Police promotion
Discussion
Some ramblings...
I have been in the Police for approaching 14 years and I am currently a PC on a traffic unit - something I enjoy
I have a young family and have realised that time seems to be passing by incredibly quickly - I'm knocking on the door of being halfway through my career and I'm starting to think about my options...
Do I stay as a PC, in a role which I love, or do I look to leave the unit and chase promotion? There is unfortunately no opportunity for promotion within traffic so I would be returning to divisional Policing and the current mess it is in...
I have been told by colleagues of varying rank to look at promotion and appreciate the long term pension benefits as well as the increase in pay. We can earn alot of overtime on traffic so it's not a massive pay rise (if at all) and wouldn't be unless I got promoted upto the Inspecting ranks - that said not having to work as much overtime would be nice...
I'm struggling to find non-bias opinions which is why I'm asking about this on a motoring forum - has anyone left a job they loved chasing promotion and regretted it? Is life too short to chase money and a decent pension at the cost of leaving behind a job you enjoy?
I have my eyes wide open in regards to the potential of me not being able to return to RPU in the future (as a Sgt etc) and the thought of leaving a role that I have worked so hard to get into (and I'm good at) scares me abit/alot.
Cheers
I have been in the Police for approaching 14 years and I am currently a PC on a traffic unit - something I enjoy
I have a young family and have realised that time seems to be passing by incredibly quickly - I'm knocking on the door of being halfway through my career and I'm starting to think about my options...
Do I stay as a PC, in a role which I love, or do I look to leave the unit and chase promotion? There is unfortunately no opportunity for promotion within traffic so I would be returning to divisional Policing and the current mess it is in...
I have been told by colleagues of varying rank to look at promotion and appreciate the long term pension benefits as well as the increase in pay. We can earn alot of overtime on traffic so it's not a massive pay rise (if at all) and wouldn't be unless I got promoted upto the Inspecting ranks - that said not having to work as much overtime would be nice...
I'm struggling to find non-bias opinions which is why I'm asking about this on a motoring forum - has anyone left a job they loved chasing promotion and regretted it? Is life too short to chase money and a decent pension at the cost of leaving behind a job you enjoy?
I have my eyes wide open in regards to the potential of me not being able to return to RPU in the future (as a Sgt etc) and the thought of leaving a role that I have worked so hard to get into (and I'm good at) scares me abit/alot.
Cheers
Ultimately this is down to you and you only as only you know how you feel, I know of a few people who have left the industry i work in for what they considered to be bettering themselves whether that's money or a potential promotion to return within no time saying the grass isn't always greener despite the issues we complain of in our current roles.
Is it an option for you to go back to traffic at all if leaving it for a career advancement doesn't work out? I know you've kind of answered that question but if there's even a slight chance it might help you decide.
Is it an option for you to go back to traffic at all if leaving it for a career advancement doesn't work out? I know you've kind of answered that question but if there's even a slight chance it might help you decide.
Tricky. I worked for the police for a number of years. I was a Stawberry but surrounded by coppers, mostly senior.
One thing I recall is once you reach Insp you stop getting overtime, whether you have to do it or not. Not sure if that is the same in all forces but something to consider once you start climbing the ladder.
Sgt always seemed a difficult role, not a great deal more pay but a lot of arse ache. Insp even worse. CI was a dumping ground mostly for over promoted useless f
kers or those on the up and up.
Outside of police in my own career I chased progression. Yes you earn more and that's great for you and your family, but more money almost always equals more stress. So what's more important to you.
As a Black Rat you in a nice car most of the time and chasing down baddies. Of course you'll have to attend some horrific accidents. If you go for promotion what if end up in the computer crime unit having to trawl through paedos hard drives looking at the st they've been downloading. Or in major crimes dealing with rape and murder.
Sorry probably not offered much there in useful info but maybe prompted some further things to think about.
One thing I recall is once you reach Insp you stop getting overtime, whether you have to do it or not. Not sure if that is the same in all forces but something to consider once you start climbing the ladder.
