Police to train driver?

[Moody1805]

I currently work in the police and I have gained many qualifications across my time and life experience.

I have applied for a driver role at southeastern and got through the application stage.

I like the thoughts of less hours with a decent basic pay (spend more time with children)

My questions are -

I have seen mixed reviews working as a driver for southeastern what is it actually like?

What is the example shift patterns?

Does the 54k wage have London weighting on top or is that all in?

Has anyone else made the jump from the police?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

[NotMattch]

What Depot are you aiming for as it varies heavily?

 

[Moody1805]

Orpington

 

[NotMattch]

Can't speak much for Orpington personally, i know they do cover a lot of grove park duties (sign on at Orpington, travel to grove park and take a train from there) as well as their own work. They also have some cover work for thameslink out of Orpington.

I belive the 54k is including the london waiting but I'm not 100% sure, if it doesn't its an additional 2k on top.

For shifts, I can say you will 100% be on the cover/spare rota for a while before being moved to another link so your duties can be a bit all over the place with split rest days during the week

With regards to how the company is, its like any other really, as long as you turn up on time your fine, bar that you are just another driver, again, can't speak directly for Orpington but the grove park team, from my interactions, are very good at taking care off their staff

I've spoken to loads of drivers and several have moved from policing over to driving, although nearly all have been down from ramsgate. There are several ex pilots and various other jobs around as well

 

[Ducatist4]

Don't forget it'll be quite some time until you hit that headline salary. You'll be on around £24k for the first year.

 

[rustyh6281@gma]

I can't talk about the TOC you are going for but PLENTY of cops have left the job to drive
I am joining LNER shortly, leaving 16 years behind me as a cop

 

[Need2]

They also have some cover work for thameslink out of Orpington.

Not for 2 years

 

[CAF397]

There are loads of ex Police, Fire, Paramedic, Armed forces at my depot. Those careers seem to have skills and personal attributes that can help transition into the drivers job.

 

[CardiffDan]

I am joining in September from police.

Nothing can be worse than being in until 10pm on a day shift, due to no one to handover to.
Working double supernoons covering town centres
Being stuck on 121s in custody for hours on end

I could go on but I'm sure you know all the ****.

In my DMI they said they could start their own police force with the amount of ex job there.

 

[LeeMck9]

Starting as a trainee driver in August after 17 years in the Police. Feeling nervous, apprehensive but excited to get started and so ready for the change. I’m not naive enough to think that it’s all going to be rosey and no doubt the old school drivers will have reason to moan about life on the railway but it’s refreshing to read that in the majority of cases, those that have made the transition from the Police have not looked back.

 

[JackO2034]

Hello mate. I’m ex forces and currently in the police. Making the jump to driving.

I’ve heard there’s loads of job in driving!!

 

[Goodwills]

Same here leaving the police after 17.5 years as a DC and have a course end of this month, can’t wait.
Most people I’ve spoken to and friends who know drivers have all said it’s a great job and they all love it.

 

[Moody1805]

thank you all for your replies!

Anyone have any idea how long the training lasts for?

 

[LCC106]

Training depends on TOCs but generally 4 months classroom based (including a couple of weeks following a driver known as front end turns, learning the traction, doing a little shunting, personal track safety, rules and mini assessments), then 240(?) hours driving following a mentor or instructor’s link and final rules assessment takes it up to 9 months. It may depend on availability of instructors after Covid hold ups. Could be different at your place.

 

[Plodster]

Retired from the police last year and now on my hours building with a Driver Instructor.

The training was fine. No NCALT… Treated like a grown up
A lot less politics and public scrutiny (although that may change with the potential industrial action ) Work your shift - key out and go home ready for tomorrow with no griefy paperwork or Niche to worry about.l etc etc etc

With my limited Railway experience I doubt you will look back. Both me and a mate in the same position say we should have done it years back!

 

[Ducatist4]

thank you all for your replies!

Anyone have any idea how long the training lasts for?

The advert says 12 months.

 

[LCC106]

The advert says 12 months.

Ah yes, always good to read the ad!

 

[CardiffDan]

Then you’ve heard wrong I’m afraid.

He's saying there are loads of ex police in driving. Don't think he is wrong.

