Anyone here a Cop?

[Soul.Trader]

Lately I've been considering a career in the police force. I'm currently a 22 year old, studying and working as a junior accountant. However, although I'm passionate about business and finance, it's not a terribly exciting way to spend my 20's. Also, it will take me years to work up to a decent wage doing what I'm doing.

I like the idea of becoming a policeman, but only if I could stay in Tauranga. I also like the idea of ending up in the Financial Crimes unit, but not before cutting my teeth for at least a few years on the beat.

Is there anyone here who is currently a cop who can give me some advice on what the job is REALLY like? What are my chances of getting to stay in Tauranga? Or at worst, working in Rotorua until something becomes available here?

Thanks.

[Mole_C]

I'm currently in the process of joining. I suggest ringing 0800 NEWCOPS and going to a local seminar. Start training your fitness and sit the tests whenever you can. Some places have long waiting lists so if you are looking at Tauranga you may have to wait a year or 2 before an opening comes up to go do the training.

So just start the process ASAP and you can always turn it down later if you change your mind :niceone:

[R6_kid]

there are more than a few around, no doubt they'll contact you via PM to let you know what you're asking.

[sAsLEX]

yvan eht nioj?

[Usarka]

I'm deep undercover.

Are you messaging me on KB? I don't know you. Who is this? Don't come here, I'm disconnecting! Prank caller, prank caller!

[Finn]

I like the idea of becoming a policeman, but only if I could stay in Tauranga. I also like the idea of ending up in the Financial Crimes unit, but not before cutting my teeth for at least a few years on the beat.

I'm sure those little shits selling lemonade on the side of the road aren't declaring their income. Bastards!

[What?]

I like the idea of becoming a policeman, but only if I could stay in Tauranga. I also like the idea of ending up in the Financial Crimes unit...

I'm sure there's positions like that come up every week.:whistle:

[Soul.Trader]

:girlfight:

LOL, but yeah, I should have clarified. Financial Crimes is based in Wellington. Me and the missus lived in Welly for a year and loved it, so would be keen to return one day.

[The Pastor]

I also like the idea of ending up in the Financial Crimes unit,


Err you WANT to be a traffic cop??

[Finn]

Me and the missus lived in Welly for a year and loved it, so would be keen to return one day.

Now I know you're taking the piss.

[Soul.Trader]

Now I know you're taking the piss.

In fairness though, you're an Aucklander, so you already have a deluded idea of what makes a city great ;)

[quallman1234]

Try Dingoz, He's not a cop cop but he's part of the force and will know a couple things about training and stufffffffffff. Good guy too :cool:

[Usarka]

In fairness though, you're an Aucklander, so you already have a deluded idea of what makes a city great ;)

No aucklanders have a very clear idea of what makes a city shit. and if the main city is that bad then pull the plug now!

[spudchucka]

Despite the negative crap that goes along with the job it is a great occupation and I would recommend it to anyone that was keen on giving it a go.

Tauranga is one of those stations that people are attracted to so you will probably find it is quite competitive and there could be long waiting lists.

However having said that I have a good friend that joined in Tauranga, they found him to be a very attractive candidate and he was able to leap frog the waiting list.

As already stated you should get in the system as soon as possible because things can change suddenly. It only takes a few staff to leave or get promoted and suddenly there are holes in the ranks that need to be filled with new recruits.

[Soul.Trader]

Any tips on what will help make a recruit attractive to them? I'm 22, reasonably fit, and have excellent working records. I'm also a Trooper in the NZ Army Territorials. I'm not worried about getting in - I'm more than sure I can exceed minimum standards - but I definately want to get a job in the Bay, particularly in Tauranga. What about internal transfers? Eg, working in Rotorua for a while until something opens up in Tauranga?

[jahrasti]

As everyone else here has said go and do it, you will love it. Tauranga is a popular place. As a candidate the recruiter will tell you the waiting list and as Spud said if you have the goods it can be sped up. Another option could be going to another station in your district. A good mate went to a different station to speed up the waiting list and he loves it now.
But once again as everyone has said start the process. I actually started it then put it off for 2 years but then carried it on no problems.

[spudchucka]

Any tips on what will help make a recruit attractive to them? I'm 22, reasonably fit, and have excellent working records. I'm also a Trooper in the NZ Army Territorials. I'm not worried about getting in - I'm more than sure I can exceed minimum standards - but I definately want to get a job in the Bay, particularly in Tauranga. What about internal transfers? Eg, working in Rotorua for a while until something opens up in Tauranga?

Its hard to say just what would make you a top candidate. You obviously have a high level of intelligence and fitness as a territorial soldier. Attitude is a big thing but that's hard to coach a person on without knowing them. Then there's the pshyc tests they put you through, who knows what that crap tells them.