Sgt always seemed a difficult role, not a great deal more pay but a lot of arse ache. Insp even worse. CI was a dumping ground mostly for over promoted useless f
kers or those on the up and up.Outside of police in my own career I chased progression. Yes you earn more and that's great for you and your family, but more money almost always equals more stress. So what's more important to you.
As a Black Rat you in a nice car most of the time and chasing down baddies. Of course you'll have to attend some horrific accidents. If you go for promotion what if end up in the computer crime unit having to trawl through paedos hard drives looking at the s
t they've been downloading. Or in major crimes dealing with rape and murder.Sorry probably not offered much there in useful info but maybe prompted some further things to think about.
Never say never but there is very very little chance of getting promoted within our RPU - the bosses like us to get experience within divisional policing and it creates a healthy churn (apparently).
I can see the benefits but I can also see all the time and money spent on me over the years being wasted managing a response team with no opportunity to use my skills/training.
There's no chance of RPU getting binned off due to budget cuts, we are already on our knees and our force area has a number of motorways/ strategic roads which need to be looked after.
Inspectors don't earn overtime at all, they are paid for 40 hours a week and any 'overtime' is time in the bank.
Traffic does mean decent cars and catching baddies - it does have mega downsides like the fatals etc.
Maybe I will do another year on traffic and then go for it.....
I can see the benefits but I can also see all the time and money spent on me over the years being wasted managing a response team with no opportunity to use my skills/training.
There's no chance of RPU getting binned off due to budget cuts, we are already on our knees and our force area has a number of motorways/ strategic roads which need to be looked after.
Inspectors don't earn overtime at all, they are paid for 40 hours a week and any 'overtime' is time in the bank.
Traffic does mean decent cars and catching baddies - it does have mega downsides like the fatals etc.
Maybe I will do another year on traffic and then go for it.....
I’d start with how much money do you need to lead the quality of like you desire through retirement and how long you want to work
If current job works you’ve an interesting decision (staying would not be a bad option), but if you’re falling short you may have to make some kind of a change?
If current job works you’ve an interesting decision (staying would not be a bad option), but if you’re falling short you may have to make some kind of a change?
So, I'm currently sat at 23 yrs in. 14 yrs of that on RPU, now spent the last 6 yrs in the driving school. I really wish I'd gone for promotion now I'm towards the end of my career (going at 25 yrs as I'll be 55).
I was enjoying RPU so much I missed out on the promotion thing as I would have had to go back on division, but in hindsight, I should have gone back as a Sgt, then waited for Sgt jobs to become available on RPU and then gone back.
But, it's a very individual choice. Personally, I wish I'd done it.
I was enjoying RPU so much I missed out on the promotion thing as I would have had to go back on division, but in hindsight, I should have gone back as a Sgt, then waited for Sgt jobs to become available on RPU and then gone back.
But, it's a very individual choice. Personally, I wish I'd done it.
This may be totally irrelevant - on the other hand, there may be some parallels.
My daughter is a patrol sergeant in our county Sheriffs Dept. She's been a Sheriffs Deputy since 2011 and gradually moved up the rank. She recently took and passed the Lieutenants exam and was immediately offered a Lieutenant position (albeit in another geographic sector - no big deal). However, she has not accepted it for a few reasons. Her comment is the further you rise in the ranks, the more political and less policing the job becomes. She would also lose overtime and off-duty opportunities and she would have to give up vehicle ops and tactical firearms training roles, which she really enjoys. What she earns in O/T and O/D pretty much equals the pay hike she'd enjoy with the promotion. That said, officers "on the rise" get noticed as potential high level candidates.
Police promotions tend to be a bit double-edged here - perhaps they are in UK too. The balancing act of work satisfaction vs increased income and prestige is a tough one.
Either way, I hope it works out best for you. Be safe, stay safe and get home safe - all in law enforcement.
My daughter is a patrol sergeant in our county Sheriffs Dept. She's been a Sheriffs Deputy since 2011 and gradually moved up the rank. She recently took and passed the Lieutenants exam and was immediately offered a Lieutenant position (albeit in another geographic sector - no big deal). However, she has not accepted it for a few reasons. Her comment is the further you rise in the ranks, the more political and less policing the job becomes. She would also lose overtime and off-duty opportunities and she would have to give up vehicle ops and tactical firearms training roles, which she really enjoys. What she earns in O/T and O/D pretty much equals the pay hike she'd enjoy with the promotion. That said, officers "on the rise" get noticed as potential high level candidates.
