Other Police Forces of the World

[JohnKelly]

If you had the opportunity of temporary duty in a Police Force in another country, what country would you chose?

My choices would be either the Northern Constabulary in Scotland or An Garda Siochana in Ireland.

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia

[ron9572]

I wouldnt mind the Metropolitan Police in London or the RCMP

[rugbyman]

I wouldnt mind the Met or a few rounds with the NYPD or LAPD.

[Wonga]

Hi John , howya doin ?

If I had the choice it'd have to be, in order of preference,
1) An Garda Siochana - Rep.of Ireland
2) One of the bigger Australian forces - great weather and sheilas
3) NYPD - home from home for so many Irish.

[rugbyman]

Actually JK, now Wonga has mentioned shiela's I fancy the idea of the beat at Surfers over summer.

Purely for professional reasons of course.

Rugbyman

[KL]

One of the Australian forces would be fun, just for the weather! LAPD for action. London Metropolitan to see what unarmed policing would be like.

[Marky-Mark]

Personally, Im quite jealous of the officers wearing shorts and t-shirts, riding an ATV up and down Miami Beach! :D

[Cockney Corner]

Well, I know someone who's just transferred to the Cayman Islands Police. How's that.

Personally, I'd like to go somewhere in the Mid-West. I've visited there a couple of times and the people are so nice. I appreciate that it may be rather different when you have to deal with the criminal element. Plus they'd never figure my accent.

[JohnKelly]

Originally posted by Marky-Mark
Personally, Im quite jealous of the officers wearing shorts and t-shirts, riding an ATV up and down Miami Beach! :D

Marky-Mark, the choice was for a Police Force in another country. Have another go mate.

;)

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia

[Marky-Mark]

Miami IS another country:D

[Sgt Lobster]

RCMP, NYPD one of the Austarlian forces and NZ.


Lobster. :)

[ron9572]

Just thinking about it I would'nt have minded the Royal Hong Kong Police, pre return to China

[PC August]

1) USA: To serve under Andy Griffith with the Mayberry PD (the lower stress levels would be nice).
2) Britain: Busting crooked financiers with those friendly white-shirted Square Mile police.
3) Cayman Islands Police: No explanation necessary.

[BlackBear]

I would like to work in Oslo, Norway.

Originally posted by KL
London Metropolitan to see what unarmed policing would be like.

KL,

It's funny you should say that because I can't imagine what it would be like working with a gun, and I'm very happy I am not armed.

[KL]

I'm not critisizing. It would be interesting to see how things are different. I wonder if wonder if you guys get more physical assaults than we do? I suspect you might.

[Sgt Lobster]

KL,

If you are asking do unarmed UK officers get assaulted more than officers carrying firearms, then I haven't got a clue.

In 20 odd years of policing I have rarely been assaulted, but when it has happened most of the offenders were drunk and/or drugged so I don't really think having been armed would have made any difference.

I've also never been in a situation where if I had been armed I would have discharged a firearm. Officers in my force have been murdered with firearms, and we do respond to many gun related incidents, so being armed is something that crosses my mind.

We are issued with body armour and a choice of batons, we also carry CS incapacitant and rigid handcuffs, and receive officer safety training. There is always armed response available 24 hours a day, but this is no use to an unarmed officer who comes across a spontaneous incident.



Lobster.

[Metro174]

Either Garda Siochana or RCMP. If with the RCMP I would definitely wanna do the Musical Ride and be posted far out in the boonies of the Yukon somewhere just for the experience of it. Pete Broccolo......I'm jealous at times. :p

[KL]

It's pure speculation on my part, but my theory is that bad guys dealing with armed police have to consider that they may end being shot if they go too far. If you know the police aren't armed what's wrong with having a fist fight and seeing how you do? The perceived stakes aren't as high. Like I said, pure speculation and I don't know if I have articulated my idea clearly enough.

The UK is a different society than Canada, so it's hard to say. If I could do my job safely without a gun I'd be all for it. Back to my original point, experiencing unarmed policing would be interesting.

[JohnKelly]

I have a genuine interest in your replies in relation to my original question as quoted below.

Please don't let it develop into another carrying of firearms debate.

The Forums of officer.com are littered with Threads on debates about the carrying of firearms.

Could you please stay on Topic.

Thanks,

JohnKelly
Australia

Originally posted by JohnKelly
If you had the opportunity of temporary duty in a Police Force in another country, what country would you chose?

My choices would be either the Northern Constabulary in Scotland or An Garda Siochana in Ireland.

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia

[KL]

Sorry JohnKelly. I agree that we don't need another carrying firearms discussion! Which Australian police force has the best beaches?

[gazza]

...lol...IF ANY OF YOU BLOKE S WANTED A STINT WITH THE AUSSIE COPS..YOU HAVE TO PUT UP WITH BLOKES LIKE J/K..HE EATS EVERYTHING AT YOUR BBQ AND LEAVES YOU NO GROG ..LMAOOOOOOOOO:p

[NSWCop]

JohnKelly:

To answer your original question I think I should like the RCMP. Failing that a rural department in Nevada, Arizona or Texas.