One of the biggest things is what your referees say about you and when you do your SCOPE, (ride along with the cops you would be working with) what the cops you are assigned to say about you. You have to remember that throughout the recruitment process from first application to graduation from the college you will be under intense scrutiny the whole time, you may not realise it but they will be watching you intently.

Plenty of people do take postings at second choice stations with a view to transferring to their preferred station at a later date. Its not always easy to get they transfers you want but it does happen. You have to remember though that Tauranga is a popular destination and there will be considerable competition for jobs there.

Rotorua or Whakatane would be good second choice stations for you.

[Fatjim]

I'd say you'll not notice too much difference at parties. Accountant jokes and police jokes usually have the same punchlines.

[Drum]

Not to put a dampener on your keeness, but I would think that the Police force would be a lot less financially satisfying than your current career (unless you get on the Rickards of course).

[Soul.Trader]

Junior accounting is not very lucrative - to make any money in accounting, you have to do it for a long time. Besides which, I enjoy accounting from a business point of view, but the actual work itself is no very stimulating. Later in life, I want to run my own business.

[marty]

I'm with Spud. It is a rewarding career, that has many many opportunities. Tauranga/Mount used to be very hard to fill stations, as it is quite expensive to live there, and progression through the ranks was slow due to the work-to-retirement nature of the older staff working there. It has got a lot better now though, and at one stage Mt Maunganui was really short of full timers.

It will take you about 5 years minimum in Tauranga to get a Detective qualification, which may lead you into the fraud squad. A bigger station like Auckland will lead you into this field a little quicker (like 4 years) but you will be living at the station and at court.

If you wanted to be a Detective then a Sergeant, it's more like 7 years. These are based on: time to permanent appointment, 2 years. Detective constable, 2 years. Drinking piss, hooning around, checking out persons of interest on the Mt main beach, 2 years. Minimum :)

[Taz]

So you don't want to be a cop in south Auckland??

[Usarka]

So you don't want to be a cop in south Auckland??

I don't think he does. But that's just a wild stab in the dark.....

[Disco Dan]

Good on you for wanting to join up, when I was younger I gave the training a go.. but the wouldn't have me... apparently I have been too much of a 'bad boy' ;)

Just dont come looking for me when you a fully fledged income officer ;)

Good luck :bleh:

[Soul.Trader]

So you don't want to be a cop in south Auckland??

No, I'm really not interested in that type of posting to be honest. Not least of all because I hate Auckland passionately :wari:

[sAsLEX]

progression through the ranks was slow due to the work-to-retirement nature of the older staff working there.




This interests me.


Is progression reliant on positions being available above your current position? Spud seemed to suggest you can race up the ranks if those above you leave , is there time and qualification requirements for each rank/rate?

[marty]

Absolutely it does - if the positions are not available you can't fill them. There is a lot of movement around the country with people taking promotion - especially from constable to sergeant.

There are plenty of pre-promotion qualification hoops to jump through - it's not like the old MOT where service was the primary qualification for promotion.

[sAsLEX]

Absolutely it does - if the positions are not available you can't fill them. There is a lot of movement around the country with people taking promotion - especially from constable to sergeant.


Does the police have a rotation policy to keep fresh minds coming into positions or can people sit in their little niche/empire once they find it?

[spudchucka]

Not to put a dampener on your keeness, but I would think that the Police force would be a lot less financially satisfying than your current career (unless you get on the Rickards of course).

The super package is very good and the starting salary is pretty good for a 22 year old.

[sAsLEX]

The super package is very good and the starting salary is pretty good for a 22 year old.

Does the starting salary change with age?

[Mully]

Man, I'd say go for it.

I was keen to join, but my eyes were too bad, and I needed laser correction. By the time I could afford LASIK, I was earning too much to take the pay cut to join (I had a mortgage). Plus I'd eaten a whole lot of pies in the meantime, so I'd put on a fair few KGs.

[spudchucka]

This interests me.


Is progression reliant on positions being available above your current position? Spud seemed to suggest you can race up the ranks if those above you leave , is there time and qualification requirements for each rank/rate?

Each rank requires the staff member to have achieved certain levels of qualification before they can be eligible to apply for promotional jobs.

In order to attain promotion there has to be a position available and these are advertised nationally in the police staff news that is published fortnightly. To get promotion you need to apply for the job as you would for any job, you are short-listed and the preferred candidates are interviewed by a panel of four, usually made up of a mixture of police and civilians.

Time in the job isn't really relevant if you are meeting the person specifications and promotional study requirements for the position. However, time in the job will obviously make you a more experienced candidate and therefore probably more desirable than a person with less service.

Some people do rocket through the ranks but they still have to have completed all the study requirements and present as a better all round candidate than anyone else applying for the same job. There do seem to be some promotions that stink of political correctness but that's just the world we live in now it seems.

