Police bar over gap year

Exclusive Nicola Dowling

August 23, 2008

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Samantha Sheldon

A STUDENT who always dreamed of joining the police has been refused a job - because she spent 18 months working abroad.

Samantha Sheldon, 23, wanted to fight crime from being a youngster and at 16 even did work experience with Greater Manchester Police.

But, after travelling to Australia during a gap year, Samantha has been forced to put her plans for a dream career in the force on hold because of 'political correctness gone mad'.

Samantha returned home to Astley, near Leigh, in May and applied to GMP for a civilian job as a project assistant.

But she was told that because of Home Office and GMP vetting policy, she could not be considered because of 'non-discrimination and fairness' rules. The letter said that she must have spent the last three years in Britain to be considered.

It said: "In all cases, non-British applicants must have resided within the UK for a three-year period immediately prior to their vetting application for a non-police personal vetting clearance.

"To ensure that vetting is carried out in a fair and non-discriminatory way, the residency requirement also applies to UK residents who have been absent for an extended period during the preceding three years."

Samantha, who graduated with a degree in sociology, said: "I have always wanted to be a policewoman but when I came back in May I found that GMP were not recruiting.

Letter

"I decided to try for a police staff job instead. I applied for the position of project assistant and the letter arrived. I was excited as I thought it was calling me for an interview. Now I don't know what to do for the next three years.

"I did do a bit of research to check it on the internet and I found some information on the Home Office website which said some groups were exempt from the rule. It gave the example of backpackers who have been away for between six and 12 months. I can only assume that if I had come back earlier, I would have been OK."

Samantha said she believed everyone should be treated fairly but didn't understand why she should be 'penalised' for wanting to explore another country after university.

She added: "I know there have to be rules, but this is political correctness gone mad."

A GMP spokesman said: "National vetting policy states anyone applying for a job with the police service must have been a resident here for at least three consecutive years.

"This requirement is in order to meet the stringent vetting procedures which all GMP staff must be subject to.

"We recognise this can be a significant bar to people and are currently reviewing the process and taking advice to see if it can be relaxed in any way without compromising the organisation. We are willing to speak to potential employees who fall into this category if they believe they can provide other evidence to meet the vetting requirements."

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midway, West Germany (23/08/2008 at 09:13)

There's McDonalds.She could try there.

whistlingdixy (23/08/2008 at 09:15)

How exactly was this dream of fighting crime to be achieved as a project assistant?! Thats their selection criteria, it doesnt matter If you agree with it - I have my own selection criteria when recruiting, thats my choice.

Hardly think that going to the press about such a non story is condusive to a future career with GMP.

No one likes a moaner.

Cone of Silence (23/08/2008 at 10:17)

Basic maths will tell you that 18 months is not a gap year.

The Voice of Reason, Manchester (23/08/2008 at 10:53)

Samantha does not appear to have benefited 'maturity wise' from her experiences travelling the globe.
Acquiring some basic common sense would have been better, procedures were put in place so as to allow the Police to 'vet' persons wishing to join the force. GMP didn't make those rules, but it most certainly has to apply them.
Seeking to self publicize yourself over a matter for which the force has no control is not the way endear you to possible employers.
Nobody likes the rules, but sometimes you just have to get on with it and not throw your teddy out of the cot!
Time to wake up, grow up, join the real world and start smelling the coffee, me thinks.....

rebecca watson (23/08/2008 at 12:39)

I had exactly the same problem with GMP, because i spent two 8 month stints working in Europe.
What they dont seem to realise is how much people get out of working abroad which benefits both that person and the employer, confidence, people skills, life skills etc etc.
What is all boils down to is the Home Office cannot be arsed to check your background whilst abroad properly! It is very easily done!!!!

The Voice of Reason, Manchester (23/08/2008 at 15:37)

Rebecca, I think that you are way off the mark in so far as 'Home Office' can be a**ed to check. Just how are the H.O. supposed to properly check who you have been associating with and what you have really been doing. Its very nearly an impossible task and not cost effective. I have worked and continue to live outside the UK, its my choice, I don't feel as if I have any more to offer than a person who chooses to remain in the UK and wouldn't claim any type of special vetting dispensation just because I choose to do so.
Just what additional life skills do you get by following the well trodden tourist 'gap year' routes, okay, so you witness different cultures, but its a very plastic environment, more often than not, isn't even authentic and you aren't exactly a ground breaker!
Go abroad to learn another language, bring that back and offer that to GMP and I'm sure they would be more interested.
Speak to any HR consultant, who will tell you that Gap years are old hat and don't enhance a CV one iota, good fun at the time but anyone can do it and does!