Originally posted by KL
Which Australian police force has the best beaches? [/B]

Ah, Now we have a debate..

Queensland have nice beaches if you don't mind the killer jelly-fish, literally.
Northern Territory don't have any decent beaches of note that aren't crocodile infested.
Some Western Australian beaches are nice, however the huge tide would probably pull you out to Sri Lanka!
South Australia have some wild and rugged beaches. White Pointer sharks also breed in the Great Australian Bight!
Victorian beaches are truly beautiful, just watch out for the ice bergs when you're surfing.
No-one ever goes to Tasmania for the beaches, ever.
New South Wales has some of the best beaches in the country. From the famous Bondi and Coogee beaches near Sydney to Bengello Beach on the south coast, to the Mimosa Rocks National Park, to..oh too many to name.
Yep, New South Wales HAS the best beaches KL.
;)

[KL]

Alright then! How about you take my horse and I'll take your beach!

[JohnKelly]

Originally posted by KL
Sorry JohnKelly. I agree that we don't need another carrying firearms discussion! Which Australian police force has the best beaches?

Thanks KL.

At the risk of being shot down in flames by my fellow Aussies, I would have to say Queensland. All States in Australia have great beaches, but Queensland has the all year round tropical weather.

The Queensland Police are currently on a big recruiting drive.

Yes NSWCop - I'll pay that in relation to the different aspects of Australian Beaches. I used to live near Stockton Beach, Newcastle.

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia

[gazza]

Come onnnnnnnnnn P/P/bay Western port the East Coast all those little hidden beaches especially round the Great Ocean Road and towards mallacotta without crossing into NSW..lol........besides NSW Cop i allways get booked just before Eden,must learn to go slower on the Yammy....cheers

[Sgt Lobster]

There's a big 'golden' beach where I work, and it's just passed EU clean water tests ! Unfortunately the Irish Sea tends to be grey, cold and uninviting, and the surfing is non-existent ! We've also got a pretty progressive police force, and some of the best scenery in England.



Lobster. :D

[co911]

While I recognize the intent of the original question, you all may be interested to find out which countries you actually CAN work in.

For example, The NZers can easily work in Australia and vice versa (even if the lateral program offered is a little one-sided). The Kiwis and Aussies can go work in some UK police forces (as I understand it), because some English depts require only that applicants be a "Citizen of the Commonwealth". This agreement however is not reciprocal, as English cops can't work in Australia unless they are Aussie permenent residents or citizens. Strangely, the UK cops can work in NZ, and the NZ Police recently had a recruitment drive to attract laterals from the UK. I think they got about 90.

While international reciprocal agreements do exist, there are no Canadian depts you can join without being a Canadian landed immigrant or citizen. The last rumor I heard was that Toronto had held an international recruiting drive.

As for the US, despite the widely held belief that you have to be a US citizen to be a cop here, you don't, as you can join with a green card. I know of two overseas officers UK/Australia) who came to the U.S and were offered lateral positions (but still had to complete their academy/FTO/Probations etc).

Any further information on any of the above comments is welcomed.

[Sgt Lobster]

Present requirement s for UK forces are as follows:

Nationality requirements. You must be a British citizen, an EC/EEA national or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom.



Lobster.

[Sgt Lobster]

If you are interested in police recruitment in England & Wales take a look at this link:

http://www.policecouldyou.co.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=1

In England & Wales the police are the ultimate responsibility of the Home Office, but you will also find links for other UK forces.




Lobster.

[JohnKelly]

Good Post 911.

I remember years ago, when the sun never sat on the British Empire, there were heaps of jobs in the Colonial Police Forces throughout the world and British Constables/Sergeants were able to transfer to the Police Forces of these countries and were given the rank of Inspector.

Examples that come to mind were The Royal Hong Kong Police, Singapore Police, Malay Police, Palistine Police, Rodesia Police; there were others, but I can't recall them all. This system also applied to British Prison Officers for appointment as Prison Governors.

Ah, but those days have long gone.

Cheers,
JohnKelly
Australia

[Sgt Lobster]

They were certainly advertising in the UK for officers to join the RHKP as inspectors well into the 1980s, and possibly even the 1990s.
Hong Kong went back to China in 1997, and I cannot remember seeing advertisments in the years immediately proceeding the handover.

The Bermuda Police however still regularly advertise for British constables. There are however downsides, as you need to either resign from your UK force or take a career break. Either way you loose pensionable service if/when you return to policing in the UK.



Lobster.

[gazza]

Used to be the same with the Prison Service, 1973 was the last big intake of prison officers from the Uk and Ireland,they had to pay half the travel which after 1 year of service was reimbursed,they then had accomadation at the now defunct staff Training College at Watsonia,we still have 4/5 of the original lads from this left in the system ,a couple of years ago the UK Home Office and the Vic Dept of Justice (prisons ) offered yearly swaps to interested partys supposedlly interest from the UK was high but here in Victoria the response was very lukewarm.....maybe the weather???...i will give the Pommy lads this though the experience that they brought with them was invaluable and we still operate on some of the old country ways

[Sgt Lobster]

I know a couple of officer who did a bit of time on secondment to the Falkland Islands. Apparently they don't need to lock the prisoners up in the local gaol as theye've got nowhere to go lol !



