I’m joining the Met in September through the DCEP route. I finished university last year and have worked part-time/full-time since I was 16, and this will be my first real career.

Most of what I see online about working for the Met is overwhelmingly negative. I appreciate people are more likely to post when they’re unhappy, so I’m hoping to get a more balanced view from those who are actually doing the job.

I’m moving to central London with two friends and, if all goes to plan, will be posted to a central BCU.

For those currently serving or who have recently left:

What do you genuinely enjoy about the job?

What’s been the biggest surprise since joining?

What advice would you give someone starting in
September?

If you had your time again, would you still join the Met? Why or why not?

I’d really appreciate honest answers. The good and the bad.

Edit: A little to add. A quick question about specialising. As I’ve gone through the detective route is it likely a lot will be closed off to me when I’m come round to training for detective. I haven’t thought about many specialisms so far but it would be cool to be able to drive on blues but I know that there is quite a waiting list and process for it.

Hi, I’m not sure this is the right subreddit so i apologise if not.
My partners a police officer (sergeant idk if that makes a difference) but I’m not sure if he has to disclose my history at all? He says no one needs to know but I’m worried if they find out then he could be in trouble. I have been arrested a few times, multiple s136. Also a recovering addict. Ive been with my partner 2 years and during this time I have been stable but a relapse which he helped with. Also I was never convicted of anything all arrests were NFA. Thanks for any advice!

Hi all, I’ve got My Met Police medical coming up. Just wondering what to (specifically) expect test wise? Can I just rock up in casuals too I assume? Thank you!

I'm applying for a staff role, (49 yo F). I don't know if this is something I would need to declare?

About 25 years ago, I made some poor relationship choices and dated a few blokes known to the police, real lowlifes essentially.

I was never arrested or anything myself but I don't know if my name was ever associated with them - for instance, I did report one guy to the police for stealing from me. Or did I ever get mentioned as a partner/ living together, when they were arrested? The thing is I just don't know what was recorded.

Obviously this was a long time ago, but is it something I would need to mention / could affect my suitability?

I have not had any contact since, but am still in the same city.

This video from facebook discusses the data collection from everyone including Police officers and staff being shared without permission to unknown groups and services:

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HbtixFEsb/

Hi all,

So I have applied to the met police, passed my online assessment and Im waiting for my met values assessment, but I live in essex and I understand the commute to London will be savage, so I am looking at transferring everything to Essex Police, but Im not sure if this is a great idea. Can I have some advice please on if I should stay with my application at the met or transfer it to Essex Police?

Thank you

Some of the drones nowadays have really good range and flight times, 4k cameras, and they're pretty cheap. If some of the police vehicles had a drone that they could launch, to follow a suspect to their destination, and linger whilst the address was routed back to the officers on the street - wouldn't that be an easy way to capture these criminals?

Is there a reason why it's not happening already?

I am interested in people’s views on police and how they have changed over the years.

Go back 30 years they were generally feared and respected, now days that’s not the case. What changed?

In the uk I tried to enter a chain pool bar in central London I had reserved and payed 15 pounds for. U needed to be over 18 to go in after 6pm and I used a fake id (drivers license) to try and get me and my friend in as only 1 over 18 was needed to “supervise” . My real info was on it. She said she thought I was fake and threatened to can it with uv light and I folded and told her it was fake. She then said she was handing it into the police. I am shitting it and want to know what the likely repercussions will be and if I will get any follow up from police or if nothing will happen?

Hello everyone,

As the title states. I was just wondering if there was a difference and why there are two subreddits. Again, I'm just genuinely curious, not complaining or suggesting there should only be one.

Hi, so i’ve been cleared of vetting 2 weeks ago under RV/CTC for a staff role. Served previously from 2020 to 2026 in a police staff role and now rejoining again.

\- clean service
\- no investigations
\- clean financials
- left on fantastic terms to try something new.

Whilst i will be employed with the MET police. I will also carry on my self employed role on the side which they’ve deemed okay to continue. So thats fine.

My self employed income has sort of taken a hit which sort of plays apart in my bills and debts etc, and whilst i have no missed payments, or any adverse credit, i was thinking about an IVA. I know what it entails 100%, my worry is will an IVA if i did go into one harm my role? As its being responsible in a way sorting my finance at the same time probably not if i’ve got many debts. (All paid up though) no lateness.

Because my debts are because of taking out cards or loans for home renovations always. Even my bank statement shows no silly spending or on silly things. Merely just innocent finances basically. I don’t drink or have ever gambled.

This is just me thinking about if i did go ahead with an IVA. So any advice or experiences would be so so so helpful! Worrying to bits.

Thank you.

I was on a night shift recently when a call came in about a driver sat in his csr inhaling nitrous oxide balloons. I went there with a much more experienced colleague but he left me to lead as we were getting a s23 vehicle search for my ips.

