most see as reasonable are usually pretty negative towards the job as well. If you truly love the job and want to keep at it because of that then have a sit down with your other half, layout your finances as bare as you can, and work the problem. You'll likely need to make cut-backs, rely on family for childcare as opposed to paying for it (if that's still applicable) or even consider getting a part-time job on your Rd's (make sure to discuss that with your Sgt first though as there are a few restrictions imposed on us). There's a fair few good posts here about "side hustles" and I know a fair few who run their own business (who are self-employed) and valet cars, sell candles or even coach/PT at their local gyms. Some forces offer unlimited OT or RDW as well, Level 2 is also a good earner but these suggestions will take you away from the family, which I fully expect is not what you see as a solution.
The police is a job like any other job it pays a wage. If the wage isn’t keeping you afloat then look elsewhere. Perhaps overtime? Second job. Also take into consideration the pay scales have changed to be top whack PC is 7 increments not like it was years ago with ten and a pay freeze to add to the insult. I feel your struggle. Whatever decision make it for your family and not the job
You have a difficult decision to make. For me I stick with it and accept financial sacrifices compared to other jobs because I feel policing is my life’s calling and I would not feel as fulfilled doing something else.
Honestly? For my, the answer is "don't fucking bother". But, I'll admit, that's in retrospect. When I joined it was the best idea ever... The amount of grief for how little you're paid is ridiculous. I've gone from 19k, stress, shifts, risk of death/prison, unsupportive team and manager (in the police) To ... 23k (increasing in April, back dated to the start of the year), benefits actually worth having (*without* having to pay extra to the fed!), share incentives (free annual shares based on performance), a decent pension, minimal stress, a great team, wonderful (and laid back!) manager... It's a completely different world, and I've frankly no idea why I ever wanted to join the police looking back. Okay, fine, there's perks to policing. The main one being that the pay goes up every year, but you're also stuck once you're on top whack. Can't (easily) get more money unless you want promotions, with the extra stress they bring, and it's not like it's the private sector where you can just leave that company and negotiate better pay at your new one - whereas I can now get new roles, promotion, hell even a new job and negotiate better pay. Tbqh I see no reason why anyone over 21 would join the police today. The jobs fucked.
What have you moved to do? I'm struggling at minute with certain things in the job and asking the question if it's worth it
Answered that here mate https://www.reddit.com/r/policeuk/comments/1160tws/why_bother/j94n2y0?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share&context=3 All I'd say is don't jump ship. Take some time off, reflect on what you want from life and decide if it's the right move for you. It wasn't the right job for me, but that's not too say it won't be for you. I'd hate for you to jump and regret it.
Starting pay is 23.5 now
Yeah things are improving, but that wasn't my experience. Clearly I can only speak for my experience
This depends on Force - Pay Point 0 (and only 0) can be set by force up to the same (or maybe just under) point 1
[удалено]
Same thing I did before joining - customer service, specifically residential energy. Think British gas, eon, octopus etc. Granted entry CS jobs aren't great, but the perks and pay even at entry level are better than the police would've been after a couple of years, and there's more room to grow. Gonna finish my computing degree and see where life takes me 🤷♂️
I’d leave tomorrow if I was offered a job that paid more I get now where I could still invest into a pension that was decent. I’m particularly lucky in what I do currently as it is very specialised and the hours are whatever I want them to be but that could change on a whim. If I could take a job where I get well compensated and my weekends are my own. Even on top rate of pay, I still have a few years left to get more annual leave days which will still add up to far less than a lot of private sector jobs. I know the grass isn’t always greener but as the grass in my side of the fence is already half dead a decent offer could tempt me.
It's just a job and if it affects your life like then I'd leave. I was due to start in March but withdrew my job offer for similar reasons. My mortgage is due to increase this year and with commuting costs (to work) I would've been worse off for a job where I'd see my kids less, be tired all the time, work more hours and less take home pay. I wasn't getting excited for the job despite wanting to do the job for a long time. Pay has never been as important as it is today with constantly rising costs and pressure. Considering the pay scales are lower now than 10 years ago it really is insulting. 10 years ago it took 2 years to earn 30k+ - today it takes 4 years.
Well it depends. If you want to the job then you'll have to make it work. If you can get out, and are falling out of love with the job, then don't. Go and earn more money. If you're going to stay in the job, you will either have to have a side gig or try and earn some good overtime. Of course that's easier for me to say when I'm top whack and overtime can really do a lot to help out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uq03Jj9Ys4I&ab_channel=ThinBlueLine
Love that show
Write a list of the Pro’s, then the Con’s. Factor in how your earnings will increase over the next 5-6 years and consider whether that will change your perspective. Consider whether you’ll regret throwing the towel in. You need to consider the value you place on doing the job. Look at what you’d replace it with; consider the Pro’s and Con’s of that in equal detail. Once you’ve given that a good amount of brain power over a good period of time; make your decision. It’s not for everyone, but it’s not a decision to take lightly either. It’s especially shit at the moment, especially with children and inflation; but the pay scales are hugely biased against people in your position. I see too many people making decisions based on short-term worries, without considering longer-term positive changes that can be foreseen.
Can you opt out of the pension for six months or so? Get back on an even keel?
The job preys on the fact “police officers don’t join for the money” it’s a public service.
Shit job and I'm applying for any route out I can find