Elancs (23/08/2008 at 17:53)

I am astounded at some of the comments voiced below about Samantha. No wonder today’s youth feels disengaged, unsupported, alienated when we have adults (if they are) voicing such negative comments as those documented. It appears that this girl has since her early ages had a passionate and desire to join the police force. She has not just waited until the recruitment age but has under taken intense study at University to achieve her degree. Then following guidance to personally develop she has taken the opportunity for a gap year (sorry 18 months) to visit Australia where during this time she apparently undertook various voluntary work. She has the right to voice her opinion (not moan) and make other similar young people aware of this vetting policy in case they also want to go the same route. Surprising that (moaning) does work as GMP is allegedly reviewing their process. This is a Police Force who has recently missed three-quarters of their performance indicators. I wonder if achieving their required number of female recruit entrants into the Force was one of them. I hope she eventuality achieves her aim. Good Luck..

Pippa, Manchester (23/08/2008 at 18:35)

It seems to me that this young lady should realise that if she eventually does become a police officer, she will have to enforce laws such as this. In that case, wouldn't it be policy to keep a dignified silence ?

Hamish Macbeth, Whitefield (23/08/2008 at 21:18)

This is a Home Office rule which GMP has to adhere to on pain of legal action for discrimination etc...
It is a shame the Home Office can not be so stringent when it comes to asylum cases, immigration deportations etc

Oz Blue (24/08/2008 at 03:05)

The voice of reason... bet you a hoot at a party!!!!!!

Doobydoo, Worsley (24/08/2008 at 07:25)

In response to Rebecca Watson:
Why should checks be made abroad? The rules state that if you have not lived in the UK for the last 3 years then you are excluded. Simple. I don't think this girl would make a good officer anyway if she can't understand that there is a rule which must be followed. It doesn't matter whether she agrees with it or not, the rule is there.
AND it is not that easy to make enquiries abroad whether in Europe or the rest of the world which is why I have NO faith in the Criminal Records Bureau and the proceedures that they use in order to give clearance for people working with children and vulnerable adults.
Note to Samantha Sheldon, get off your high horse and get a job. 3 years is not that long at her age.

Andy, Wythenshawe (24/08/2008 at 08:56)

She's got no chance now , GMP do not want individuals crying to the media everytime they feel hard done by , and I also don't want that type of person policing my community.

who cares, somewhere interesting (24/08/2008 at 16:35)

If she was that set on the Police no doubt she had all the information. Didnt she read it?

Wouldnt make much of a detective would she?!!!

The Voice of Reason, Manchester (24/08/2008 at 20:30)

Oz Blue, just reviewed my previous comments, sorry for being honest and a party pooper, but I can still smell the coffee even though I have done the gap year thing, enough said........

sore thumb (25/08/2008 at 13:57)

She'll look pretty good in uniform though!

Andy, ex-Stockport (25/08/2008 at 15:54)

Well what do you expect if you go and live in what used to be Britain's biggest open-air prison for a year? :) Seriously though, the guy that said people would be better going to non-English speaking countries is right. Oz not only speaks the same language, it has a very Brit-influenced culture. Too often Brits talk about going round the world and it turns out they only spent time in former commonwealth countries. Island mentality.

d1v1s1onby0, Wigan (25/08/2008 at 17:16)

I dont see the fuss. I have had the same reply in the last couple of months as I have lived in Australia for 12 years (Been back in the UK for 2).
I had applied to join the Specials though and at the time thought it unfair as in OZ I had had worked for and been vetted by the Victorian Police Force, leaving a very easy to check paper trial.

I had also worked in the Casino Industry over there which required me (And my immeadiate family)to be checked out by Interpol - The FBI and ASIO (Australias MI5)- It is odd that a casino will be willing to vet all employees more effectivley than the UK Police

However I know it is just a case of waiting another 12 months for me to apply, which I intend to do.

Andy2, Manchester (25/08/2008 at 20:09)

I'll bet if she was of er 'ethnic origin' she would have been recruited, trained and promoted to deputy chief in 5 years flat!

the beer baron (26/08/2008 at 09:04)

Thought the old bill would employ anybody nowadays, you see more intelligent people working in McDonalds.

Mr Manchester (26/08/2008 at 13:01)

I agree with these stringent rules where Australia is concerned. After all, it's just a larger forerunner of Abu Ghraib.

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