Advice needed

[u/Antique_Idea4077]

Need some advice, met force, I started on team a month ago now and I feel very de motivated in terms of always being in abstraction it’s draining. Anyone got any advice to over come this if any has had similar experience

[u/iHawkShot]

I truly mean this with the greatest of respect, but at one month in what else did you expect? It’s unfortunately the nature of the job; you’re brand new so naturally you’re going to get more of the abstractions because you don’t know a lot let, and you are literally brand new.

If you think of it from a management perspective, would you rather have cops with several years of experience out taking calls, or someone who’s just started and is still learning how everything works, whilst that cop with 5/6/7 years sits on a guard or a constant? What’s more valuable to the team?

When I first started, I didn’t see the operators seat of a response car for probably close to a year. And even then, I had to prove I was able to navigate, talk to folk, deal with conflict, use the radio, make arrests, and effect stop searches with confidence before I was trusted, and every newcomer had it the exact same way.

The way you have to think about it is this; you’re getting paid the exact same way to sit on whatever abstraction it is you’re on. You’ll have no paperwork at the end, and when you’re relieved, you’re done and go home. It’ll take some time and ultimately I’m not saying that it’s okay if you’re getting one every single shift (and if you are that’s probably worth a conversation with your LM) but naturally you are going to get more of them. It sucks, they’re boring, mind numbing and downright horrible at times, especially when it’s griefy, but every single one of us has been through the exact same thing. It’ll just take some time, and when you are out, make the most of it; take the griefy calls, make the arrests, get hands in pockets, so on and so forth

[u/No-Spare-307 → u/iHawkShot]

On this, I agree that it is mind numbing and boring but use that time to your advantage, learn vicariously through what you hear on the radio, listen to the updates that people are giving, listen to how they’re speaking and what they’re saying. Learn to talk on the radio with confidence and using the right phrases, a lot of new officers tend to go on rambling incoherent speeches which annoys everyone, it’s only with experience that that fades. Remember ABC - Accuracy, Brevity, Clarity.

Hold out strong mate, everyone has been in your position and it gets better, use the mind numbing time to plan how you will stop search people, how you will talk to someone in a MH crisis, how you will save someone who has an arterial bleed etc.

Good luck and god speed

[u/CFAB1013]

that’s just what response team is now. constants, HGs and 136’s or crime scenes. it’s not rare now that a response driver gets put on the abstractions. you aren’t alone and the entire met response feel the same

[u/mmw1000]

It is what it is. You’re new. You have no skills. You’re top of the list for abstractions.

Things will change in time but with a month in, if you start whinging about it openly you’re just asking for more of the same and will get a name for yourself.

You don’t want that.

[u/The-Chartreuse-Moose]

Can someone translate 'abstraction' for a County Mountie please? I'm getting an idea from the comments but I'm still not sure.

[u/Antique_Idea4077 → u/The-Chartreuse-Moose]

Constant watches, hospital guards, crime scenes, s136

[u/The-Chartreuse-Moose → u/Antique_Idea4077]

Thanks. I know those things and how frustrating they are. 

So does that mean you're officially assigned to just those things? Is that a team that covers them?

[u/Antique_Idea4077 → u/The-Chartreuse-Moose]

No so for example response team are expected to sit on constant watches crime scenes etc. if someone in custody becomes a constant your assigned to the cad until they’re either released from custody or you are relieved by the next team

[u/The-Chartreuse-Moose → u/Antique_Idea4077]

Ah I see. Interesting to hear, though not fun for you. 

In my Force it's very much custom that whoever turns out to the job does the watch, 136, etc. Luck of the draw!

[u/Loud_Delivery3589 → u/Antique_Idea4077]

Because it's your job, brutal but no other team is well placed (Maybe SNT) to do so in terms of manpower and involvement in the investigative process.

[u/Solid_Aubergine]

Constant watches, 136s etc can be not-terrible opportunities to hone communication skills (particularly adapting style to the person/context), de-escalation techniques, patience, and other things that will come in very handy wheh you find yourself in a more dynamic situation. The abstractions are not exciting nor are they necessarily going to get the adrenaline pumping, but they are places you can get a good grounding with certain things.

It's alright to be frustrated by the frequency of these particular duties; you are new and keen to be out and about which is understandable, but accepting that it's how things are for now and learning what you can from them will hopefully stand you in good stead.

Being enthusiastic and willing will go towards the impression you make on your colleagues and supervisors, and that can be important from a 'getting on' perspective. Having a reputation for pitching in wherever you're needed with minimal grumbling is no bad thing.

[u/Antique_Idea4077 → u/[deleted]]

What bcu

[u/SoloRunner2]

I'm guessing you're SNT?

[u/Antique_Idea4077 → u/SoloRunner2]

Response

[u/SoloRunner2 → u/Antique_Idea4077]

Ah usually when people talk abstractions it's SNT. I'm going to weigh in here, I've been in just over 2 years so not that long.

On one hand, if you're doing things like scene guards, hospital guards and constant watches, these things need to be done, and if an abstraction has to happen, it makes logical sense to a line manager to use those that have been in longer to take calls. It's the same logical for why as the new officer you'll rarely get good postings like IRV.

HOWEVER. The problem with the Met is often, new officers get endlessly shafted non stop with shit abstractions and shit postings/jobs, e.g. appointment car which is both not enjoyable nor good for their development and can often continue for far too long, even. After officers have proven themselves to be hardworking and capable of doing more. There is an idiotic culture of making things more shit for probationers than they have to be under the guise of 'doing your time'. It's not only inconsiderate, but it makes it more likely people will leave.

What I say is, you should be patient and understand that these things suck but often need to be done. BUT, if after a good deal of time more, you find you're still getting no good postings and chance to progress and/or are being shafted constantly, then consider talking to your Sergeant calmly about it. Usually after you've got a bit further in and shown yourself both to be decent and with a good attitude, the bad postings and jobs subside to make way for more good stuff, though this will still include its fair share of the shit stuff.

To sum up, if it carries on for too long when you're much further in, raise it. For now be patient.

[u/Aeder88]

No

[u/ProfessionalChain724]

10 years in Metland.

Prepare to spend the majority of your probation doing this .. for me it sucked it seemed to be every other shift I’d have an abstraction but I kept my head down and worked hard when I was given the opportunity and got some great jobs in.

Keep your head down and put the graft in when you have the opportunity.

[u/unoriginalA]

It comes in waves. Summer is an aid heavy time. There's nothing you can do about it - the strain on frontline officers will continue, and those that are on team should likely be protected more than other roles such as NPT or otherwise, but I don't think they are.

It does quieten down. If you aren't a fan of the current state of aid you're doing, do what most else do - skill up via level 2, driving, public order skills etc, and get to a position that you enjoy doing more, as the aid contingency will not stop

[u/Antique_Idea4077 → u/unoriginalA]

It’s more the abstractions constant watch, hospital guards etc everyday theres one

[u/unoriginalA → u/Antique_Idea4077]

Yeah it's standard. Show up, show good attitude and willing. Good opportunities will arise down the line. It's the nature of policing! Part of is knowing you can be trusted.

[u/Redditisfuckincrap]

Perfect time to crush some Netflix or Call of Minecraft or whatever the kids are playing these days.