snogood

Anyone returned to their (or another) UK police service after emigrating?

Was wondering about the vetting process (MetPol) after being away 4 years? What does it involve?

HR indicating it might take up to 6 months, and I think you need to be back in the country before they start the process. So that could be 6 months staying with in-laws and without income.

Baz

Not myself, but i have heard of a number of people attempting to re-join in the UK, after stints in the job overseas, and being refused for a number of reasons. One i think was due to complaints he received while working in the job overseas, and a couple of others went back, and their forces were not recruiting.

Unfortunately i think it is an 'employers market' at the moment in the UK.

benjyp10

Hi, Yes I did, moved to Canada and then back to UK, had no problems, in fact got my old job back! PM Me and I will discuss. Ta

snogood

Thanks benjyp10 - might just do that.

snogood

Just a quick update. Have sent back all vetting forms a few weeks ago and now waiting for an update.

The forms were very straight-forward. Presume they follow things up with an interview?

Although HR indicated it might take up to 6 months, the Ch Insp in husband's old department thinks it could be completed a lot quicker, maybe 6 weeks.

Possible return to the UK by summer 2011 then. Still not cut and dry on decision though, to be honest. Lots of good things here, but maybe not quite enough to keep us here long term.

Again, any input from anyone else who has returned will always be useful and helpful to us. Thanks.

Sashi

Hey

Hope it works out for you.

If you dont mind, would you talk about your experiences?

What made you want to move to Canada, how did it go and why your coming back?

Thankyou in advance.

dreadsoc

It is certainly possible to come back. Two people in our local force spent a few years in NZ police then returned to the same force - and even to the rank and roles they had prior to emigrating.

However one thing to bear in mind is that ALL UK police forces are being driven by Govt enforced cuts to their budgets, which is significantly affecting recruitment. In a lot of county forces here, they are asking existing officers to consider early retirement and a lot of civillian staff are being made redundant. There is even talk of offering police officers redundancy (madness if ever there was !!!)

Also specialist units are being shut down and officers returned to uniform patrol, so opportunities for development are becoming scarce, unless you want to go up the ranks - but even there the opportunities are lessening.

Additionally there are two major things going on which are likely to affect policing - The Hutton and Windsor reports. The major thing likley to be affected is the pensions - where they want the lump sum commutation taxed at 40% or 50% and they want police officers to work until the age of 60.

For those who are coming back - you may find it is a very different environment from the one you left.

Sorry to sound like the voice of doom and gloom - but forewarned is forearmed as the saying goes, and these are things to consider before you make the choice to return to UK policing.

Dread - x

snogood

Perhaps later on, if you are still interested.

The forum has ears.

snogood

Thanks for all your comments, all taken on board, even the doom and gloom.