Paul5455

Howdy,

i have got my start date through for the CPS . however, i am now starting to have second thoughts for the following reasons:

I have 5 1/2 years in over here, which has all been on response shift. i love the idea of response shift, but we are bottom of the pile and so all the crap gets dumped on us. i have a feeling that this is whats making me so miserable. i feel that if i moved to a different department then i would not hate the Police so much?!

being at the stage where i could move depts, joining the CPS would set me back to square 1 and i would have to do another 3-5 years before specialising (through bike unit, gang unit etc initially).

i believe that the pension is not as good as the UK where some of the pension can be commuted to a lump sum? i know its atleast 24 years away for me, but its in the back of my mind! also, if we go to CPS and dont like it, coming back would mean going on to the new pension scheme which is worse all round! i know you shouldnt think about coming back, but...

quality of life is undoubtedly better in the Canada. over here, we are managing to save a grand a month. if we stayed here, this money could be used to have a couple of really good holidays a year, which might improve quality of life here? Financially we prob would be the same in both places as cost of living is similar.

im still only 24 and am scared of making the wrong decision! someone please give me some guidance!

LFC1977

Hi Paul,
you are not alone in the thought process. We have our medicals to do and house is on sale and my wife and I think about the same thoughts as you. I am a DS with 12 years in and am fully aware of the dropping back to constable status. I also think about the pension side of things, but not that much as you only live once and may not get to enjoy this to its full capability anyway after 30 years of ridiculous pressure and politics. We have 2 very young children that we would be taking away from 2 sets of grandparents etc etc. The one deciding factor for me however is that although life is expensive, and Calgary is most probably on a par with the cost of living here, I would be able to leave my home in a morning in Calgary with the sun shining (predominantly), go to work in a much less stressful environment with members of the public actually having some respect and admiration for what we do, and I can rest in the fact that I will watch my children grow up without the crazy pressures they seem to have to endure going through our educational system here. I will see more of my family, and will have the world's best outdoor playground on my doorstep. I have no doubt that all that have been brave enough to make the leap to a new life have faced these same demons. What you need to ask is, in 20 years time when this opportunity has become a distant memory, will you regret the decision you never made? You can always come back, and so what if the pension isn't as good, life is for living before you start to claim a pension isn' it?
I hope you are able to sort out the demons, you are still young enough to make a few poor decisions and get back on the ladder without much repercussion. I'm 37 and still view life like this so you have a few years to catch up.
Good luck.

richie-318

Glad I'm not the only one having such thoughts. 8 years in now with stripes which is not turning out as hoped due to present posting. Like you I am concerned about the money. Part of me says just go for holidays or take a long break. Working PT has even been a thought for a better life.

Have till the 12th to put forms in for SAPOL, which prob will just to see but at the moment still not 100%

Will keep you all updated.

stewie_griffin

I'm in the EPS and have no doubt that if I'd been in CID or some other specialised dept, I would never have come to Canada. However, I'm glad I did for the reasons outlined above.

Now, I'm working patrol and while it's similar to the UK, it's much less stressful and more fulfilling. I'm not too concerned about promotion or specialising because I can see myself doing this job for many years without getting disillusioned or burnt out like back home.

I just got back from a 2 week holiday to the UK and never once thought about staying or regretting the move. If, for some reason, I had to back to the UK, I'd be bitterly disappointed.

The question, 'Will I be happy?' is impossible to answer for someone else, and while I'm happy, I know some people over here who are not.

Paul5455

thanks for your replies!
i have decided to go for it.
likes its been said, there is only 1 shot at life.
now let me at those Calgary Criminals!

ann m

To me - that is the crux of the matter. You are 24 years old.

I fully understand the issue about going back to square one. For some, it is a killer - but others can just shrug their shoulders. Response work here rarely matches the the pace of response work in the UK, especially if you have come from a busy county town or a city. Many transferees relish the slower pace of work - and a few are bored with the slower pace of work.

We can't answer your questions for you - your fears are real and valid. Also - everyone has wobbles at some point.

To those officers with considerable years under their belt, or with rank, or who have been with a specialist department for a while - I personally think the move and change is a lot to take in, and I always caution that people examine their lives and their 'wish-list' carefully. Importance-of-career vs its-just-work vs it-pays-the-bills vs I-want-to-ski-every-spare-minute vs my-kids-are-happy vs any number of elements that are really important to you.

However - at 24 years old, I think you can put more energy into taking a leap of faith than worrying about whether or not your pension will be quite as good in 25 years time. You have time on your side. Realistically, you could be in the job of your dreams by the time you are 28-30. How does that sound? Alternatively, you could be back in the UK saying "Well, at least I had a go and I don't regret trying it". How does that sound?

There is no right or wrong. We know people here that you couldn't pay to return to the UK. We know people here who's house in on the market and they can't get back quick enough. And we know people here who see good in both countries and remain in a state of confusion as to what to do for the best ....

I see you are going to take the leap of faith. Enjoy the ride Paul

Paul5455

thanks Ann,
i guess it was jsut a wobble, as i am now full steam ahead to Canada.
was having one of those weeks where everything was going wrong in my head, but i know that Calgary is where i want to be.
Bring on October 26th Course!

dboy

You're only 24 buddy, you have lots of time to try things. I don't agree that the pensions are better in the UK - ive posted a break down on the cps thread - there is a lump sum on the uk pension but contributions are higher (5 vs 11 percent). Also you have way more options of when you can retire - rcmp is anywhere between 19 years and 34 years of service (about 2 percent a year).

Cost of living is much the same. Wages for coppers tend to be a bit higher than the UK. At 24 I wouldn't be too concerned with doing 5 years before specializing. I never joined the force until i was 31.

Sure wish I was 24 and had the world at my feet.

Good luck