As this is a police thread... Slight hijack.

I'm in a position where I have signed all contracts etc. Dbs check going through and it won't have any issues.

They need my reference from police before they can OK all checks.
Did anyone let them ask for a reference before handing in notice.

My start date is 26th September. So I don't need to hand notice in until end of August.
However if I don't it leaves a tight deadline so the all OK with them asking for a reference and getting it.

Can the police cause me any issues if someone asks for a reference before I tell them I'm going. I emailed the fed but still waiting to hear back

 

[Need2]

He's saying there are loads of ex police in driving. Don't think he is wrong.

Sorry, my mistake, I read the sentence wrong!

 

[Goodwills]

I don’t think there will be any issues at all, in my experience, most people knew I was looking to go, including supervisors, as I’m sure you will be aware most people say “I don’t blame you for going”, although I never told them I was going for sure till I knew.
I don’t think HR talk to line management if a request is made for a reference.

 

[CardiffDan]

I don’t think there will be any issues at all, in my experience, most people knew I was looking to go, including supervisors, as I’m sure you will be aware most people say “I don’t blame you for going”, although I never told them I was going for sure till I knew.
I don’t think HR talk to line management if a request is made for a reference.

Cheers for the reply mate.

 

[JackO2034]

Sorry, my mistake, I read the sentence wrong!

Sorry, I didn’t articulate myself very well there.

I mean’t there are a lot of ex officers that seem to make the switch to driving.

 

[Need2]

Sorry, I didn’t articulate myself very well there.

I mean’t there are a lot of ex officers that seem to make the switch to driving.

I got that after the other poster pointed it out. I read too quick!

 

[Barlos1973]

I am joining in September from police.

Nothing can be worse than being in until 10pm on a day shift, due to no one to handover to.
Working double supernoons covering town centres
Being stuck on 121s in custody for hours on end

I could go on but I'm sure you know all the ****.

In my DMI they said they could start their own police force with the amount of ex job there.

Just had interview today for Northern. As a serving PC just reading the above gives me shivers to think if I'm not successful, its more of the above

 

[Grvrdvicdr]

Don't forget it'll be quite some time until you hit that headline salary. You'll be on around £24k for the first year.

About 23ish until you complete rules course then upto about 31 until you get your key. Then 49 then after a year upto 56(including London weighting)

 

[Jaylfc147]

I've been in the police 12 years and now hate it. I've applied for TfW and just waiting to hear back. Stuck at hospital yesterday with a prisoner for 16 hours just confirms i'm making the right decision, just a number unfortunately...

 

[Trico382]

I made the jump after 11 years in the police and I’m now a mainline driver. I love it and I never (ever) thought I’d say that about a job. Could go on forever about how the job is better in every way but it’s also just my opinion. I feel lucky every day to have this job knowing what it was like by the time I left in the police and how much better from every angle this is. Best of luck you won’t regret it

 

[Barlos1973]

I've been in the police 12 years and now hate it. I've applied for TfW and just waiting to hear back. Stuck at hospital yesterday with a prisoner for 16 hours just confirms i'm making the right decision, just a number unfortunately...

Fully understand brother. Good luck with the application etc.

I made the jump after 11 years in the police and I’m now a mainline driver. I love it and I never (ever) thought I’d say that about a job. Could go on forever about how the job is better in every way but it’s also just my opinion. I feel lucky every day to have this job knowing what it was like by the time I left in the police and how much better from every angle this is. Best of luck you won’t regret it

11 years ago things were rosy compared to now....

 

[eSTeeSCe]

I was Police for 18 years before leaving for the railway. Initially I went into a control room and am now looking to become a driver.
I’ve never regretted leaving the Police for the rail industry.
Good luck.

 

[Prodigy1989]

I'm in the police; a detective and in a specialised role. I am halfway through the recruitment process! Will see how it goes

I am joining in September from police.

Nothing can be worse than being in until 10pm on a day shift, due to no one to handover to.
Working double supernoons covering town centres
Being stuck on 121s in custody for hours on end

I could go on but I'm sure you know all the ****.

In my DMI they said they could start their own police force with the amount of ex job there.

South Wales Police? How is the training going - are you glad you left?