Police promotions tend to be a bit double-edged here - perhaps they are in UK too. The balancing act of work satisfaction vs increased income and prestige is a tough one.
Either way, I hope it works out best for you. Be safe, stay safe and get home safe - all in law enforcement.
I ended up as temp supt before I left and by far the most difficult rank was that of sergeant. I was fortunate enough to specialise in covert policing so there were plenty of opportunities for promotion and my specialism opened the door for some great roles. Of all the great cops I’ve worked with they’ve all agreed that the jumps after sergeant took fun away from the job and disproportionally increased stress.
The pension was my biggest draw for promotion but in my circumstances the pension increased between DC and DS was relatively arbitrary. It was only DI and after that I found my pension projections increase a lot so if you decide to stay at Sergeant that may be worth considering and getting a pension forcast before you decide. It may make a bigger difference on your pension.
The pension was my biggest draw for promotion but in my circumstances the pension increased between DC and DS was relatively arbitrary. It was only DI and after that I found my pension projections increase a lot so if you decide to stay at Sergeant that may be worth considering and getting a pension forcast before you decide. It may make a bigger difference on your pension.
Funny this post comes along now. I've been thinking about promotion in the future. I'm currently on traffic and loving it (ignoring this week mind you!). I've only got four and a half years total in so not thinking of it for a few years at least.
I don't (at the moment) want to leave traffic. It was always my goal. My force also seem to promote out of traffic and back to response/NPT or custody. Admittedly they take you back quickly when there are spaces (within a year for some). In my mind it'd madness as you are losing that investment you've put in to them as PCs.
The pay is what puts me off mainly. £49,000 to start with going up to £51,500 after three years. As a top whack PC it's £46,000. I personally don't think the £3,500/£5,500 extra a year is worth the stress. I'd rather just do overtime as a PC.
I don't (at the moment) want to leave traffic. It was always my goal. My force also seem to promote out of traffic and back to response/NPT or custody. Admittedly they take you back quickly when there are spaces (within a year for some). In my mind it'd madness as you are losing that investment you've put in to them as PCs.
The pay is what puts me off mainly. £49,000 to start with going up to £51,500 after three years. As a top whack PC it's £46,000. I personally don't think the £3,500/£5,500 extra a year is worth the stress. I'd rather just do overtime as a PC.
LosingGrip said:
Scabutz said:
Christmas party week and lots of drunk drivers?
I wish! That would mean I was out the office and not stuck in doing paperwork. It's the most complex investigation I've done to date. Wacky Racer said:
One of my lads is an inspector aged 34, (having started as a Special aged 18,) but he says in many ways he preferred it when he was on the beat as a PC.
Update.I sent a link to him, and as he is not a PH member, asked me to post this:-
Interesting.
I sort of echo the sentiments of other posters - it's down to individual choice and there's no benefit of hindsight. You might love it, you might regret it. Some posters have given good factors for consideration that only the OP can weigh against each other accordingly, namely:
1.) Love of current role
2.) Reason for promotion
3.) Lifestyle/pay requirements
4.) Pension benefits
5.) Stress now vs. potential future stress
I'm 34 and never chased promotion, or even joined the police, for the pay or pension. I'm just interested to see how capable I am and I've surprised myself. Never thought as a teenager I'd be doing what I do now. All things considered though, I preferred my time policing instead of politicking - but then mum is quick to remind me of all the times I moaned as a PC. Perhaps I have got rose-tinted glasses now, but in hindsight I think I preferred previous roles to my current one, though let's see how I find the new one. My predecessor said it was their best job and they only left it for promotion otherwise they wouldn't have given it up for anything. I could say the same about being a Custody Sgt; though with 20+ years left to do I doubt I'd have done more than another year or two in there.
The thing about policing is there's so many different roles at so many different ranks, that no one can really advise an individual because it's down to what they value most. The bottom line I'd say though, is there's a lot to be said for working where, with, and doing something that you enjoy. Money (and the stress that comes with it) really isn't everything.
