I was at a job last week where someone the same age as me was sectioned after trying to commit suicide. When I was speaking to them on the hospital guard I actually felt very bad for them, as they had their life put together and were trying to get help but the MH services kept failing them.

I left once the hospital guard was handed over, but I keep thinking of how she's doing and if she got the right support. I've been thinking about it even more after hearing that someone was hit by a train near to where she lives.

Is it normal to take jobs home with you, and does anyone have advice on how to stop thinking about it all the time? Thanks.

Hi all,

For the past few months I've been building a browser-based emergency services control room simulator. You sit at a control desk, take 999 calls, work out what's actually going on, send the right resources along real roads and run the incident through to the end.

It's in early pre-alpha. Fire & Rescue is the first service to go live, set in Humberside (UK), with Ambulance, Police and HM Coastguard to follow.

Some of what's in so far:

999 calls from panicking members of the public, alarm receiving centres and other agencies, including callers who aren't sure where they are, hoaxes and false alarms you're expected to challenge

Attendance types, crewing, specialist vehicles, and requests from the incident commander that you have to act on

M/ETHANE, JESIP, and calls passed between services

Survival guidance for trapped callers, tidal rescues and chemical placards

Planning work between calls: officer cover, events, hydrant defects and callbacks

Multiplayer, so a group can staff the same control room together.

Why I'm posting: I'm not from an emergency services background, and I want it to feel right to the people who are. I'm looking for a small group of advisors from the Police, Fire, Coastguard and Ambulance services. That includes frontline staff, control room and dispatch staff, call handlers and officers, whether you're serving, on-call, volunteer or retired.

What it would involve:

Looking at features and scenarios and telling me what's wrong or unrealistic

Suggesting the calls, decisions and everyday work that make the job what it is in your service

Helping shape how the services work together on shared incidents.

As much or as little time as you like. Even a one-off "that's not how it works" is really valuable.

To be clear, I'm not asking for anything confidential, operational or about real incidents. General "this is how it usually works" knowledge is perfect. The game isn't affiliated with any service, and it isn't training.

In return you'd get early access, an advisor role in the Discord, a credit in the game, and a real say in how your service's control room is built.

If you might be keen, drop me a message and I'll send you the brochure so far, with screenshots and more about the plans. Happy to answer any questions in the comments too.

Thanks for reading!

Are everyone's CSU departments at breaking point?

We are currently 2 and 5 when par level is 3 and 10. It's basically impossible to progress crimes and complete case files. Spare days end up covering core. Without influxes of TDC's there is no sign of new starters. It's been like this for the last 18 months but just about everyone in our department has reached burn out.

Has it been this bad before and what does it take for senior mangement to recognise how bad it truely is?

Recently whilst looking at the NCA site, it mentionsa scheme called NCA Specials which recruits volunteers to the NCA to help with their jobs.

The site says it's based off the special constabularies in the police but as states more focussed on recruiting those with niche specialist skills compared to the existing specials in the police.

It has a link to the NCA job vacancies site but says they're not recruiting for the role at the time, but I've been following the NCA vacancies for some time and have never seen the NCA Specials Scheme advertised.

I'm currently a PC in the Met in neighbourhoods. It's not exactly like it's a specialist unit like modern slavery or SO15, but it has allowed me to do phone work, search warrants for drug lines, and other skills which I do think are of relevance.

I was wondering if anyone here is doing it or knows anything about it? I'm not sure if the scheme exists only in name, or if it's actually an active scheme which does allow people to volunteer in the NCA. I've emailed the general recruitment email but worth asking here.

They fail to investigate crimes, ignore plenty of crimes so certain offences like shoplifting are pretty much decriminalised.

They have no powers for things like oversees fraud.

They won't bother investigating burglaries.

They're a glorified social care service, so when you put it like that it seems like a damning waste of taxpayer money.

I'd personally propose defunding the police since they're largely ineffective and expensive organisation.

I would propose having far less officers but creating a taskforce that specifically deals with visual crimes like violent crime.

Hey this is an odd question but I was wondering if anyone on here could help me with a question I have.

Basically in uni we have a scenario in which first attending offices have gone into a private residence after a suspected shooting of a female. The question I have is what legal powers of entry do the police have, I ask this because on the information I already have it is stated that paramedics attend the scene before police and pronounced the victim dead, and voting registry shows she is the only occupant of the flat, so saving life isn't really a possible answer under PACE. The suspect has been seen to leave the flat and drive off so arrest also is not possible in the first instance.

The door was left ajar, but I doubt that is relevant as the paramedics have already been, they did however have to leave to attend another unrelated incident.

I am struggling to find any legal ground that would stand up in court for the first attending officers to enter the flat.

Hi everyone,

I’m 33F and have worked in the police for 4 years. For the past year I have been thinking about leaving the job due to stress and craving the norm. I sort of fell in to the job, it wasn’t a childhood dream for me and I’ve gotten to the point now where I tried it, I’m proud I did but it’s not my forever job. Right now everyday I dread work, I could genuinely cry and then when I’m there I’m just generally sad and unhappy. It’s not great for victims or my team.