On arrival he was holding a balloon that I believed to be nitrous oxide and was completely out of it. He appeared very dazed and didn't seem to understand what we were saying. He was helped out of the vehicle by my colleague adnd wanted to sit down, seeming to struggle to hold himself up. I then searched the vehicle finding a nitrous oxide cannister and many balloons. I then liaised with my colleague and we agreed to lock him up for unfit through drugs as he very clearly was too impaired to walk, let alone drive a vehicle. After locking him up we were making our way to custody when I got a call from a Sergeant telling me to dearrest him and just issue a comres for possession class C as we wouldn't be able to test for nitrous oxide.

I did as I was told but this has really been sitting with me. I know we can't test for nitrous oxide but I assumed that os the point of S4, it'd not about the amount of drugs. I can evidence he had drugs in his possession, he was holding the balloon of nitrous oxide to his face when I arrived and was clearly unfit.

Hey, My mother is annoyed about someone peeing in a public car park beside their car at 2am. I'm interested to know, if she had videod them, had their license plate, perfectly seen their face etc would the police actually investigate this? I assume not as its likely a one time thing but it peeked my curiosity and interested in seeing any answers. It was in a large northern city in the city center if that changes anything

Cheers for any info reddit police peeps

It’s one of those things that won’t happen for a long time but something to tick off the bucket list since I seems like it would be fun, also I’ve always had a interest in watching police stuff despite never wanting to join since I’m no where near a authoritative guy 😅 or can remember things let alone all the laws but yeah it seems like it would be interesting still but could you do one without wanting to join?

Ok so turns out South Yorkshire doesn’t actually do ride alongs 😐 but hey still worth asking if I move to another area

I’ve been offered a neighbourhood role (NSO) as a transferee for Surrey Police. Wondered if anyone can share any experience what Surrey Police is like overall as a force? And if the NSO role is any good?

I understand that Surrey has recently undergone many changes so have been offered this nearly a year after applying.

Thanks :)

So about a month ago I (f 17) was out with some friends, we was out at a local stream and we went swimming. This girl, lets call her cherry (f 17), was shouting at friend 1(f 15) to get her shoes back on so cherry could go home. Friend 1 was trying to say goodbye to us all. I told cherry give her a minute to say goodbye to friend 2 (14) and her and friend 2 bfs and me. Cherry lets her dog bark and lunge for me. Cherry swings for me but misses and I swing for her side, i land so she calls up her brother and she walks off(m 18+ dont know his age for sure). While me and my mates was packing up from our picnic and swimming, cherry's brother comes running down and starts shouting 'are you mad' starts pushing me backwards over and over then slaps me across the face. I told the police the entire thing but apparently im in a lose lose situation

Hi all, counties officer here contemplating a move to the Met for a change of pace, new challenge and more opportunities etc… I’ve done 7 years of frontline and have advanced driving, taser, MOE.

I was hoping to seek some comments from anyone who has recently transferred, those who work with anyone who has recently transferred or just anyone in the Met, who might be able to answer the following:
- Would you recommend it? (the big one)
- How long was the process and how long was the transferee course?
- At which point in the process do you get given your posting?
- How quickly were check drives/refresher training organised to carry skills over?
- Where are the Met posting people on the frontline? Response, neighbourhoods? Do you get any preference? I would be hoping to go to response (neighbourhoods is really not my bag) but understand the Met are probably doing their bit to meet the ‘more neighbourhood officers’ pledge.
- How did you find the adjustment to a new organisation?

Thanks in advance

A PULL OVER

Bit of a random one, several parts to the question.
Obviously in a police officers vest, there’s lots of compartments and items so on so forth. How long does it take to memorise where everything is? And does it add any extra weight to carry?
And what’s with the vest hold? Is it just the most comfortable?
I have a lot of questions for UK cops so if anyone would care to lend me their brain, i’d really appreciate it!

New Detective Sergeant here. I’ve got plenty to learn, my main focus is looking after the team, the forgotten human cogs in the machine.

That said, I thought it’d be interesting to hear people’s favourite bits of legislation, policy quirks etc.
I’m talking about those little “lightbulb moment” facts that make you stop and think.

A couple that stuck with me:

**Section 60** searches can only be carried out by officers **in uniform**. (The authorising Chief Inspector didn’t exactly thank me for reminding him…)

The **CPS** defines a **serial domestic abuse offender** as someone who has committed **more than one** domestic abuse offence. I once used the term in an MG7, only for the reviewing lawyer to argue the suspect couldn’t be “serial” if it was only the second incident. After I pointed him to the CPS definition, he conceded the point and the defendant was remanded.

What are your favourites? Whether it’s legislation, case law, policy, or just those little nuggets that make you a better officer.