Police to Railway

[stawbs83]

Hello all,

Old threads have briefly covered this topic but I’m unable to revive them. Looking to see whether anyone on here would be willing to share their experiences of moving from the police to positions in the railway that aren’t necessarily as train drivers. What are the opportunities for career progression? Any regrets?

Based in Scotland but would welcome any insights from across the UK.

 

[HamSandwich]

I was never in the police, but there are loads of ex-police working as signallers. It's all about the transferrable skills, being able to follow rules and working under pressure etc etc.

 

[Horizon22]

There are plenty of ex-police working as signallers as mentioned above but also in control rooms around the country too.

I'm sure some people who have directly made the move will give you their personal experiences shortly.

 

[scotraildriver]

A few years ago almost every training course had ex police on it. Drivers,guards whatever really. Unfortunately ex police have fallen a bit out of favour, they've had their fingers burnt with considerable numbers taking their police pension then wanting part time hours thus not getting a return their training costs, not to mention more than a few candidates who ticked the boxes and turned out to be terrible employees, mainly in the attitude department. Concerns were also raised from all the emergency services regarding the mass loss of staff to the railway. There is a much wider spread of backgrounds now.

 

[Crazyb]

Never in the police, but we have most of Essex and North London at my depot. (Drivers) lol

All have no regrets when talking in the mess room and happy driving. Most have said, the police force is not what it used to be, and did the police take a hit on their pensions?

Also a big pay rise for them, with no stress.

 

[NorthernTech]

Hello all,

Old threads have briefly covered this topic but I’m unable to revive them. Looking to see whether anyone on here would be willing to share their experiences of moving from the police to positions in the railway that aren’t necessarily as train drivers. What are the opportunities for career progression? Any regrets?

Based in Scotland but would welcome any insights from across the UK.

Just go to the search bar, top right, type in ‘Police’ and select ‘this forum’. Absolutely loads of stuff comes up from previous enquiries.

 

[AverageJoe]

I feel like police ask this question more than any other industry

Wasn’t there almost a carbon copy of this a month ago?

 

[NorthernTech]

I feel like police ask this question more than any other industry

Wasn’t there almost a carbon copy of this a month ago?

 

[godfreycomplex]

not to mention more than a few candidates who ticked the boxes and turned out to be terrible employees, mainly in the attitude department.

I’m afraid to say that this is quite a common problem

 

[Owen2323]

I feel like police ask this question more than any other industry

Wasn’t there almost a carbon copy of this a month ago?

I think that's because it's a MASSIVE deal to leave the Police. There's no other 'career' that offers that level of job security (and pension although that's on the decline).

I'm ex Police and now a driver - the railway is fantastic!! I've never had a job where you are so well looked after.

 

[AverageJoe]

I think that's because it's a MASSIVE deal to leave the Police. There's no other 'career' that offers that level of job security (and pension although that's on the decline).

I'm ex Police and now a driver - the railway is fantastic!! I've never had a job where you are so well looked after.

Yeh it seems the police is a way of life, it’s like moving out the parents house and taking on a new life

 

[Zontar]

I’m afraid to say that this is quite a common problem

I don't disagree with this. I've met plenty of ex bobbies that don't take the railway seriously at all. Seen them get their fingers burnt too.

Having said that, it's unfair to tarnish them all with the same brush. I've met some brilliant ex bobbies who don't have the attitude or ego that many of their counterparts have.

 

[CJBX]

The most common career progression for drivers seems to be Driving Instructor and/or DTM. There are however plenty more roles.

I'm not sure about other than drivers but I believe conductors have similarly aligned roles.

I left the Police with 15 years behind me. I echo what has been said above about the Police make people believe it is a huge deal to leave.

The police hold an umbrella over you and tell you they protect you from all that bad weather. Then one day you look out from the umbrella and realise it isn't raining.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Having said that, it's unfair to tarnish them all with the same brush. I've met some brilliant ex bobbies who don't have the attitude or ego that many of their counterparts have.

Oh so have I absolutely. Some of the best operators I know, in fact. If only they were all like that...

The police hold an umbrella over you and tell you they protect you from all that bad weather. Then one day you look out from the umbrella and realise it isn't raining.

Sometimes you could say the same about the railway...

 

[krisg92]

Hello all,

Old threads have briefly covered this topic but I’m unable to revive them. Looking to see whether anyone on here would be willing to share their experiences of moving from the police to positions in the railway that aren’t necessarily as train drivers. What are the opportunities for career progression? Any regrets?

Based in Scotland but would welcome any insights from across the UK.

I left the police recently after nearly 10 years and still very much early in my driving career.

So far my experience has been great, it's a huge step to leave the police, I always thought it would be a career for life, but as I'm sure your aware it was becoming more and more challenging. I miss some aspects, driving on blues, going to the very few but interesting calls, colleagues etc. but on a whole the jump is so much better for me. It suits my family, less time to commute, work less, paid more, manage my own time, rarely told what to do. I think a lot comes down to personal preference of how you like to work. I quite enjoy my own company.

I found the annual leave system a bit challenging and something I will have to get used to, that being said most people try to help you out where they can. The learning curve was very steep, but once your on top it mellows out a bit.

Overall a big, scary but very good jump for me.

 

[REO Nate]

20+ years of police service.

Joined the railway as a Railway Enforcement Officer, moved to conductor/guard and now a driver.

Couldn’t be happier with the change in career. I have a fantastic team and work with a number of my former police colleagues at my depot.

 

[dutchbedford]

A few years ago almost every training course had ex police on it. Drivers,guards whatever really. Unfortunately ex police have fallen a bit out of favour, they've had their fingers burnt with considerable numbers taking their police pension then wanting part time hours thus not getting a return their training costs, not to mention more than a few candidates who ticked the boxes and turned out to be terrible employees, mainly in the attitude department. Concerns were also raised from all the emergency services regarding the mass loss of staff to the railway. There is a much wider spread of backgrounds now.

This. As a hiring manager, the biggest issue I’ve seen in the past is ex-police who can’t seem to remember they are firmly in the ‘ex’ department.

 

[AverageJoe]

This. As a hiring manager, the biggest issue I’ve seen in the past is ex-police who can’t seem to remember they are firmly in the ‘ex’ department.

I’m curious as to what traits they are bringing across?

 

[dutchbedford]

I’m curious as to what traits they are bringing across?

Mainly forgetting that they don’t have the powers of a police officer, some can’t handle that which leads to complaints, manhandling, poor attitudes in general. It’s not all though, I will say I’ve employed some on both sides of the coin, some have made stellar railway colleagues.