Best products from r/policeuk

Okay, lets start from the top here.

Victim statements, if you're on response unless it's a murder / rape / report for the coroner or something similarly serious you're unlikely to mess things up so badly that it goes out the window. Try your best, so long as the basics are covered then there's nothing wrong with coming back later to get a further-to statement should something important have been missed (obviously you would prefer not to waste time on it but it's not going to be a mark against you should it happen).

To help with statements buy an A4 clipboard folder like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clipboard-Conference-Foldover-Portfolio-Organiser/dp/B01MEBQ37R

I personally still use the cheaper cardboard based ones but they taken a battering and I just replace them when they wear out. However, the fancy ones do come across more professional and formal when you take statements with the advantage that whatever you pull out of them make victims step back and go 'wow, this officer is really serious they're getting everything out to do this properly'.

In the folder put the following things

• Blank MG11 forms
  
• A couple of other regularly used forms like S17, dash books etc so you have some handy spares.
  
• Chuck in some spare pens
  
• A few police aware stickers (trust me when you need one you need one and I always forget to replace them)
  
• Any other useful paperwork you can thing of that might help.
  
  The next part is some work on your part, open MS Word and create an aide-memoire for statement writing;
  
  
• 5 part plan steps
  
• 5WH
  
• Write out some descriptive information for people (describe hair, skin colour, height, build)
  
• Do the same for vehicles (big car, little car, colour, where did you see logos, boxy/aerodynamic)
  
• Do the same for guns / knives (lenght of blade, length of the whole knife, what did the material look like on the handle etc)
  
• Add in any other useful information that you feel would help you along.
  
• Don't forget a reminder to include points about how a victim felt and points to prove
  
• Make sure you include separate ones for seize exhibits and exhibiting those exhibits
  
  Print it out with some reasonable sized tick boxes for each item. Lay it out in a way you feel would work best for your style of statement writing and best aid you to writing them.
  
  Laminate this (there's always a laminator hanging around in the office somewhere).
  
  When you go to jobs, get the cheat sheet out and tick stuff off as you go or after you've got to a certain point in the statement. As it's laminated you can easily then wipe it clear after you've finished before the next job but you'll be able to tick off and ensure you have a statement to capture everything.
  
  To help further, you should be able to produce a point to prove on 2 sides of A4 for the key offences you might find yourself taking statements for. Laminate one of these and you can easily sneak it at the back of your clipboard to lift up the paper in front and quickly check points to prove and remind yourself of what you've done so far and what you still have to cover.
  
  Half the time it's the doing things under pressure that makes you forget stuff. There's no doubt that you know it, just that under pressure to do a good job your mind rushes to big issues and forgets the little details.
  
  Edit: Thank you to the kind stranger that provided gold for this comment. Though if I am honest, I'd rather people donate to COPS or one of the various just giving appeals for officers and their families who have had their lives irreversibly changed by recent events.

• Advice?
  
  It's all about the book learning in training. Yes you'll have role plays, but what gets you out of trouble is knowing what your powers are, what offences have been comitted, what the general procedure is for dealing with X. Commit to your role plays when you have them - but don't just learn to the tests, really sit down and read the material.
  
  Don't assume in investigation, be it "at scene" in a roleplay, or theoretically through scenarios. Always ask the question. An example, I've lost count of the amount of times people haven't asked "did you see him do it" when a victim is telling the officer what they "know" the suspect did. When asked the victim suddenly hasn't seen anything, but heard a loud crashing sound and what else could that be?!
  
  
• Acts and Sections?
  
  Honestly you pick it up. Learn the points to prove to start - theft, burglary and robbery should be by heart. The main three use of force should ideally be by heart (Sec.3 Criminal Law Act, Sec.117 PACE, Self Defence [common law]). You don't need to learn everything else word-for-word. Again, reading the material will help you to pick this up. Honestly the most useful book I found to supplement my learning was this. It's a little on the pricy side to be honest but invaluable to read up on offences and small enough to pop in your patrol bag until you don't need it any more. I wouldn't say it's essential though, if I recall correctly the Police Mutual fund hands out some nice Points to Prove books at training schools that every other (non-nerd) probationer seemed to have and get by on.
  
  
• Kit?
  
