mrs.jenjen

Hi - I'm a british citizen and I'm writing this post for my USC husband. He's a Police officer here in TX and we've been talking about moving back to the UK in a year or so.

From what I've read, he needs to be resident in the UK for 3 years to be able to apply for the MET, right? Does anyone know of any international schemes etc that would mean he could work in the Police sooner, or about careers that he could work in the meantime which would stand him in good stead when he does apply after 3 years?

We recently had a baby and I'm desperate to get back home. Hubby says he's fine with it so long as we can support ourselves (obviously). I personally don't care if he's a house husband for three years so long as I can be close to family again, but you know what male pride is like! I guess I should be grateful... its not really something to complain about, hey?

Any suggestions would be very appreciated!

GTFC

Only suggestion . . . don't do it, the UK Police Force that is.

Trust me, for the money he'll earn there are many better jobs to take up on return to the UK. Sorry to sound down about the Uk Force but things really aren't great. Being a Police Officer is a greatjob but just not here.

Espressomattic

I have to agree, whilst the job is great, really the changes afoot and the immediate future are not that good. It is an uphill struggle at best. But if he loves policing, then he will know this is pretty much the score the world over, but it is pretty bad here right now...hence a lot of us are off (all being well)...sorry.

Ratty

I would strongly advise against, but then most others on this site will as well as its aimed at officers who want to leave the UK.

I've been in the fortunate position of spending a good deal of time on courses in the States (mainly in Ca).

Generally speaking the quality of life for officers in the US is far in excess of what you'll get here. The education system is better, healthcare (although you have to pay for it in the US) is better. Housing is cheaper in the US.

In the UK there are no medical or dental plans (You have to pay through the nose for private healthcare or take your chances on an underresourced NHS).

Level of respect for officers is far lower in the UK (Don't forget, I've seen both sides).

No Union to speak of, the "Police Federation" do their best, but are essentially toothless when it comes to negotiations with the Govt.

Morale is rock-bottom. The job is all about achieveing Govt targets.

Your hubby will be working for 35yrs to get a full pension.

The strength of the £ vs the $ at the moment makes it a very bad move financially. (You may not be able to afford a very nice house in a good area ... certainly in London... otherwise its a commute every day)

British weather vs Texas weather?? No comparison. If you like wind and rain and grey skys you'll be OK

I'm desperately thinking of something positive to say .... sadly I can't.

If I can help any further then feel free to PM me. As I said, I've spent a lot of time with officers in the States. Most can't believe it when I tell them how bad it is (and this is from someone in a sought after specialist post .. if I was out on the streets policing the frontline I'd have quit by now!)

Hang on, I just thought of something positive ...... we have proper beer!!

Sorry to be so negative ... PM for more if you like, but baby will be better brought up in the US!

Vladimir Drake

I totally disagree with the above discouraging postings and note the amount of whinging and whining from people on this site.

I think the Uk is an infinitely suprior place to work and live to either US or Canada, and I am getting fed up with all these UK officers who are so keen to turn their back on their own police services that trained and provided for them.

I have seen both sides, I came out to Canada for personal reasons.

Now i am returning to the Uk to rejoin the police and cannot wait!

I have never been in a more hideously boring country in my life than Canada!

As to the US: look at the murder rate! And the culture!

Edmonton and Calgary are total dumps in a flat big piece of farming country, of no interest to anyone.

The best bet for your husband is to be flexible in his apporach: the Met are very strict due to their anti-terrorism work, but there are many other forces which take a more flexible approach. this directive from the Home office on 3 years residency is only a guideline. I have overcome it myself.

Try other larger forces, and make some phone calls.

the Uk is far more progressive in policing than canada or the US, and also the equipment, training and career development far better.

Also the terms and conditions such as pension and vacation are far better.

In the UK you have the NHS which is free. So that is why private healthcare is not so developed.

My advice to those planning to leave the UK for Canada, is think before you leap. Many come to Canada, and end up stuck and unable to get back.

Canada: good for baseball caps ice hockey and donuts. Wow, what siginificant contribtutions to world culture......

PCSO_101

British Police are known for being the best in the world... A key fact. Remember the Met is a large force and so, is rather different to all other forces in England and Wales.

All's I can say is; I have friends in USA, family in Australia and they are all fed up of their jobs over there and are keen to come over here.

Is the grass any greener... Heck No! But we all want a change in life so, go for it.

rae

where as the rest of this rubbish contains no moans at all eh!

rae

what exactly did you expect in the area where police officers are discussing leaving and moving. and didn't this apply to you when you went originally?

rae

where as our culture at the presnt time and murder rate per populus is fantasic!!, oh sorry forgot, our murder stats are not not published by the home office, wonder why. in case you missed it, last week there were 3 teenagers stabbed to death across the country, they are just the ones that made in onto the BBC.

rae

i would say the winter olympic committee and a million other people who live there would disagree. i take it you are moving back to a thatched cottage overlooking the village pond with a view of the local castle.

rae

ho ho ho, i thought for a minute this was a serious post, then i got to this bit. how are we more progressive then, go on i'd love to hear. how is our equipment better. GMP are using a computer system which is 20yrs old!!, and then it was bought 2nd hand from another force as it was nearing the end of its useable life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

rae

england, good for doing whatever it is told by the US, including participation in illegal wars. also good if you are a teenager and want to get pregnant, buy cocaine, be victim of crime(top european list in all these) not so good if you want an education, 22nd out of 23 in recent UNICEF poll, canada was 12th.

rae

vladimir drake, there is definately a bridge somewhere missing the troll from underneath it.

rae

hi, you have some good suggestions on here i think,
apart from the obvious one of course.

i personally wouldn't recommend it either. thats not because everyone who works in policing in the UK are desperate to leave. clearly i can't testify to that and it probably isn't the case. what i would say though it that every single one of the 22 officers i supervise have applications in to either, emmigrate, move force, change job roles, take career break, or resign. no its not because i supervise them, they are a great bunch. they have simply been ground down, no appreciation and ridiculous workload. each officer is investigating at least 10 crimes at any one time, along with 4-5 road traffic reports, there are normally something like 80-100 incidents, reported and waiting to be attended to at the start of every shift, then of course the immediate response situations arise, and the things you come across.
and all targets still have to be met with regard to detections of crime, arrests, stop searches and more.

with abstractions i normally have 5-8 people working, thats to cover an area geographically of around 30 sq miles, with 2 busy town centres, packed with clubs and bars. only on saturday night the 6 of us fought a running battle with 20+ yobs in the city centre, with no other support available as they were busy elsewhere.

this is in a busy metropolitan force, in a busy area within it, clearly he wouldn't get this in a more rural force. what he would get would be twice as bad as they have even fewer officers, bigger areas and less resources, i know other sgts in these areas, this is from the horses mouth, not guesswork.

so not very positive sorry. just think from what i know of forces overseas, as i did some liaison work when i worked for the home office in training, he will be shocked, dissapointed and unable to adjust.

rodders5

am ex west midlands officer and have lots of friends still serving there, they are crying out for officers at the moment, due to massive exodus from city forces. I don't know if they have scheme for international applicants, but worth a look.