Baz

For anyone interested the RCIP have had a 4 million $ budget increase, so they are now recruiting AFO's, patrol cops, DC's, and SOCO's.

http://www.recruitment.gov.ky/portal..._schema=PORTAL

Jayjay2015

Hey guys,

I'm fairly new to this forum, so be gentle!!

Just in reply to this Cayman Islands Vancancy - is there anyone who currently works for them and if so whats it like? I've looked on a few of the websites and looks like a nice fresh challenge. I have over 3 years policing experience, all of which as an AFO also. I noticed that they are hiring general policing roles/ Afo's and just looking to see if anyone else has experience of working for them.

Also...I was wondering if they are hiring UK officers to fill this role aswell as locals, and if so how does the immigration process work for non residents?

Cheers guys

dreadsoc

Hi Jayjay

Welcome to BE and the police forum.
If you check down the list of threads in the police forum, you will find several threads on the Royal Cayman Islands Police with a lot of information based on posters' personal expriences of working for them.
Just scroll down the list of threads and you will find them.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Dread - x

Sunny Dee

To all who may apply..... Please beware. The lure of the sun sea beaches and tax free salary may seem tempting but life in Cayman is not as idyllic as you may think. I've been there....

dreadsoc

Hi Sunny Dee

Welcome to BE.
Is there any chance you an expand a bit and perhaps mention some of the things which you found less idyllic, as well as the pleasant aspects of working for RCIPS? If you could do that it may help other members who are considering applying to make up their minds knowing the pitfalls. Many think of the Caymans as the tropical island of beautiful beaches and azure seas and expect paradise, but working there as a police officer is something else altogether.

Good to have you on board - I am sure you can add some excellent comments after your experience working for RCIPS

Dread - x

RSthetruth

I see they're still trying to flog this dead horse!
The 'glamour' of the Cayman islands will always mean there are no shortage of volunteers.
Unfortunately reality will bite sooner or later by which time it'll be too late to return to the comfort zone of the uk.

7 murders in 8 days last month. There's a reason you're needed...

Sunny Dee

Oh where do I start......

Please read the previous threads - I would agree with the negative comments posted before.

The RCIPS is in no way like a UK force. The RCIPS is anti the foreign recruits (all you brits who will apply are considered foreign) they are sexist, racist, homophobic etc etc etc. The turnover rate is huge which is why they recruit every year. It is incredibly expensive to live there and as an 'import' you will be treated as a third class citizen.

The money may seem great but living there is so expensive - your tax free salary is quickly eaten up in rent and living expenses.

I will gladly answer any questions you may have.

dreadsoc

Hi RS

Welcome to BE and thank you for your post.
I am mindful to advise that people considering applying for RCIPS should take a good look through the existing threads on this forum before applying.

It all sounds so very glam when you read the recruitment spiel, see the figures for a tax free salary, then see the pictures of the place (most of which are taken to lure tourists) etc etc. But the reality is that if successful you will be working in a foreign country, where the locals resent you.

For those who want promotion, you will have little or no chance in RCIPS and unless recruited to a specialist role, these are reserved for locals.

Dread - x

dreadsoc

Hi Sunny Dee

Thank you for such an honest and insightful post. This is the very kind of information that potential applicants need to be aware of in order to balance reality with perceived paradise.
I hope those intending to apply take time to look at both the positive and negative aspects of working on a group of small insular islands.

Are you still in the RCIPS?

Dread - x

Stan77

Hello

Read lots of posts on here about RCIPS and the negative sides and lots of positives from expats who aren't in the police about their quality of life. I'm an Inspector in a UK force and have applied for an Insp's post out there. Be interested to hear from anyone who has been out there in a supervisory position.

Cheers

Short fat Black rat

Hi All,
Been reading this and the other RCIP forums on this site with a lot of interest. Our force (D&C) is going through a massive reorganisation at the moment and to say its pretty bad is an understatement. In the light of no one else taking on tranferees, I have just applied for the Sgts post. Looking at the threads and themes on the RCIP I'm not so sure that it was a good idea.
We've no house to sell, but was hoping to go over and settle with my wife and two children (3 and 1). Im a skipper in the UK with firearms, traffic and response experience and was hoping to do the same sort of thing over there. Is it really all that bad? Id be interested to hear from a RCIP Sgt....

dreadsoc

Hi Stan and Short fat black rat

Just wanted to say welcome to BE both of you.

Love the name short fat black rat - it made me laugh.

Good luck to both of you with your applications - but before you give your notice in at your UK force make sure you have everything in writing from RCIPS.

Dread -x

Short fat Black rat

Hi Dread!,
Cheers for the up on the name! Needless to say its more descriptive than I would like! lol!
I read the postings here a lot, but never posted before. I was accepted for a post with Calgary Police Service 4 years ago, but we didn't go because we couldn't sell our house in time. Gutted. It would seem that with the changes to listed occupations for immigration to Canada, the door for Cops on PNP is closed, unless you go back on the skilled worker list, which can take up to four years itself. So. I've been looking seriously at other options. I really think policing here in the UK has lost its way. Must say I was really keen on the caymans until I started reading some of the previous posts.
I can appreciate that there are a number of differing viewpoints, but taking it on an average, it would appear that there seems to be a constant theme.
I expect that I will at least follow it through to interview, if i get shortlisted and make my mind up then. i guess i wanna do the best by my family so we'll see what happens, but I wouldn't mind an update on recent conditions.

dreadsoc

Hi Short fat black rat

(such a fabulous name !!!)

I am glad to see you are going in with your eyes open and a realistic expectation. Many just think of the beaches and palm trees then get an almighty shock on their arrival.

I totally agree, UK policing has lost its way. I find it incredulous in my force that we have had a supposed increase in officer numbers over the last decade, yet there are fewer and fewer officers to do the job. As for the promotion system - you have people making sergeant with just over 2 years in the job, which is not enough time to learn how to be a copper in the true sense. Then those people go further up in rank and make decisions on how the job is done - when they never spent time learning how to do it themselves.
Then we get the impending doom of the Windsor and Hutton reports, which basically intend to rob us of our standard of living and our professionalism, and it is no wonder so many want to get out of UK policing.

Yep I am one of those so called 'dinosaurs' and proud of it - but if I were not so close to retirement, I would be joining all the others on here who are applying to emigrate.

All the best with whatever you decide to do - please let us know

Dread - x

RSthetruth

SFBR - judging by the comment you made (highlighted) it appears you have at least some degree of care and professionalism about your role.
The good news is, policing in Cayman hasn't lost its way. It never had a way to begin with!
Being recruited for one role does not necessarily mean you will be doing that. All it takes is another murder and everyone is put on 16 hour days high viz, rest days cancelled (no O/T). They've recently had something like 5 murders in 8 days.

The lack of order and governance within the police may initially sound less restricting and easy-going. However, try claiming back a cancelled rest day, or telling them you got childcare issues and you cant come in over your weeked off. There is no SOP or force regulation you can fall back on.

Away from the job, you'd need to consider childcare issues. For a decent school/nursery you'd be looking at $1000 per child. Housing will be a least £2000 a month.
Unless your misses is working, making ends meet will be tough.

Also, you will not be on the same payscale as current serving officers. They've all had a paycut recently and new recruits will be getting even less. Bear that in mind when someone with less expereince than you but outranks you tells you how to do your job.

On the plus side, the beach is nice and the weather is great year round. Unless of course you get hit by a hurricane! But you've only got to worry about that 6 months of the year.

Be interesting to know how the interview goes and what you decide. Please keep the board updated with your progress.