Becoming a UK Police Crime Scene Investigator (Detective)?

Question

A new friend of mine has just professed an interest in police detective work. I did ask my friend in the force how you go about joining but couldn't get any really good 'new career' advice. 

I've had a look on the web and found a job description of a 'Detective Constable' but still can't find any advice on how you go about starting the journey of becoming one. 

My friend is college educated, (I can't remember what in) book smart and can be quite sharp when she wants to be but has been working in Tesco's for the better part of five years; the area we live in has a high unemployment level and I think she's just been content to have any job rather that work towards what she wants.

Any advice you could give me that i can pass on would be greatly appreciated. I would like to give her every opportunity to at least try for this.

Thanks

mrgoole · Accepted Answer

In the UK a Police Crime Scene Investigator is classed as Police Staff and is not an actual warranted Police Officer.

Your not looking hard enough, if you go to the local police force for your area website, you will find information about Police Staff Careers.

You will also see there are no vacancies at ANY force at the moment.

If you friend wants to be a DC then he/she would have to join as a PC (again there are no vacancies at the present time) and then do the 2 year probabationary period and then moved into CID, remember a DC is the same level as a PC.

Best bet at the moment, sorry for been repetitive but is to find out if the local force is taking on Specials and join this way which would give you or your friend some kind of idea of what is involved.

http://www.policespecials.com

One thing which is striking here is that she would fail competencies by not looking for this information and getting her friend to do it all for her, look up the Competencies to be a Police Officer and you will see what I mean.

Sweet Pea · Answer

This type of work is now being handed over to private companies. It's civilian staff anyway not a Police Officer. To become a Detective you would need to be an ordinary PC first for at least 2 years. Very few Police Forces are recruiting anyway at the moment.

Tavy · Answer

You cannot go in as a Detective. You start at the very bottom and do foot patrol like everyone else. She can then apply as time goes on for promotion into CID, few get it.
Please note. Police forces are not recruiting and this government is making thousands of police redundant. She has little chance in the UK.

dumplingmuffin · Answer

you start in the police force and work your way up

Becoming a UK Police Crime Scene Investigator (Detective)?

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