Thank you all for the replies
I have been on RPU 5+ years - the other 9 have been spent mostly in proactive roles or on a response team. I'm nosey and a magnet for trouble so I have played to my strengths and avoided the Detective/ office 'pathway'.
I genuinely enjoy what I do but I find myself getting more critical of crap decision making further up the 'food chain' often by those in senior ranks with alot less service than I and I kind of want to do something about it, or at least understand why certain decisions are made.
I appreciate to have any influence I need to aiming higher than inspector but I need to start somewhere...
I have looked over the pension 'thing' and as per the above its only really at inspector level where you can really see the extra £££ - the increase in pension is important to me as I really want to look after my family in the future/ not be left wanting post retirement.
I have been on RPU 5+ years - the other 9 have been spent mostly in proactive roles or on a response team. I'm nosey and a magnet for trouble so I have played to my strengths and avoided the Detective/ office 'pathway'.
I genuinely enjoy what I do but I find myself getting more critical of crap decision making further up the 'food chain' often by those in senior ranks with alot less service than I and I kind of want to do something about it, or at least understand why certain decisions are made.
I appreciate to have any influence I need to aiming higher than inspector but I need to start somewhere...
I have looked over the pension 'thing' and as per the above its only really at inspector level where you can really see the extra £££ - the increase in pension is important to me as I really want to look after my family in the future/ not be left wanting post retirement.
I was Roads Policing/ARV/ Motorway for most of my career. I had to leave on promotion, but was able to get back after a few years away from the time.
I would seriously suggest you only go for promotion if you're looking at going up the ladder.
I enjoyed my time as a Sgt, but the last few years, 90% of my time was dealing with welfare issues, especially the young in service Officers who declare themselves to have an - ism.
There's huge demands placed on you to meet 'crime and public satisfaction' targets while seeing your shift numbers and cars being consistently cut.
There's a lot to be said for only having to look after yourself. Most of the PCs made more than I did as overtime opportunities were using restricted to Constables.
The grass is not always greener
I would seriously suggest you only go for promotion if you're looking at going up the ladder.
I enjoyed my time as a Sgt, but the last few years, 90% of my time was dealing with welfare issues, especially the young in service Officers who declare themselves to have an - ism.
There's huge demands placed on you to meet 'crime and public satisfaction' targets while seeing your shift numbers and cars being consistently cut.
There's a lot to be said for only having to look after yourself. Most of the PCs made more than I did as overtime opportunities were using restricted to Constables.
The grass is not always greener
P0PC0RN said:
Thank you all for the replies
I have been on RPU 5+ years - the other 9 have been spent mostly in proactive roles or on a response team. I'm nosey and a magnet for trouble so I have played to my strengths and avoided the Detective/ office 'pathway'.
I genuinely enjoy what I do but I find myself getting more critical of crap decision making further up the 'food chain' often by those in senior ranks with alot less service than I and I kind of want to do something about it, or at least understand why certain decisions are made.
I appreciate to have any influence I need to aiming higher than inspector but I need to start somewhere...
I have looked over the pension 'thing' and as per the above its only really at inspector level where you can really see the extra £££ - the increase in pension is important to me as I really want to look after my family in the future/ not be left wanting post retirement.
If the only reason for going for promotion is that you're fed up with people making crap decisions, I hate to tell you, but regardless of the rank you acheive that's going to happen, it's the way of the police service.I have been on RPU 5+ years - the other 9 have been spent mostly in proactive roles or on a response team. I'm nosey and a magnet for trouble so I have played to my strengths and avoided the Detective/ office 'pathway'.
I genuinely enjoy what I do but I find myself getting more critical of crap decision making further up the 'food chain' often by those in senior ranks with alot less service than I and I kind of want to do something about it, or at least understand why certain decisions are made.
I appreciate to have any influence I need to aiming higher than inspector but I need to start somewhere...
I have looked over the pension 'thing' and as per the above its only really at inspector level where you can really see the extra £££ - the increase in pension is important to me as I really want to look after my family in the future/ not be left wanting post retirement.
If RPU is what you're enjoying stick at it, sounds like you have many years left to go for promotion.
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