16 Bore Posted July 25, 2006 Report Share Posted July 25, 2006 Hello All, I'm just about to apply for my SGC with Gloucestershire police. Anyone out there like to comment on their experiences with this force? I'd like to be aware of what I might face with them before I start !!!! thanks in advance, Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrie0 Posted July 26, 2006 Report Share Posted July 26, 2006 3 months from handing in the application to getting the certificate , and I had to ring up and enquire what was going on . Once I had done this they sent out a officer within the week who was a nice bloke and then I had the certificate 2 weeks later . When I moved house I also had to ring them up to enquire when the FAO was coming round to inspect the cabinet again , and this again shifted them a bit quicker . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16 Bore Posted August 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2006 Thanks Barrie0, All the paperwork is done and the cabinet is in, countersignatory coming round on Wednesday night to fill in his bit of the form so should be in the post 1st thing on Thursday morning. Then the waiting starts !!!!! anyone got any other experiences now there are a few more people back on here? Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirty Harry Posted August 13, 2006 Report Share Posted August 13, 2006 It took bloody ages to get mine through and I'm in the Gloucestershire Constabulary. It's the civillians in the offices that drag their heels. After a few weeks ring them up and enquire how it's going. Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16 Bore Posted August 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Thanks DH, It will be an interesting comparison as my Dad is putting his in on the same day with Avon & Somerset (with the same Contersignatory as well !!) His better not turn up before mine........ How long ago did you get yours? Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilv Posted August 14, 2006 Report Share Posted August 14, 2006 Northumbria deat with my application in nine days from my posting off the application to my receiving my new FAC. I did have one before in the eighties and I was renwewing my shotgun cert at this time, but I'd say they deserve a pat on the back for their service. They always were excellent to deal with, but they dealt with this really fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16 Bore Posted August 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Well, it's not looking good, my dad has just rung me to say that he has his visit next Tuesday. The FEO asked if he had bought and installed his cabinet (Which he has) The FEO's reply was "thats good then, we can get the visit out the way and I can get the ticket in the post by the end of next week before I go on holiday" I think I'll get him to pick me some Lotto numbers.................................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16 Bore Posted September 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Time for an update, I got home from work to find out the FEO had just rung and would ring me back in ten minutes. He called me 40 mins later and asked if he could come straight up. He was here for 15 mins, had a quick look at the cabinet, asked why I was applying and if I had somewhere to shoot and that was about it really. Said that there was no reason for him to refuse it and that I should have my ticket in about four weeks and to contact him if I hadn't heard anything. So if anyone is expecting a visit and they find out it's a PC Lees you should be fine. He seemed a fair and honest bloke to me, no complaints so far...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 I'm being very hopeful too at the moment. I sent my application into bearlands the other day, so I'm waiting to hear what they have to say. I wasn't a perfect teenager, so wish me luck! Hopefully they will take me as I am now, totally responsible (although I always have been as far as guns are concerned, I can't say the same about everything!). I've left it 7 years since my one and only conviction, so seeing as I've not even had a parking ticket since then, I'm thinking positive! I'll let you know how I get on as soon as I'm told. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodmedod.one Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 It took bloody ages to get mine through and I'm in the Gloucestershire Constabulary. It's the civillians in the offices that drag their heels. After a few weeks ring them up and enquire how it's going. Harry So are you implying that the service would be quicker if the firearms dept was still run by real plods, not toy ones? I am sure the feelings are reciprocated. Perhaps you ought to blame the overpaid pips-on-shoulder desk-jockeys who put civvies in the positions in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16 Bore Posted September 12, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 Neil, If what you did was 7 years ago and not too serious I wouldn't worry too much but show remorse when they bring it up on your interview, I'll hazard a guess it was driving related? I have found Gloucestershire to be fairly good (for my area anyway, I understand that other FEO areas within the county are not so good. What area are you in?) But Avon and Somerset have won the competition as my Dad's ticket arrived this morning At least I get to go gun shopping this weekend and if I see anything I like I'll put it onto his ticket until mine turns up !