  I have too much kit as it is, but the essential extras you'll need? Long cuff key, torch, decent pen (you will be doing ALL the writing). Boot polish whilst in training school. Trainers respect appearances and learning to buff boots (if you can't already, along with ironing properly) is an essential skill that will do you well in the future. Oh and when you get out of training school, a patrol bag is useful for your stuff.
  
  Oh last thing, practice drill, like marching etc. So many student officers can't do it and the 3 days (if that) that you get practice before your passing out parade is not enough time to do it properly. If you want to look sharp on your parade square, learn some drill as you go through.
  
  Good Luck!

Mechanix gloves, they are proper decent.

These are quality gloves which are great for police work. They provide a good amount of protection, the palms are made out of a tough synthetic leather material, this will protect your hands from getting cut up from any debris or assorted detritus you may encounter during your duties. The other benefit of this material is you can use a touch screen with it. It is also quite water resistant, unlike woolly gloves. The back of the hand is made out of a fabric material, which is very breathable in summer. On some models there is a velcro strap for them, on others there is just some elastic (personally I have the elastic ones as they are easier to get on and off). There is also a Velcro loop to help you get them on and off. They are very dexitile and easy to manipulate, unlike leather gloves. Meaning you can get your kit out easier, work zips and even do a quick initial search. They also pack away quite easily, unlike bulky leather gloves, meaning you can keep them in your tacvest or a pocket. They are quite warm in winter, but if your hands get cold just slip on a merino wool liner underneath and it will keep you warm. They do a range of models, all of which are good and fairly cheap.

Mechanix Fast Fit gloves - I like these ones. Very cheap at £13. They are the ones you can slip on and off. These are the ones I use for work.

Mechanix Original - Same as the fastfit ones, but with velcro and more expensive. The velcro can be a failure point though.

Mechaniz M-PACT - More expensive, but has extra knuckle and finger guards. Also more tacticool if that's your thing.

Sealkskinz - These are very warm glove liners. Merino wool is a lovely material, which is soft and not itch, it also wicks well and keeps you warm when wet. Wear these underneath in deepest darkest winter, they will keep you warm. Also Sealskinz is a good brand for thermals or woolly hats/gloves.

Thermals, thermals and thermals - merino wool ones from Aldi or TK Maxx. Couldn't do without them.

I also wear long ski socks in winter that come up over my knees (attractive, I know!).

Torch - LED Lenser. Not linking as it's an old one, but they're good torches. I also bought this to put over it for signalling.

Decent kit bag

My own rubber gloves - ones that fit me and I'm not allergic to (latex allergy).

Earpieces. RocketRadio on Amazon are good for these.

Radar key for disabled toilets. Had a shift where this would have been REALLY useful.

Tyre depth gauge - expensive but worth it.

Individual face masks for CPR on a keyring and have one clipped to my bag and vests and anything else I can clip them to.

I've bought multiple long handcuff keys with clips because they are very handy - as OP said.

Stormwriter

Any other kit there is that I should get or think of getting soon?
Yeah - handcuff keys. Issue ones are crap, small, easy to lose. You can buy for a few pounds longer handcuff keys. Also, get a pull reel key chain (https://www.amazon.com/1-5-PULL-REEL-Chain-EXTENDS/dp/B001VGO9TU) you can whack your handcuff keys on it, and then clip it to your belt - you'll never lose them. I bought one during my first week on patrol and I've kept it since. Also get a folder - preferably with a zip. You can put your tickets and paperwork in there - easier to carry around etc.


Any pre-reading material that would be useful to get in the know? Heard of Blackstones but unsure on the exact ones to get.

If you mean the big books don't bother. As someone whose got the books and passed CID, Sgt's and Inspector's exam - they'll be too much and too in depth for you at this stage. Something like this should suffice; https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blackstones-Police-Operational-Handbook-2018/dp/0198806159/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TWP162QJ2QYWCRJEWA7N


Obviously I should start upping my fitness in preparation as well.
Yup. I would recommend ideally you look at some self defence. If your force is like mine, the stuff they teach you is almost useless and largely consists of push the person away, shout get back, Pava them. I would recommend somewhere that'll teach you mixed martial arts, or something like Judo so you can take people to the ground - even kickboxing. I've had the misfortune of knowing plenty of probationers who fought they were tough only to get battered because they found themselves in someone's house, hemmed into the corner of a room and couldn't readily access their kit. You need to know how to inflict a decent amount of damage should the situation ever arise - not trying to scare you but given the nature of Policing it could quite literally be the difference between getting the offender in handcuffs or you ending up in a coffin.


THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU NEED TO KNOW...
Brush up on the Cake fine legislation.
https://cakeoffencesact.uk/police/index.xhtml
I'll refer you to S11(2)(a)(i) and when you finish your training S11(2)(a)(iii)

I'd go for the R20 Javelot. Great torch, lent it to a DS to search a loft once got it back with "If you didn't have your name and number on this you might not have got it back"

I've also got a a little Larry clipped to the front of my tac vest. Definitely worth a look as a back up torch or if you want a hands free light. Saved my life when I ended up directing traffic the other night. Apparently being in a hi-vis tac vest and near the car with the flashing lights on won't stop people neatly running you over. Larry comes with an in-built flashing red light.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B019AFZCEE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_IJ7CCb519X9QY

Well worth the tenner on amazon although if you've got a go outdoors near by then you can get it for like £4 with their discount card + the emergency services discount

As regards boots, I've always worn Doc Martens or Solovair. Just what I find most comfortable.

Don't buy any other kit yet - you don't need it. Once you do, start here.

The book you're likely to need for training school will be Blackstone's Handbook for Policing Students. I suppose you could buy it now and start reading if you wanted to, but otherwise wait until you're told to.

The only 'extra' book I would recommend is this handbook - I've always found it very useful.

Otherwise, I previously wrote a long post of advice for new starters here.

Good luck!

Get one of these :-

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermos-Stainless-King-Food-Flask/dp/B001ET6P9Q?camp=1634&creative=6738&linkCode=ur2&tag=ipad096-21

They're pretty indestructible and you can have hot food where ever you are. I used one for several years and it would keep food hot for about 6-7 hours (fill it with boiling water for 5 minutes before putting your food in). Living off takeaways and supermarket sandwiches is not healthy and gets expensive.

A very powerful, small torch is a must have and a good investment.

Get used to sleeping with earplugs in. I use Moldex Sparkplugs and found they are one of the most comfortable and cheap if you buy 100 pairs at a time.

Make sure your family are aware that you need to sleep until late afternoon on night shifts and that being woken up at 2pm is not good.

And if you really want to look after yourself, take up Karate or Krav Maga or something. Officer safety training (self defence) is a joke and will not protect you in a proper fight.

Nice comfy wicking underwear like professional footballers wear is a good idea, talcum powder to stop any chafing and something like driclor antiperspirant - there's a bunch of really strong ones you can get on prescription or just buy https://www.amazon.co.uk/Driclor-Antiperspirant-Roll-Applicator-20/dp/B008R7BT5S

You can buy a set of different microfibre towels like a gym kit to keep stashed somewhere and use as needed

Paramedic Here, and yeah i know its Australian, but im so glad i bought over my Plat-A-Tac Police Duty Bag.

I worked on a solo car and this is brilliant. Clips to the passenger seatbelt so it doesnt fly around when you brake/accellerate.
Huge enough to fit all you need. Approrpiate number of pockets and pouches without being too over-the-top.

Came with a nice little divider for documents ect.

Has lasted me... ohhh... 6+ years now.

Alternately, heaps of medics used these Mil Tec Backpacks as both personal kitbags and as ALS kits, and highly reccomended. Heaps of space for stuff and not too bulky. Plus the nondescript backpack style means you can carry it around without screaming “copper”

Lenser P7.2 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ledlenser-P7-2-Professional-Torch-Black/dp/B00F9ZH4O6 - Absolutely brilliant torch, had it for 2 years I think now, brilliant bit of kit, highly recommend to any front line officer.

Phone charger - lets face it, you don't wanna be stuck on a "q" shift and your phone dies...

Tourniquet - especially with what the country is turning into now, I think these should be standard issue...

Not essential but I would recommend - bit like a tourniquet; I recommend carrying a small Trauma kit on your Belt Kit too or in your Duty Bag, again especially with what the country is turning into now, this might come in handy.

Most officers already have this but for those that don't - The Police Mutual Point's to Prove book, absolute life saver to front line officers.

Afaik the police investigators books are aimed at those sitting the NIE and looking to become substantive Detectives.

They will go into great detail and the questions in the workbook will be aimed at serious and complex crime.

Blackstone's Handbook for Policing Students 2019 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0198828527/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dj-wDbB2TP6B0

This would be more in line for CKP and PC students.