Police with type1

[Kerr1992]

Hi,

Whats the deal with joining the police with T1?

I hear there is quite heavy discrimination.

Cheers
Craig

 

[novorapidboi26]

I cant be sure but I don't think you can get in if you want to do actual street policing............

after a Google though its seems as though you may be able to join but there may be an in depth assessment of your control and I would assume there may be some duties that you may not be permitted to do.........

 

[Kerr1992]

I believe you can do normal policing work but I heard you couldn't drive or use firearms etc ... Joining the fireservice is easier and i believe that would be more risky as a diabetic lol

 

[novorapidboi26]

if your keen its definitely worth inquiring..........

I would have fancied being in the force too......

 

[Kerr1992]

Its more a backup. I'm at uni and going through a bit of a tough patch lol. Looking at various options lol

 

[novorapidboi26]

uni and diabetes can be tough, never mind all the other stuff that goes on during that time of life.......

what are you studying.......?

 

[sclayth]

Hi, I'm T1 and a serving police officer, although was already in the job when I was diagnosed in December last year.

I work in the emergency response department, so fully front line, and have been allowed to keep my full response and pursuit driving accreditation providing I test every two hours and my blood sugar is 5 or above.

I have been working quite closely with the welfare department, but so far have only been told two roles I cannot apply for: PSU (riot police) and Firearms. Both because there could be prolonged periods of exercise where I would be unable to monitor my blood sugar or take corrective actions. It's a shame, but common sense really.

Overall my experience at work has been very positive and supportive so hopefully if you do decide to apply, your diabetes should not be a problem.

Good luck!

 

[Kerr1992]

I'm studying accountancy and finance. I came to uni later than some as I'm 22 just now and don't have many of the other worries some of these 18 year olds have lol. I have a partner and a house so no parent issues, no "oh **** i fancy that girl and don't know what do do" issues either lol. I pretty much turn up do the work then go home. Oh and I have a cat so that takes on the position of child lol, even though its worse than a child! haha

Diabetes hasn't really affected my studying that I'm aware of its more the maths lol. I took this course after being told I didn't need any mad mathmatical skills only to find out the equations are just a whole load of nope lol.

Sclayth, thanks for that response it gave me a bit of a boost. I actually wanted to be a traffic cop as I love driving and anything motoring based. Mainly motorbikes lol. I would be happy being a regular officer though if I couldn't specialise in any of these departments. I wonder if it would be worth emailing the recruitment department to get some information?

Cheers
Craig

 

[sclayth]

No worries; thought it was about time I gave back to the forum as have been reading it for long enough without contributing!

I've never asked about the traffic department, however I can't see that it would be a problem; I have heard of traffic officers with T2, but dont know any personally. And Diabetes certainly wouldn't stop you specialising in other departments, with financial crime being the obvious choice based on your current studies. I guess it's all down to the level of control you have. My control is pretty good at the moment, helped no doubt by the honeymoon period. If, however, I reach a point where I'm regularly stranded, unable to drive the car because my bloods have dropped unexpectedly before 5, then I would question my ability to perform this role and ask to be moved elsewhere. The last thing I want would be to put my colleagues and members of public in danger because I can't help due to hypoglycaemia.

Email the recruitment department but don't be put of if you get a negative response. I don't know what the current policy is but some forces may be more open that others. Be aware as well that some recruitment departments may manage a couple of different police forces, and not necessarily neighbouring ones, so be persistent!

 

[Kerr1992]

Well I sent them a quick email. I am a relatively well controlled diabetic but because I'm quite active (played rugby, use the gym and mountain biking) I tend to keep it more between 8 - 12 which is what was recommended on the DAFNE when exercising. plus my current work involves warm environments which I found drops the sugar levels. I'm pretty lucky mines have always been on a 1:1 ratio aswell lol

 

[sclayth]

Fingers crossed you won't have any problems then!

I'm interested to know what reply you get, please keep us updated, and obviously if you have any questions along the way, feel free to contact me ☺

 

[noblehead]

I've never asked about the traffic department, however I can't see that it would be a problem; I have heard of traffic officers with T2, but dont know any personally.

There was a feature in the Balance magazine probably around 12-18 months ago with a Traffic Officer who had type 1 diabetes, initially he had to jump through a few hurdles but got there in the end, I'm sure it said he was a spokesman for people with diabetes in the Police, perhaps if any of you contact DUK that might be able to post or email you the article.

Craig, good luck and hope your application is successful.

 

[malky39]

I believe you can do normal policing work but I heard you couldn't drive or use firearms etc ... Joining the fireservice is easier and i believe that would be more risky as a diabetic lol

As far as I am aware you cannot be in the fireservice with type 1 due to the nature of the job

 

[CarbsRok]

Diabetes and the Police Officer - Diabetes UK – Care ...
www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Reports/police_Report_FINAL.pdf · PDF file
Diabetes UK, the National Disabled Police ... Many police officers with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes ... • To be a link and forum for all individual ...

 

[CarbsRok]

As far as I am aware you cannot be in the fireservice with type 1 due to the nature of the job

Oh yes you can http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2007/Mar/Diabetes-and-the-fire-service.html

 

[malky39]

Oh yes you can http://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2007/Mar/Diabetes-and-the-fire-service.html

I stand corrected

 

[Kerr1992]

Sorry I never had any notifications for this post :-O

I got a reply from the police but they wanted to talk to me via the phone. I've not got back to phoning them yet.

As for the fireservice there are a lot worse things in there than diabetes lol. I'm currently awaiting my medical for the retained service where I am and there is many a fat bloke and there are stories of a guy with a leg missing! lol

They also have folk with asthma. I thought smoke and asthma didnt mix lol

 

[Kerr1992]

Hi Guys,

I know it's been a while since starting this post but I had landed another job so wasn't looking into a career in the police at that point. I'm no longer at university and I've been made redundant so I contacted the recruitment team again at police Scotland to ask what the deal is with T1 diabetics joining the force.

He informed me that there is no restrictions on diabetics doing anything in the force, they will try and accomodate you if you need to eat at specific times or if you need a fridge etc. which I wouldn't need anyway.

I asked about driving and he said as long as the doc says your OK to drive then you can drive.

I go on as pump on Oct 6th so hopefully that will make things easier. not sure they will let me in though if I'm going through a medication change. or maybe I'll have some restrictions until it's settled again.

Cheers
Craig

 

[Ryann1990]

Hi Guys,

I know it's been a while since starting this post but I had landed another job so wasn't looking into a career in the police at that point. I'm no longer at university and I've been made redundant so I contacted the recruitment team again at police Scotland to ask what the deal is with T1 diabetics joining the force.

He informed me that there is no restrictions on diabetics doing anything in the force, they will try and accomodate you if you need to eat at specific times or if you need a fridge etc. which I wouldn't need anyway.

I asked about driving and he said as long as the doc says your OK to drive then you can drive.

I go on as pump on Oct 6th so hopefully that will make things easier. not sure they will let me in though if I'm going through a medication change. or maybe I'll have some restrictions until it's settled again.

Cheers
Craig

Did you ever get into the police ?

 

[Antje77]

Did you ever get into the police ?

When you click on Kerr's name you can see that the last time he visited this forum was over 3 years ago, so he probably won't see your message.