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 It wasn't a driving offence, I'm all clean in that respect. It could have been serious, but I was given 120 hours community service as I didn't actually intend for it to happen as it did. I made a home made smoke device (like the army use for cover) but it exploded! I knew I'd been a stupid t**t as soon as I'd done it, but as you know, you can't undo it once it's done, it was a week after my 18th birthday. It all comes down to how they read it from the file. In my eyes, assualt should be more serious as there is intent to cause somebody harm, and the punishment for the charge was extremely small so shoud show there was no intent there. I've never wanted to hurt anybody, and luckily I never have. If I'd have known what was going to happen I wouldn't have even considered doing it. I've included a letter in my application, giving my side of the case and offering to provide as many charecter references as they need if they think it will help them to figure out the real me. I work regularly for a lot of well recognised people who would happily give me these references if needed. I'll have to see how it goes. They may see that I'm no threat to anybody as I have only ever made one mistake in my life, which I was always sorry for and admitted to it as soon as they picked me up for it. It's just down to the man in charge now! I'm in Gloucester, Stroud road area. What do you think of my chances? I'm not that confident! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 It wasn't a driving offence, I'm all clean in that respect. It could have been serious, but I was given 120 hours community service as I didn't actually intend for it to happen as it did. I made a home made smoke device (like the army use for cover) but it exploded! I knew I'd been a stupid t**t as soon as I'd done it, but as you know, you can't undo it once it's done, it was a week after my 18th birthday. It all comes down to how they read it from the file. In my eyes, assualt should be more serious as there is intent to cause somebody harm, and the punishment for the charge was extremely small so shoud show there was no intent there. I've never wanted to hurt anybody, and luckily I never have. If I'd have known what was going to happen I wouldn't have even considered doing it. I've included a letter in my application, giving my side of the case and offering to provide as many charecter references as they need if they think it will help them to figure out the real me. I work regularly for a lot of well recognised people who would happily give me these references if needed. I'll have to see how it goes. They may see that I'm no threat to anybody as I have only ever made one mistake in my life, which I was always sorry for and admitted to it as soon as they picked me up for it. It's just down to the man in charge now! I'm in Gloucester, Stroud road area. What do you think of my chances? I'm not that confident! Yep you're screwed. Mind you, you haven't filled out your profile. So if you are say 60 years old now, and have 42 years clean with no brushes with the law then you ought to be okay. However, I am guessing this is not the case... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Couldn't find the profile, ill sort it out ASAP. You're right, I'm not 60! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16 Bore Posted September 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Well, it's a bit different !!!!! You could have a bit of a problem because of the explosives issue. All you can do is wait and see, if you 'did your time' so to speak, turned up and got on with the community service then seven years is a long time ago. If you ******** about and your probation officer (or whatever they call themselves) had to chase you up for non-attendance then it could be different. I got convicted of a serious driving offence about eight years ago and ended up with 100 hours, The FEO for my first ticket made a big thing out of it but I still got the ticket, my latest one just said "well, we won't worry about that as it was a long time ago and everyone makes mistakes" I'm sure that a lot of other people on here have less than sparkling white records. Wait and see what they say, if they do say no, just ask how long you should wait before re-applying. Keep us informed of your progress Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 Thanks for the good advice, I need to be as nice to them as I possibly can! I always accepted that I needed to be punished, and done everything they asked to the letter. At the time, even the crown prosecution service was against my charge. They said it was too harsh. I only got it because of "The public interest in the case" and the money they spent on me. I hope it hasn't ruined my chances, but I know as well as anyone what the word "explosive" looks like nowadays. As you say, I'll have to wait and see what gets said. Thanks again. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
16 Bore Posted September 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 The postman has been, and my certificate has arrived !!!!! It came complete with a copy of the free gun safety booklet that was given away with Sporting gun some time ago. No complaints at all with the police. Exactly one calendar month from me posting the application to recieving the certificate can't be bad. Interestingly though, they haven't contacted my countersignatory which I thought was a bit strange. Anyone else had this happen? Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted September 16, 2006 Report Share Posted September 16, 2006 That's great news, well done! Glad it all went well for you. Happy shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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