Been a while

Hello all, been a while as the title says. Don't know where time goes these days, and the only opportunity I get to see Mugs is when I'm after the bad guys that pass through his area. Shame.

Anyway, guess what?

My application to join Western Australia Police is nearly completed and I've been told that I can join the UK officers on their testing in London, in September. All being successful, I could start at Joondalup next May, on a transitional course!!

How's that for news after so long!!

I've become seriously f**ked off with the way the government are treating the police over here, and the way the country is going, and will continue to go. We both worry about the country that Alex and Clodagh will grow up in, and the opportunities that will be available to them. From those that I know over in WA, everything will be better for us over there. Now don't get me wrong, I know I'm still going to have to work, have bills to pay, and all the other everyday hassles that life throws at us, but the prospect of having to work for another 20 years in the UK, or in WA. I know where I want to be.

Still got to get through the application phase yet, but hopeful as I'm an Australian applying so don't need sponsorship or visa assistance.

The police is not the be all and end all for us though and we will be coming whatever.

Hopefully you are all well and it'd be great to meeting you hopefully at some point in the near future.

Well done buddy, our fingers are crossed for you. Maybe you could pack the ol'mugs into a spare suitcase.

I'd love to Lez, I know how much he'd love to be out there as well.

Hi Gregster good to see you can still use a keyboard and welcome back. Hope all goes well for the transfer but make sure the medical is acceptable [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

After all of the crap we read about that has been happening with the UK soft cocks over the last 20+ years you are making the best decision.

Let me know when you have a firm date for arrival and I will organise for some fresh fish and cold beers [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Magoo

Thanks Magoo. A long way to go still, got to hear if I get through the paper sift first. Only trouble is they are looking for 'frontline' officers, I've been in a specialised role for just over 10 years so keeping everything crossed!

We are so keen to make the move, and even without getting into WAPol, if things work out right we might make the move anyway and hope work comes along fairly easily?

Cannot stand to stay here much longer, unless we have to. Recent government announcement that we should expect at least another 10% cut in spending on policing, which will devastate the service.

Hopefully I will hear in the next 12 days if I'm through the papersift. I'll keep you updated, but keep those beers cooling for now!!

unbelievable really, after all this time, losing your number too, talking about the maggot incident this morning then finding your email, was bloody good to talk and will see you as arranged on the 23rd.

I got a reply from WA, it was a no, but they had looked at my application as a UK copper, not as an Aussie! Spoke to them and they will review it once the melee has died down from the application process from the UK officers applying, 600 apparently for 250 spaces for testing in London.
Keeping everything crossed that I'll get through once they've review it, but I'll now have to come to Perth for testing as London is full!
Mugs, great speaking to you, funny how events and conversations get people talking again. Really looking forward to seeing you next Sunday.
Will keep you updated with progress.

Dammit...Oh well you'll be right mate. Keep us updated won't you.

what a great afternoon that was, thanks greg and katie

It was a great afternoon Mugs, great to see you again and have a good catch up. Lets not leave it so long next time! Still working on those dates for fishing. 

Anyway, sent WAPol an email yesterday asking if they'd managed to review my application, and hey presto, this morning arrives an email inviting me to take the entrance exam in London next Friday! Not sure how that happened as I was told I would HAVE to go to Perth for testing, but it does save a lot of money, and time off I don't really have. 

So, up to me now to pull my finger out, brush up on some exam formats and hope for the best next Friday!

Just over 24hours to go til I'm sitting my first exam in I don't know how many years!

The nerves are starting, some last minutes maths revision I think!!

good luck today mate

So, I sat the entrance exam in London and while we were on holiday I got an email with the result.

I PASSED!!!

Next step is an interview and fitness test on 20th Sept, again in London, following an information session at Aus House on 18th Sept. another step closer, but a step closer nonetheless.

Got to get out running some more. Amazing that I can ride 80mikes on a push bike and feel ok, but I run 1.7 miles and I'm blowing out of my arse!!! Plus sit ups, press ups and practising the agility test! Still lots to do, but keeping everything crossed that I nail both on the day!

Will let you know how things go.

keep at it mate

Hope it all goes well Greg, i know where i'd rather live and i haven't been to the UK  

Everything isn't rosie over here with the Police Force, but a great place to live and raise the family ...

wise words Mick

That's a worry ..... Wise @ Mick used in the same sentence ... 

Well what's happening Greg

Well, we went to a great information session at Aus House on Wednesday, spoke to a Sergeant and Inspector afterwards, and came away feeling great. 
Then back to London for the interview at 8am Friday morning, with the same Inspector who I'd been speaking with on Wednesday. We actually stood outside Aus House for about 15 mins chatting waiting for security to open up!! That helped relax me a lot. The interview went well, I think. It was quite relaxed and fairly informal, while getting asked all the questions I expected to get asked, and had prepared for. Just hope I came across well. 

A few hours kicking my heels around London before the fitness test at 2pm. Others on a police forum going through the same process were saying that the pass rate for the fitness test has been dismal, 30-50%. I tweaked my Achilles a few weeks ago, and was unable to practise the agility test, but was happy,with the rest of it. So, I gave it my best shot and bloody nailed it! There were 8 testing that day, and only 3 of us passed. I was the oldest one there and was bloody chuffed with myself. 

There are some people who have hinted that hat I have done is enough to be offered a position, but I'm not counting any chickens until I get that offer in writing, which should be mid-late October. 

It's getting to be a real possibility now, and we're trying not to get excited, but it's hard not to start thinking about our possible new life. 

Of course, I'll keep you updated with any news. Keeps those beers chilling, we're closer to enjoying them with you!  

Sounds very promising Gregster  

You will soon be up here whinging about the heat and the flies with the rest of the Pommie coppers that move over here - there seems to have been a plethora of them over the last few years !

Thanks Rainbow. It seems they struggle to recruit locally so come over here and pinch them. I'll have to explain to everyone that I am really an Aussie, just don't talk like one yet!!

Well done mate.

Yeah as Tam says Pommy coppers are definitely NOT thin on the ground over here. They're as bad as the flies. What is it with your average pom and a uniform, they love them. Coppers, prison officers, hospital orderlies etc

All the best Greg

Lez

Well, I got THE email, and it was a YES!! It arrived at 0330 this morning, and I've been awake since.

My head is spinning with everything that needs doing. I have to get some paperwork over to WA and have a medical. Fairly sure my health is ok, so hopefully it's just dotting i's and crossing t's!!!

No idea of start dates yet, I expect they will tell me once they're happy with these last few bits.

So, keep the beers chilling, and rods ready. Nearly there!! ;-)

You do realise you could have just jumped on a boat ...



Congrats .. Hope it turns out the way you hope.

I could have baldy, but have you tried keeping 2 kids hidden in a hold for weeks at a time?