Useful

**bobos** · 01-04-2006, 06:29

If they started paying specials I think you would get a mass exodus from the TA

**scotscop** · 01-04-2006, 10:41

Originally Posted by bobos

If they started paying specials I think you would get a mass exodus from the TA

Some forces are trialling a bounty scheme, and I've heard, but I doubt very much, one of the Southern English forces are paying a monthly bounty of some type/kind.

**smudge5611** · 01-04-2006, 11:02

Just in case you are interested,I am a reservist(ex-reg) and am now in the fire service.I have received mobilisation papers,but must have my employers consent.They will not let me go,regardless of personal thoughts on whether it is right or wrong--that is not the issue.So if you ever thought we were all on the same side,it appears that the fire service senior management believe their empire is more important than anything else.

**exemplo_ducemus** · 01-04-2006, 14:17

Originally Posted by smudge5611

Just in case you are interested,I am a reservist(ex-reg) and am now in the fire service.I have received mobilisation papers,but must have my employers consent.They will not let me go,regardless of personal thoughts on whether it is right or wrong--that is not the issue.So if you ever thought we were all on the same side,it appears that the fire service senior management believe their empire is more important than anything else.

I think that the fire service is a reserved occupation, i.e. you are exempt from your reserve liability and you cannot join the TA; always used to be the case anyway. So it's not just your bosses that that have a problem with it it's the legislators too,

**countdokku** · 02-04-2006, 10:14

I've never understood why the police don't pay specials. Must be the only reserve force to work for nothing. I know some forces ae now offering a bounty, but they should stop p1ssing about and just pay them for time served.
Are specials allowed to take the firearms course? I know they can do riot training as well as the "normal" police duties.

**COS1SigBde** · 02-04-2006, 11:57

What has being a Special got to do with 1 in 7 leaving?

sounds like time for a poll?

**Green_Homer** · 02-04-2006, 12:25

I want to join the specials but they said as im in the reserve forces then I can't, citing policy clashes. Can't quite see how they can let full time police join the TA but not the specials tho... that and my mum says I'm special!! They did mumble something about there being a slim possibility of having my shift time dedicated to some sort of special beat around my uni, but made no promises.

**sandy_boots** · 02-04-2006, 12:30

Join the HAC. They have their own gang of Met police Specials.

**Green_Homer** · 02-04-2006, 12:35

No thats ok I want to join the Specials not the 'Speeeshal's ;) that and my catchement area when I go home is Kent Constabulary so you can probably guess which Infantry based TA I'm going home too.

**Tooldtodieyoung** · 02-04-2006, 15:06

Originally Posted by countdokku

I've never understood why the police don't pay specials. Must be the only reserve force to work for nothing. I know some forces ae now offering a bounty, but they should stop p1ssing about and just pay them for time served.
Are specials allowed to take the firearms course? I know they can do riot training as well as the "normal" police duties.

No Firearms does not seem to be open to Specials,... and I doubt it ever will,(despite alot of ex military, 4 on my team, all ex Infantry). That would only change if the Police were armed more generally, I think that is a way off yet. Would like to see Tazer more generally issued as it is better in some scenarios than spray having said that I have racked my ASP once in the last 12 months, and never used my spray, hope it stays that way,... I prefer to use my brain and mouth...

Riot training/PSU is being taught in some forces to Specials, at present we don't train for the latter.

I agree pay Specials, But put in place a greater annual screening process ala ITD's/MATs to make sure the right people join. At present the Specials are proper volunteers ie they don't do it for the money,... there is a danger of Bounty Hunters.. my TA unit has a few of the latter, spooky I have seen a few of late,.. I wonder why??? the latter fill spots that should be given up to those that are prepared to give the time.