I just don’t know what to go for that will pay similar (in the 35K-40K) bracket. Myself and my partner are currently in the middle of buying a house therefore I feel completely stuck because I need to find a job that pays similar. Obviously this means finding jobs I have experience in and battling the 1000’s of other applicants.

For background, I have a chemistry degree but never used it. I also have learning and development experience but there’s not many jobs out there.

Does anyone have any suggestions or experience in switching jobs using our policing skills? I’m always happy to try anything with genuine career prospects and I would like to apply my experience in policing.

Hi all,

Due to go on an attachment with Response on Thursday (In 2 days).

Currently operational since Jan 2026 as a PCSO. Happy to get hands on when it’s requires it.

Any advice for when I go on the attachment? Got a million scenarios going through my head and trying to JPLANE and NDM each one is driving me crazy.

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas of what to expect on said attachment?

Thanks and stay safe out there 👮🏻‍♂️

Hi all, cop of nine years here, approaching a decade in the job. Just one for those of you out there who are currently mentors / tutors or whatever your home force calls them.

So I've been mentoring cops in their ten weeks for about six years now and I can say I have honestly had some fantastic new recruits. Each one has gone on to become great officers and I'm so pleased I can be a part of their journey into policing.

However, I've recently joined a team of which I seem to be the only mentor, so as you can imagine, its been back-to-back tutoring now for just over a year. As much as I enjoy it, this has really taken its toll regarding burnout. To the extent I have today sent an email asking to be removed from the mentors list due to the intensity of it all.

So for any of you fellow mentors and tutors out there, just a few general questions to see if its just me feeling this way or if its a generic thing across UK policing:

Assessor marking standards - does anybody else find this incredibly inconsistent? Some are really strict and seem to knock all their work back for some minor reasons (eg. stammering when explaining arrest necessity), and others seem to just sign everything off with minor feedback?

Mentor / tutor courses - I've recently noticed a massive decline in officers actually taking on the role as a mentor? In my force it really does not seem like any new mentors are popping up leaving the tutorships up to the same people time and time again?

As I said above, I really do enjoy it. The new officers are not to blame for the stress whatsoever in my case. But at the moment, its becoming a bit too much and the points above have made the role a LOT more difficult recently. Any advice / feedback / experience from you guys on here?

My partner and I have just had our first baby and after a number of issues for myself (birthing parent) and a few niggles for our newborn, we were saying how much better it would have been to go private for a lot of our concerns.

What experiences, positive or negative, have people had with the NPHS? Thank you :)

I feel like sacking someone who volunteers their time for such a reason is ridiculous, surely there are better disciplinary steps to take before firing someone for stealing a bag.

Life On Mars, Babylon, The Thin Blue Line etc?

Feel free to roast me. I am a civilian and would love to know what police progs are the most realistic

Hey guys, i start my first shift with my tutor on Wednesday and I'm trying to think of cake ideas. i know this conversation has been had a few times but as someone who doesn’t really have a sweet tooth, i was thinking of options for people the same.

I was thinking about a mix of doughnuts and bakes/slices or sausage rolls from Greggs. Is that a dumb idea? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Alright folks,

Lil’ sis graduating into the Polis and wanted to get her a decent gift to use.

Mate down here in the Met suggested a decent high quality torch can be very handy but to check if it’s allowed by the force in question.

Was thinking to get her a Fenix PD36R Pro. Double rechargeable battery, good bit of kit and a belt holster with Velcro strap.

Are there any restrictions on carrying personal kit / minimum standard etc? Or even better suggestions welcome!

Ta in advance.

Hi all! I've managed to get myself confused over what constitutes 'any place' under s23, other than the less-obvious examples detailed in that section.

Clearly 'any place' covers buildings and outbuildings, but what about outdoor areas?

Can anyone give more examples of 'any place'? Or examples of what *wouldn't* be classed as 'premises' under this section?

Thank you 😊

Is the difference in the sound of LAS, LFB & MPS sirens intentional? Or is it just down to choice of supplier?

A few years ago i saw a video on youtube of an officer being attacked on a high street. The body cam was from a second officer questioning a person during a road side stop and a bystander says "your mate is getting attacked". Then the officer runs over and helps detain the person who is attacking the first officer. For the life of me I cant find it. Apologies if this is the wrong sub to ask. i just really want to find it.

Good morning all,

Just a quick and hopefully straightforward question! If an individual is considering doing a event for charity such as the London marathon or London to Brighton or the various other sporting events similar. Does the fundraising element need to be approved by professional standards and if so at what stage would the declaration need to be made?

Further to this are there any charity's that are to be avoided? I have a colleague who is considering Stop Hate UK or other charities rhat base thier ethos around stopping racism but the political implications are of a concern especially given the role we are in.

Any advice would be welcomed!

My force is currently going through a stage of "staffing by accountancy"..... whereas they have drastically reduced the staffing level on nights and are constantly dropping more than half of the shift from nights to backs.

They tried to badge it up as resourcing needs, which initially washed, but it's now apparent that it's purely an accountancy process to save money (e.g. they even dropped a sgt from night to back, even though bans Sgts were all in).

The point has been raised that the force should maybe still be paying those cops on drop backs their full Unsocial Hours Allowance (10 hours instead of 3) as it's not their fault they've been dropped back and are losing out.

Has any other force done similar?