h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

... and reconsidering what?

I noticed your username, and was curious.

Ben

Yeah, last weekend I went out as an observer with the police, and I saw a lot of things which have changed the way I think about some things. I've wanted to join for some time, as you probably remember, now I've seen more of the job than I ever have before and I definitely, definitely want to do it - but I've also been pushing to do a PhD, which is likely to leave me for three more years stuck somewhere I can't get in due to the eyesight requirements (thanks to only one force being willing to accept my kind of vision). I'm not particularly happy about that.

So I'm reconsidering my priorities, the future of my life and all such things like that. I'm also rather flattered anyone was interested.

You don't ask for advice, but my generic advice is to get your education while you are young, and don't have too many financial burdens.

Only one force will let you in? Is your eyesight correctable with surgury? I would *never* advise anyone to take surgury for their eyesight - sight is too important to mess with, but it is a personal decsion.

Good luck with the re-evaluation. I am doing much the same myself at the moment.

Ben

Yes, I generally agree with you, best to get my PhD now rather than try later, but I'm kind of worried that force will up their requirements at some point... although they might not, because they'd probably be wide open under disability discrimination if they raised standards above those which serving officers can meet. I believe there's a get-out clause for the police on that, but as I understand it that's only so they can have any requirements for eyesight at all, rather than to exempt them completely.

Anyway, we'll see. If only I was more inspired to apply for a PhD place at one of the university's in Thames Valley Police's area, then I could join the Specials while I was doing it. Oh well.