How important is “phase 1 training?”

[u/Annual_Walk6088]

So I’m about 7 weeks away from completing my 20 week course and I’m honestly already at the point where I’m considering leaving.

I feel this is because I’m being made to feel like I’m not good enough and don’t have what it takes to be on the beat, however is this just mind games? I’ve got a former PCSO and an officer who didn’t complete probation first time round who are both saying that only a fraction of the classroom work is actually important.

Please can someone help and advise me because I honestly feel like giving up without even really dipping my toes into street work.

Thanks

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[u/Acting_Constable_Sek]

It depends what you struggle with.

The information you receive is (mostly) important, but if it's being delivered in a way which doesn't match your learning style then maybe it's the classes and not the job which is the issue.

A PCSO and a failed probationer are not good sources of information. I wouldn't take their word for anything about policing.

Ultimately, you will need the information and skills you get in training school to move on to the next stages of your learning, on the job as a probationer. You can't get to be a probationer if you can't apply the legislation or use the practical skills you're learning in training school.

[u/Annual_Walk6088 → u/Acting_Constable_Sek]

I should clarify the cop who didn’t finish probation didn’t fail. He just stupidly left 1 month before he would have passed.

But I agree it’s most likely down to being cooped up in a classroom when I don’t learn like that. Thank you for the advice.

[u/Ok_Traffic_3240 → u/Annual_Walk6088]

You need to liken the 20 weeks to taking driving lessons. Once you're out and have passed that, you learn to drive for real.

[u/ThirdGenBobby → u/Ok_Traffic_3240]

This. Very much this.

In your 20 weeks you don't learn how to police. You learn the basic framework of policing, the basic laws, the basic powers.

Out on the streets with your tutor is where yih first learn how to apply it, and as time goes by the better you will get at it.

In those first 20 weeks most recruits go from know nothing (or very little), to knowing "a bit". Eventually you will be FIP/IPS (depending on what your force calls it), and that to me is like passing your driving test. It means you have achieved the minimum standard to be allowed to do it by yourself. Don't get me wrong, it's a great achievement, but remember, you're still very much learning.

I'm just shy of 4 years from passing out and I still learn something nearly every set, some odd bit of legislation or case law, or I see someone do something a different way that is better than how I've done it previously.

Edit: addition

[u/Economy_Coach9219 → u/ThirdGenBobby]

Same. 7 years this month and still learning.

To the OP. Don't jack it in. Get out in the real world. See what the job is really like. Give it time (a lot of time) to get comfortable doing it, then reflect.

[u/913Nagrom913]

It depends massively on what elements of the training you’re struggling with.

Many parts of this job can be learned while out on your designated policing area, however, there are equally many parts you have to know prior to heading out.

It you’re finding it hard to keep up with the amount of information given to you in your basic training, it doesn’t get much easier when you’re juggling paperwork, SLA times and general stress, however, that’s not to say it can’t be done.

It may be that going out into your area may reinforce knowledge you’re not aware you have but equally, if your heart isn’t in it, it’s not an easy job to blag.

[u/Annual_Walk6088 → u/913Nagrom913]

What parts would you say are important. I know that seems like a stupid question to ask but the topic I have just finished is traffic, and it made me feel so deflated at the fact that I screwed up so much of the documentation used, specifically that I didn’t even know the reason I was issuing them or their purpose.

[u/913Nagrom913 → u/Annual_Walk6088]

Traffic forms a small part of most of your day to day so I wouldn’t be too hung up on that, however, a good knowledge is still important!

The most vital parts, at least in my opinion, would be an understating of your powers, PACE, stop and search, UoF, etc; they’re the powers you’ll use regularly and can ultimately get you in trouble if used incorrectly.

The other thing would be ensuring you have an awareness and sound working knowledge of some of the more common offences. Assault, theft and DA offence are just some of the frequents.

The more knowledge you have the better (and the easier you’ll find your tutorship) but as with everything, practice makes progress and slow progress is still progress.

[u/Annual_Walk6088 → u/913Nagrom913]

Thank you so much for the advice and help.

Thankfully my knowledge on most of those topics is pretty good, with the exception of da which we haven’t covered yet.

[u/mister_reggie → u/Annual_Walk6088]

Honestly mate I'd be surprised if you end up using any traffic legislation in your first couple of years. I did two years on response (London so your mileage may vary) and only did one traffic related arrest. Same as you, I just couldn't get that stuff in my head despite being comfortable with the rest. Luckily I had a friendly custody sergeant who didn't tear me apart over it.

The job isn't what anyone expects it to be going in. You wouldn't walk out of a movie theatre because you aren't enjoying the trailers. Give it time.

[u/MrWilsonsChimichanga → u/mister_reggie]

1 traffic offence arrest in 2 years seems almost unbelievable! When I worked response I'd say at least 10% of all my arrests were drink and drug drivers. I appreciate everyone has different levels of discretion and I'm not one for giving out tickets to decent people without very good cause, but it annoys me how many police see traffic offences as some sort of optional extra.

You can avoid traffic if you're that way inclined but its a very useful tool for disrupting serious criminality. It pays to be confident in your traffic powers and its not particularly complicated until you start getting into niche stuff like ab loads and tachographs.

[u/SeriallyTired]

Most of it’s pretty important, just keep at it and try to absorb as much of it as you can, you will still feel like a fish out of water once you’re released onto the streets, all very normal

[u/Great_Tradition996]

Police trainer here. Very little of the classroom input is important (barring police powers, which is very important, and what to do at jobs, including the legislation, which is pretty important but could mostly be learnt in area). It would be far more beneficial for you to have a condensed 6 week classroom training programme and the other 14 weeks spent in area but sadly, we have a College of Policing who have decided that you must learn about drones, ANPR, how to be very nice to everybody, how to lose your sense of humour, the Problem Analysis Triangle (absolutely no idea what that actually is) and many other pointless things.

For me, the skills we can’t teach you are what will make you a good street officer. The most important being how to actually talk to people. The best students I’ve had tend to be from jobs in places like customer services, support work, nursing and similar (care assistants, MH professionals) and education. All the jobs where you have to tailor your communication appropriately. Don’t throw the towel in yet; actual policing is nothing like training school and you may find you love the job once you’re out. I would like to add that I absolutely love my job and take a good deal of pride in it; it would just be a lot easier without the CoP, who seem to think the entire country is the Met

[u/RhubarbASP]

BUGEE and powers of entry are also equally important especially if you are in any moderate city LPA

[u/Alarming-Ice-2092]

I have gone through training twice as a pcso and then as a pc. HQ is nothing like the job, it just makes you aware of areas you will be needing to work in. IP is when the job is the job. Good tutors here make or break your progress.

[u/olympiclifter1991]

So a part timer and a drop out advised you?

Go into it eyes open and willing to learn.

Stick with it. Training gets you on the ground but you learn in the section