Any police officers?

J

JoJo_

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I really have to decide what sort of career I want. I am in a boring office job which I hate so much it is really starting to take its toll on me. Obviously in the current climate I cant just quit or I wouldnt be able to afford to keep Tia.

Being a police officer has always interested me. I was just wondering if anyone on here are cops and how do you manage your shifts and looking after your horse?

I'm not sure if a job with shiftwork would suit me with a horse on DIY but maybe if I was earning enough I could change to part livery.
 
My friend used to manage it with two horses on DIY. And she used to ride both of them every day. Not quite sure how she managed it all but it obviously can be done.
 
I was years ago but sold my horse to join up as then we had a 12 week initial residential course to attend. Also I didn't know until my first day where in the two counties I would be stationed. You might find it difficult to keep a regular pattern with your horse as you can get quick changeovers ie finishing at 10 in the evening and then being back on at 6 (ie 8 hrs later). As you say the part livery may well help and I think the salary is not bad now. Sorry if I'm not being very helpful but best to consider all options now - as you are.

I did love the job though so good luck if you decide to go for it.
 
At the yard I used to be on there was a young lady who is a police officer with her horse on DIY. She managed ok but has now got a sharer to help a bit.
 
I am
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I manage but with the help of a friend who does my horses when im working. I am lucky that i have 24 hour turnout and they are minis so not much hard work!

TBH a career in the police force is not all its cracked up to be. I know its a clique but the pay is not enough for the risk, its too much paperwork and very political!
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I did 2 horses on DIY for 5 yrs on police shifts, did have a sharer 2 days a week for one of them. I actually got much more time to ride than most other people. In winter if you're on a late shift you can ride in the mornings which is great.

I couldn't have done it on a yard that didn't have assisted DIY or where I didn't have friends I could call in the event I got stuck at work and couldn't get away (which isn't unusual).

However it worked fine as long as I was organised!
 
I am, I am still at training school atm (which is hard work but I am nearly finished!) but I am managing with the help of my groom, my groom I mean the unpaid mother
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bless her.
I was a PCSO before and managed shifts and a horse with the help of my mum.

If you are thinking of applying soon then you may find that there are no forces recruiting, I know Essex and the Met have a 2 year hold on recruitment, plus its a long old process to get in, I 1st applied in June 2007 and started training on the 14th Sept 2009.

Good luck with it, its been a long road for me but I think its been worth the wait
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I also am in the police and agree with Stink Bomb its not all its cracked up to be so think carefully, I've found once your in you cant afford to get out!!!

I have also ended up in an office role not by choice but have been forced into this role as I had an accident falling off my big horse over 2 years ago and they wont let me out!!!

Working the horses alongside the shifts - I share my 2 mares with my sister who is a teacher, it is hard we dont see each other much, in winter we share mornings, she puts to bed when I'm on lates. But in winter I have lessons on a morning before work which is great so they are good and bad points but you def need someone to help you.
I tried part but it wasnt flexible enough at the yard to work round my shifts if I didnt share with my sister it wouldnt work at all. I'd end up on full livery to be sure everything was done.
 
Totally agree with stinkbomb and ha903070 the police is not what it is cracked up to be, it is political, there is far too much paperwork and at times very frustrating. I left the police 2 years ago and you are right ha903070 I couldn't really afford to leave but I'm glad I did.

I had a horse when working shifts, he was on DIY with assistance it was the only way I could work it other than full livery. You will definitely need some form of help as I found 9 times out of 10 I had to work overtime. The first 2 years will be the hardest, learning the job, shift work and I'm pretty sure you have to do an NVQ level 4 type qualification on top of it all. I'm happy with my Mon-Fri job now with no hassles.

If you are looking to apply now fairyclare is right no forces are recruiting and it is a very lengthy process when they do. Have a look on www.policecouldyou.co.uk at the application and the questions you will have to answer.
 
I've managed horses on DIY whilst doing shifts for about 14 years but I did have to have a friend/relative on hand to help out either AM or PM depending on shift. I'm on regular hours now as I have a very specialist job and don't have nearly as much daylight time to ride as I did when I did shifts. As others have stated it does take a long time to get in but personally I find it extremely rewarding (ok there are days when I'm fed up but show me a job that doesn't have down days) It's a shame others fill its not all its cracked up to be. I've obviously been extremely lucky to find a role that is very rewarding.
 
Agree with Stinkbomb and ha903070 re what the job has become ( 22 yrs 'in the job' now ). I have 617 days to go to retirement ( I transferred pension from previous employment in NHS so don't have to do 30 yrs to full pension ) , and boy am I looking forward to it , the pension lump sum is decent and annual pension should mean I don't have to work again.
I would hate to work Mon- Fri days and find the shifts fit in well with keeping ponies - I get to see them / ride during daylight hours , but you obviously need some assistance . Mine are at home now and my non-horsey husband has to help , previously on d-i-y livery I had to call on others on the yard . They're natives which are out 24/7 in the winter so that makes things easier , but summer is busy with restricting their grazing / showing / riding .
I think any job has its negatives , I am glad I joined all those years ago - in particular because I met my wonderful husband -who's now retired .
It is also secure , which can't be guaranteed for all employment .
Good luck with your decision !
 
Den, its 35yrs now
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I shall be 61 when I retire unless I buy some years back now so I can retire early.

I am under no illusions about the job, red tape, politics etc and the paper work side of things, I still think those things far out way the mundane 9-5 that I was stuck in before joining the job (as a PCSO and then as a PC)
I hope I have many years enjoyment and hard work out of the job
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In short it is perfectly possible. I've been working shifts and keeping horses for many, many years now (in fact will be retiring in October) and have always found that shift work gives me more daylight hours than office hours ever did. you just learn to be organised and plan ahead. The only shift I ever need help with is late shifts in winter when the horses are in, I need somebody to give them their evening meal. Other than that it is no problem.
 
Hiya, I'm a police sergeant and I have 7 horses in total with 4 of them living at home which I look after all on my own.
You have to work hard to fit them in with the shift pattern but I have done it for years and I would never be without my horses.
The good thing with being a police officer is that the pay is pretty good so you can afford to have nice things for your horses.
The job is not for everybody but if that what you want to do then go for it.
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