How much time on duty is spent doing the exciting stuff we see on TV?
The very nature of police work means that it is often unpredictable and I have spent a few eight-hour shifts bored out of my tiny skull with not a job in sight! Other shifts fly by with barely a moment’s rest. But a typical shift is more likely to be a mixture of jobs where you are actually doing things and a fair amount of time spent patrolling, doing paperwork, reading briefings, and sometimes just generally waiting for the next job. It depends too on where you are based – “blues and twos” jobs are relatively few and far between for a Special in a rural location – while if you’re a Special in central London then they are far more common! If you join up expecting to be flying around in police cars and saving the world every minute of every duty, then you are in for a disappointment! Have a look at my description of a typical duty – it will give you an idea at least of what we get up to (see sidebar).
Related Questions
- I did all my parents probate and had spent alot of time doing it. Can I claim compensation for the time I spent doing it as I had to have time off work?
- How much time will be spent doing activities, tours, presenting our lesson plans during the week?
- How much time on duty is spent doing the exciting stuff we see on TV?
