frustratedModPlod

Hi Rockfever Just a few questions if I may....

what is the shift system, ie days on, days off.....

If there are no lockers, where do you keep your kit, or do you have issued vehicle to keep it in.

For officers who need it, what (on the job) training is there, ie law conversion, driver training etc.

How much leave entitlment is there.

What are the best areas for officers to live.

Rockfever

Hi

To be more accurate, there are Uniform Lockers in Bodden Town, but nothing in George Town, which is the largest Station and Capital of Grand Cayman.
I guess the obvious reason, is lack of space and then the added expense and no, you don't get issued a car to keep your kit in LOL !!

You will have to take your kit home, including your utility belt and Pepper spray, which raises obvious concerns ! Paperwork is kept in a "Shift" locker at the Station and if you get CID, you should get your own desk.
Sergeants share desks, on USG there is only one large Office for the Troops and one for the Inspector !

frustratedModPlod

Hmmmmm, not good then

Seeing as I've heard nothing since they acknowledged my application and others here are getting phone interviews, I think its safe to say my application is in the shredder

It was worth the try, I suppose

Rockfever

HOUSING

Like any where there are good and bad areas every where, it usually is reflected in the price. So cheaper is not necessarily a good result, expect to pay $1,700-2,000 a month for a two bed property, which are plentiful in all areas.

Get a local map and check out the various Districts.

The main beach is Seven Mile Beach, which is between George Town and West Bay. So most of the best restaurants and bars, etc are in theses areas. Any further east than Savannah and you will be increasing your travelling time and isolating yourself. Congestion is particularly bad during peak hours and the closer you live to your Station is a bonus, so wait until you get there and find a rental then.

LOCAL PROCEDURE COURSE

Usually there will be a two week course and you will get your Uniform, Computer instruction, Island / Station Orientation, Bank Accounts, Law input and so on.

SHIFTS

Various shift patterns have been tried, from 12 to 8 hours in length. 4 on, 4 off was my favourite, but due to poor customer service results, it went back to 8 hr shifts. The shift pattern may even be different, between the different Stations.

USG

The Uniform Support Group (Firearms Team) is based at George Town and is run by an ex Merseyside Sgt, who was promoted to Inspector on taking up the position. They Work 8 hour shifts, 3 Days followed by 3 Nights, but will regularly be called out and have their hrs extended to 12 hr shifts for Operational purposes. This results in Officers having 300+ hours time owed and you will never get that cleared until you leave the Island. There is no Standby allowance and no AFO allowance, but there is an additional allowance that amounts to pence ! Training facilities are non existent and old derelict buildings have been used in the past. The Range is a Sand Pit and desperately needs to be updated and there was a rumour of a new facility being built.

Rockfever

NUMBERS

FRUSTRATED MODPLOD I heard that 50 Officers were required during this Campaign, so fingers crossed mate.

frustratedModPlod

Thanks for the info Wait and see then.....

RSthetruth

Bullet dodged ModPlod, bullet dodged my son!

Thebigguy1979

Ok guys interview in 40 mins, will be asking some questions!

have come to conclusion that if i can get career break and break my gf, i'm gonna go for it. if not then may not be good idea to give up job here too come back to nothing!

Rich, you got kids and from the look of living costs etc, i reckon you might be a little mad to consider it, as by my calculations i'll just scrape by (unless gf gets job) kids would knock me over the edge on money front!

Worked a war torn country for 2 years as copper with on;y 6 days a month off, caymans could be a nice break, rich will update on here what i learnt from interview!!

Rockfever

Bigguy

Now stick to that "Career Break" decision, as you will know the lack of Recruitment that is going on throughout the UK.

Other factors to consider will be "De-skilling" whilst you are in Cayman and also that if you do return to the UK, your colleagues would have been promoted in your absence and would have been posted to those Specialist Posts too !!

Thebigguy1979

thanks rockfever,

deskilling is a worry and with missions within uk policing, 2 years is considered the longest you can go generally before you start to lose the skills.

I had an ok interview, telephone is off putting

for those looking to apply, from the answers to my questions regarding issues brought up in this forum, i'm happy to give it a go. there has been some big changes in the last year, it would be interesting to find out what it's really like.

but career break would be the way forward i believe!!!

Short fat Black rat

Had the telephone interview. Seemed to go very well, with the head of HR, a female CI and a British Insp. Was on the phone for over an hour.
All felt very positive until after the interview I went into the local press sites again and started looking at the comment threads put on some of the stories by the locals. It seems the foreign cops really aren't all that popular. I got to be honest, if the renumeration package was okay, and i could get a career break I'd seriously consider it, for a year or two at least, but looking at some of the crime stories in the press I'm not really sure i want to consider exposing my kids to that risk. I spose I'll wait to see if I get an offer and make my mind up then.

Short fat Black rat

Well the interview seemed to go well. they said that they would pay a relocation allowance, housing, and insurance. They would out me up for a week when i got out there to give me time to find some suitable accom. The panel sounded very positive, and i talked for britian, but I enjoy interviews ( bit warped I know...)

They spent a bit of time checking out what research I'd done and they did ask me if I knew what I was getting myself into. To be honest, I'm not sure that I do!!!

Although they wouldnt commit on shifts, they did say that OSG would similar to an unarmed TSG, and you responded to demand. I take it that'll probably be searching murder scenes, and working every friday and saturday night. not too fond of that idea.....

I'm really taking on board from you guys with all the knowledge, and as nice as seven mile beach is, I'm not sure its worth exposing my family to the risk....

frustratedModPlod

Well, at least you guys are getting interviews. I'm not getting booger all so far.

Another plan of mine gone to waste Thanks for the info on the thread folks, good luck to you all.

Bye.

RSthetruth

Think I may know the reason behind this.
They only recruited as recently as 2010, and now they’re wanting a further 50
There’s been a high turnover of staff, esp overseas officers.

Reading between the lines; I don’t think they want to be caught short again with so many people leaving once the going gets tough, or they find it’s not all sunshine and beaches.

Hence they got to be convinced you know what you’re letting yourselves in for. You’re actually there to do a job, a job where you’ll find challenges not only with the punters on the street, but also in your own workplace.

My advice would be, if you have no family ties, and are guaranteed your old job back, then do it. (i.e career break).

Otherwise steer well clear. Put yourself in the situation of trying to get back in your old force when they’re not recruiting.

Also, despite it looking impressive on your CV, recruiters don’t give a monkey’s you’ve spent 2 years away policing a different culture. Every job I’ve done since my return, I’ve been told they didn’t even consider it when offering me a job. All it is, is an extra headache when they need to vet you upon return.

That’s the other thing to check. Can you pass a security vetting procedure if you’ve not been in the country for the past x amount of years? Normally you need at least 6 months in the country before you can pass it. Check it out before you decide.

Rockfever

RSthetruth is right, the conditions of re-entry with some Forces, was that of residence in the UK. The Met for sure stipulated that.

Another consideration is that of "Ongoing Complaints".
I am aware that an ex RCIPS Officer tried to rejoin his local Force, only to fail the Vetting due to a couple of old Complaints, that were left pending. It took over a year to clear them and the Officer was left with nothing, due to the lack of Recruitment. A Career Break is the only way to go !