The comment you referred to about racing up the ranks was actually about racing through the recruitment process, not the promotional process. The typical recruit might spend 18 months - 2 years on a waiting list once they have passed all of the recruitment processes. I have seen people leap frog the waiting lists because they are exceptional candidates that the police don't want to lose to other occupations if they are left to wait.

[DUCATI*HARD]

fuckn pigshit!!!:2guns:

[spudchucka]

Such a mature contribution, thank you so much for your valuable input. I especially liked the originality of your post, well done.

[Taz]

Luckily most of us from franklin aren't of such lowly intelligence as DUCATI*TARD.

[DUCATI*HARD]

Luckily most of us from franklin aren't of such lowly intelligence as DUCATI*TARD.

well TAMPAX,,,go give your copper mates some head,,,im sure you got the longest tounge:bleh:

[jahrasti]

well TAMPAX,,,go give your copper mates some head,,,im sure you got the longest tounge:bleh:

You should think of writing a book with the witty retorts that you have.

[nick69]

Soul.Trader forget all the crap people post on here most just have an axe to grind cos they have been caught speeding or worse! I have been in for 13 years and wouldnt do anything else despite people having a go at us. But where would they be without us and who are the first people they call in times of crisis!!! Its a great job which you can diversify in later, theres so much you can do and financial crime is a good part of the job if you are inclined that way. I am a traffic man myself (cue the jokes and critical posts) but if you want a job that is secure with good prospects and a great social life then join we will welcome you with open arms Contact your local station and see if someone will take you out for a couple of duties for you to see what we really do! If you need any help drop me a line. Good luck:Police:

[Max Preload]

But where would they be without us and who are the first people they call in times of crisis!!!

That's changing rapidly. Better to just keep it quiet these days and dish out some vigilante justice later on, rather than go on record with a grudge against someone only to have the criminal's acts ignored. Two 'wrongs' do make a right, despite what our parents tried to tell us.

But I digress...

[Soul.Trader]

Cheers Nick.

[SixPackBack]

That's changing rapidly. Better to just keep it quiet these days and dish out some vigilante justice later on, rather than go on record with a grudge against someone only to have the criminal's acts ignored. Two 'wrongs' do make a right, despite what our parents tried to tell us.

But I digress...

Not a real fan of our Police/Justice system but....'vigilante justice' as you so call is not the answer. Two 'wrongs' end in double the tragedy or more likely double the jail time.
Be the better man.:calm:

[madandy]

Tauranga needs more cops!
FFS set up an Omokoroa Stn. We're fucking sick of being ignored out here.

[Usarka]

FFS set up an Omokoroa Stn. We're fucking sick of being ignored out here.

Where?????

[madandy]

Omokoroa. Arguably Tauranga's finest and a fast growing suburb.

[scumdog]

Give it a go, it's great, you get to run stark naked after would-be car nickers.

Seriously, it's not a bad job and job security is pretty good too but you have to develope a thick skin and a sick sense of humour.

Get fit, get your grey-matter into gear and give it a shot, the only negative aspect I've found lately is leave is not always granted when you want it. (Usual story - not enough staff) so you miss rallies etc....

[Curious_AJ]

toaster could probably give you some hints here. (shoot me if he's already posted.)

[scorpious]

i had a friend join the police force, he only lasted about 3 months, he said they just brainwash the ppl during training like nobodys busness!!

[scumdog]

i had a friend join the police force, he only lasted about 3 months, he said they just brainwash the ppl during training like nobodys busness!!

Hogwash!

He must have come from a sheltered background - or was very young.

I am the same now as I was before I joined, none of my mates have ever said "Jeez, YOU'VE changed" since I joined - and none of 'em have distanced themselves from me either.

But I did have a black belt in cynicism before I joined though....

[Animal]

i had a friend join the police force, he only lasted about 3 months, he said they just brainwash the ppl during training like nobodys busness!!

Hmmm... sounds to me like your friend wasn't up to standard but rather than admit this, came up with this weak excuse for dropping out. :crybaby: Forgive my skepticism.

[Soul.Trader]

i had a friend join the police force, he only lasted about 3 months, he said they just brainwash the ppl during training like nobodys busness!!

Meh, as a territorial soldier, I can handle a bit of military regimentality.

[scumdog]

Hmmm... sounds to me like your friend wasn't up to standard but rather than admit this, came up with this weak excuse for dropping out. :crybaby: Forgive my skepticism.

I feel that may well be what happened.

Either they felt he was not up to scratch -or he found it too hard.

He must have had an inkling of what it was like before he joined eh?

[jahrasti]

i had a friend join the police force, he only lasted about 3 months, he said they just brainwash the ppl during training like nobodys busness!!

Can't say I noticed that, but I was brainwashed by the military beforehand.

If ya go to college with the attitude that it is hard work and you are prepared to put the yards in, you will fly through.

Remember college is only 5 months, mearly a blip on the radar.