Quick question for the Brits

[DeusExMachina]

I'm thinking of moving to the UK after college or so and I was wondering if my degree in America would matter there and since I am a foreigner, would Scotland Yard be able to hire me or...would I have to be there for a few years or something? Or can they not hire me at all?

 

[ComradeBadger]

Depends on where you got your degree from, and yes, I think you'd have to be living here for a few years

 

[The Dark Elf]

You can work here for a while on some sort of visa IIRC, like in most countries. But it'll probably prevent you from taking specific types of work.

Your best bet is to simply contact them and ask questions. You might get lucky, you might not, but they will be the best people to speak to.

FYI Scotland Yard isn't like it looks on TV, and its nothing really all that special, just a detective branch of the police force for Greater London. So I would think to work there doing anything more than filing you'd probably need to move up the ranks from the bottom. Moving around the country a lot to further your chances. I don't think its the sort of job you'd be able to jump right into. Unless your a detective or high up officer of the law already.

Pretty sure though for any of this you'll need some kind of checkable work history and a no criminal record.

 

[DeusExMachina]

You can work here for a while on some sort of visa IIRC, like in most countries. But it'll probably prevent you from taking specific types of work.

Your best bet is to simply contact them and ask questions. You might get lucky, you might not, but they will be the best people to speak to.

FYI Scotland Yard isn't like it looks on TV

I've never seen Scotland Yard on TV. I just wanna work for law enforcement.

 

[The Dark Elf]

I've never seen Scotland Yard on TV. I just wanna work for law enforcement.

You might be best trying with the voluntary police area then. It's pretty thankless work and while you look the part you don't get many of the benefits. But its good training out in the field, and looks good on a resume when applying for actual work in the force. I'd definately be prepared to start from the bottom and work up. But also contact places like the Yard and find out the kinds of qualifications that would benefit you more. Also check for training schemes.

tbh though you might find it easier to start off in your own country. Spend a few years doing it there, then maybe get involved in some swap over scheme that I've seen them do a few times. Also easier to save up, its not all that well paid over here and jumping into it in a different country, if its even possible without waiting years etc. might make life more difficult for you than it should be.

I think if you got far in law enforcement in the US first, it would definately make things easier for coming to the UK and joining the police force here. Would cut out a lot of what ifs and questions they might have about your ability and experience.

 

[DeusExMachina]

Hmm...that's a good idea. I barely thought about that. Thanks.

 

[The Dark Elf]

Hmm...that's a good idea. I barely thought about that. Thanks.

Also what area of law enforcement are you interested in? There's quite a diverse selection available from the "bobby on the beat", to riot and crowd control, investigation, to CCTV operators to emergency call center and data centers to traffic police, to armed response units, forensics so on and so forth.

I'd look into each area, find out as much information as you can. Perhaps see if you can get some kind of work experience, then concentrate on that area. In cases like forensics your looking at many years studying and probably not going directly into it but going through general medical research first then moving over to police work at a later date.

 

[baron insig]

american degrees worth fekall, if a brit goes to america with a-levels they have better qualifications than americans would have graduating from highschool

I do believe that is the case

 

[DeusExMachina]

Well, I'm planning to work for the FBI here and I'm more interested in investigation work than beat. Actually, I'd rather not do anything that has to do with patrol, I want to get into investigation work right away. But, from the officers I've asked around here they say you have to work on patrol a couple years or so and then be chosen by your lieutenant or something for detective work. I know in some European countries, they keep it separate as in there's a place to apply for detective work and to apply for patrol work. They don't make you work patrol first, then switch. I don't think the UK does that though. I was just going to work in the UK for a few years then come back to the US and work for the FBI. Yes, strange, but...I don't know, its something I'd like to do. I understand MI5 is like our FBI correct?

 

[DreadLord]

american degrees worth fekall, if a brit goes to america with a-levels they have better qualifications than americans would have graduating from highschool

I do believe that is the case

Uhh I should hope so.. as a high school education won't get you far here. And don't bash america's degrees and colleges, we have excellent higher education.

 

[kirovman]

You'd probably have to get some kind of work permit. And you'd get that if the Metropolitan police were prepared to sponsor you.

So it'd help if you had evidence of previous interest in law enforcement.

Your degree would probably be ok, but that depends on which University you went to. Bare in mind that it's difficult for foreigners to come to the UK to work.

 

[The Dark Elf]

Well, I'm planning to work for the FBI here and I'm more interested in investigation work than beat. Actually, I'd rather not do anything that has to do with patrol, I want to get into investigation work right away. But, from the officers I've asked around here they say you have to work on patrol a couple years or so and then be chosen by your lieutenant or something for detective work. I know in some European countries, they keep it separate as in there's a place to apply for detective work and to apply for patrol work. They don't make you work patrol first, then switch. I don't think the UK does that though. I was just going to work in the UK for a few years then come back to the US and work for the FBI. Yes, strange, but...I don't know, its something I'd like to do. I understand MI5 is like our FBI correct?

I think its like that here too. Patrols and such all leads to more experience, and a detective with such experience will naturally be better at their job than a green recruit. Though I guess its not unheard of for someone to jump right in. But you'd probably need very good qualifications to manage that.

tbh I think your best off working your way up through the ranks, you'll appreciate the experience you'd get from it and while it would take a lot longer, you'd come out of it with more knowledge in your line of work and an understanding how other area's operate. Making you, as I say better at your job. Same applies to most careers really. A guy who runs a chain of stores succesfully, will have likely had experience on the ground floor, doing the foot work, checkout, stocking shelves, learning how it all comes together from experience rather than guesswork, what it says on a piece of paper. Not only that but you'd gain experience in dealing with criminals and the general public, learning from your collegues and those above you, all of which will benefit you later on.

Yes it'll be hard work, yes it'll take a long time. But ultimately you'll be glad of it. And when trying to get your point across, they'll take your comments more seriously, because you have all these years behind you where you've actually gone out and done the work, knowing at a glance what should be done in a given situation.

 

[DeusExMachina]

Wow, you've been a tremendous help in this. Thank you. I've been thinking of majoring in Law and that'd help me a lot more than just majoring in Pre-Law or Criminal Justice. I'll have to see some more of my options. Probably talk to my guidance counselor about it soon. Again, thanks for the info and advice.

 

[Cooper]

Dues if you seriously want to get into law enforcement then check out this: http://forums.officer.com/forums/index.php?

There is no better information then the stuff directly from the source.

 

[DeusExMachina]

I'll be sure to check it out.

 

[Sulkdodds]

If you're going to join street 'on the beat' police, I hear the Metropolitan Police pay far better for pretty much the same job.

You will be beaten to death by chavs with broken bottles!

 

[DeusExMachina]

lol, I just remembered I'm gonna have to cut my hair when I apply for any law enforcement work. All these years of growing it and one day I'm gonna have to cut most of it off.

 

[kirovman]

Become a vigilante police officer. Be the law, rather than enforce it.

 

[DEATH eVADER]

I'm thinking of moving to the UK after college or so and I was wondering if my degree in America would matter there and since I am a foreigner, would Scotland Yard be able to hire me or...would I have to be there for a few years or something? Or can they not hire me at all?

Probably have to be a full UK citizen before getting a job at Scotland Yard as it is a internal security force