| In the UK it is standard practice for police to | | | | Well, many retired police may continue to work in |
| work for 30 years, after which they are eligible | | | | law enforcement jobs but within a slightly |
| for a full police pension. In England and Wales alone | | | | different setting. For example there are many |
| there are over 142,000 police officers and given | | | | opportunities in Anti-Social Behaviour, Licensing, |
| that many would have started their journey in | | | | Noise Pollution, Waste Services, Parking / Traffic, |
| the police in their late teens or early twenties, it | | | | Planning, CCTV, Community Safety to name but |
| means they can expect to retire in their early | | | | a few. All of these kinds of job vacancies would |
| 50’s. This is a lot earlier than most of us can | | | | highly value the experience brought from thirty |
| look forward to, and is indeed a comparatively | | | | years in the force. This would allow full utilisation |
| young age in which to find yourself at the end of | | | | of all the skills that have been built up, with the |
| your career. | | | | opportunity to apply them in a new and exciting |
| So, what can a retired police officer do next? | | | | environment working for a whole host of |
| Many will of course enjoy their free time pursuing | | | | different organisations. |
| a variety of leisure interests, but for others, this | | | | Alternatively, there are a number of police jobs |
| can be a slightly boring or frustrating time and | | | | as civilian support within the various police forces, |
| they may look to continue contributing towards | | | | or a move into fraud investigation could be |
| society. The value ex-police officers can offer is | | | | considered. The most important thing to |
| sometimes unfairly undervalued but with an ever | | | | remember is that your skills will be highly values |
| ageing workforce, their skills and experience are | | | | by a number of different employers across all |
| being increasingly seen as an extremely valuable | | | | sectors, so as long as you are prepared for a |
| asset to businesses in the private sector as well | | | | fresh challenge, this could be a very exciting time |
| as within a continuing public servant role. | | | | in your life if you are approaching police |
| In fact, Scotland’s police chiefs have recently | | | | retirement. If you are not sure what to do next, |
| announced they are considering plans to draft | | | | speaking to your friends, family and colleagues is |
| retired police officers in to bolster their staff | | | | a great place to start, but also consider contacting |
| numbers should there be a worsening of the | | | | an experienced recruitment consultant who |
| swine flu (or any other) epidemic. Be that as it | | | | understands your specific needs and ambitions can |
| may, what are the more immediate options for | | | | certainly help put you on the path to your new |
| retired police officers looking to get back into | | | | vocation in life. |
| work after so many years on the force? | | | | |