Pat.

[gazza]

Falklands didnt think they would have a nick SGT...long long swim to ...lol.....and cold

[Sgt Lobster]

gazza,

Apparently the prison is at Port Stanley, and from what my mate told me in the unlikley event of anybody being convicted of a serious offence they would probably be shipped to a UK prison. I believe the population of the Falkland Islands is just over 2000 so everybody pretty much knows everyone else. Also as you say rightly say it's a long cold swim if you want to do a runner !


Lobster. :D

[JohnKelly]

Originally posted by Metro174
Either Garda Siochana or RCMP. If with the RCMP I would definitely wanna do the Musical Ride and be posted far out in the boonies of the Yukon somewhere just for the experience of it. Pete Broccolo......I'm jealous at times. :p

That's only because you also want to ride through the Rockies wearing your Scarlet Tunic and singing 'O Rosemarie I Love You' :D

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia

[KL]

That's pretty much what I do every day, when I'm not on dog sled patrol delivering medicine to isolated Eskimo villages! :D

[NSWCop]

Originally posted by KL
That's pretty much what I do every day, when I'm not on dog sled patrol delivering medicine to isolated Eskimo villages! :D

KL:
You must be kidding...isolated eskimo villages???
You know what I did today?

I had to deliver a juvenile to a detention centre, so, on the way I HAD to drive past a place called "Seven Mile Beach", yup it was literally named too.
The weather was clear and a lovely 22 degress Celsius!
After I and my partner had delivered the juvvy, we drove down to Wollongong north and south beaches, just to check out the chicks in bikinis...er, sorry.. patrol the area for hoodlums.. (no hoodlums sighted, however we advanced the cause of Community policing another notch!)
Then back down south, past Seven Mile Beach, following the coast all the way home.
I know, its a tough life, but,
some-one has to do it!! :D :D

[KL]

You might be interested in the offer I recently received. I was contacted by our "V" Division. This division covers the Nunavut Territory. If you're wondering where that is, look at a map of Canada. Just to the left of Greenland is Nunavut. RCMP members are posted at various remote fly-in settlements. There is usually just two or three members and a couple hundred Inuit (Eskimos)in each place. If someone wants to go on leave they need a replacement to come in on relief. Because I have experience in First Nations Policing (how's that for a PC term?) I was asked to help out. Unfortunately, I wasn't available. Maybe next time, because I'd love to do it! Right about now they have almost no daylight and it's about minus 5 C. No babes on the Artic Ocean beach!

[PeteBroccolo]

Originally posted by Sgt Lobster
RCMP, NYPD one of the Austarlian forces and NZ.


Lobster. :)
Sometimes, even I don't want to be here!:D

[PeteBroccolo]

Originally posted by JohnKelly
That's only because you also want to ride through the Rockies wearing your Scarlet Tunic and singing 'O Rosemarie I Love You' :D

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia
Actually, and this is NOT BS, I **did** that one time, and got my butt chewed out!

Well, ok...I was NOT on horse back, NOR in the Rockies! I was on the stage of a community hall, singing during a fund-raiser. When the idiot Inspector read my Crime Prevention/Police Community Relations report, he called my Corporal in and told him to tell me to NEVER do that again, because the movie gave a bad impression of the Force!

Apparently, that officer's lobotomy resulted in greater side-effects than usual!!;)

[Sgt Lobster]

Originally posted by PeteBroccolo
Sometimes, even I don't want to be here!:D

Pete,

The grass always seem greener, but an attachment to the RCMP certainly appeals. It's an unfortunate fact that most foreign exchanges are undertaken by senior officers and not the plods !


Lobster. :)

[hooahmedic]

Can a Yank join the topic of discussion?

Ireland would be my choice. My family hertiage is from County Tyrone. Just so I could experience the people, the country, a whole
lot slower pace, oh yeah, forgot one...........beer.

Heck, I don't much at all about what kind of policing goes on but
I'd go in a heart beat. How do you think my Texas/East Tennessee accent would go over? :D

[JohnKelly]

hooahmedic - You asked, "Can a Yank join the topic of discussion?"

Of course you can mate, that is what the International Law Enforcement Forum is all about - it's International and not related to any particular country(s).

County Tyrone is a nice part of Ireland - The Police Force responsible for Nth Ireland is the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland). It used to be known as the Royal Ulster Constabulary. In my opinion the name should never have been changed, other changes, yes, but not the name, anyway, that's another story.

In relation to your Texas/East Tennessee accent; jeez, I'd love to be a fly on the wall when you did your first 'Walk through' of the local Pubs.

;) :D

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia

[hooahmedic]

I've been purusing (Texan for - looking :D) the Garda and PSNI web sites. Very interesting. Maybe it's not so laid back after all.
Any of those cities could be here in American, except the uniforms are a bit differant and of course the absence of.........well, you know.

[wypspecial]

One fairly significant difference between the Garda

[Sgt Lobster]

We always find both the Guarda & the PSNI very helpful - the town I work is very popular with Irish tourists.


Lobster.