I AM interested in the work of the police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) but what exactly do they do? Are there different career options within the department? What is training like? Is any previous education necessary? Where could I find out more?
M H, London
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OUR EXPERT SAYS . . .
If you are interested in becoming a part of the Metropolitan Police CID you have to become a police officer first. All CID officers have trained as uniformed officers at Hendon training school and completed their two-year probationary period working the streets in a borough of London. Only after this period is it possible for an officer to apply to the Criminal Investigation Department.
Once officers become members of the CID there is significant further training and development before they become substantive detectives.
The role of the CID is to be responsible for further investigation of all crime. In a borough, you will find the department is split into units that deal with specific crime. For example, there is a community safety unit which deals with hate crime. There is also a burglary and robbery squad, a divisional crime unit and the sapphire unit, that deals with sex crime.
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If you would like to find out more visit www.met.police.uk or alternatively visit your local police station and talk to officers there.
Allan Rice-Smith, detective inspector, Metropolitan Police Crime Academy
I AM a qualified primary school teacher who left teaching a few years ago because of personal reasons. I now feel ready to get back into the classroom but feel my skills may need a bit of polishing. Are there any courses I could take?
M V, Herts
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OUR EXPERT SAYS . . .
You never forget what it is like to teach, but things have changed. If you want to return, the Teacher Training Agency reckons there are 13,000 people like you who need to brush up their skills. The first port of call should be the TTA itself. It has a returning-to-teach programme involving courses and tips, information on funding for childcare and links to national curriculum online and TeacherNet.
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It is essential to bring yourself up to date on the primary strategy. Local education authorities can provide information. Their literacy and numeracy consultants often run conferences and courses locally.
The National Union of Teachers also runs special courses on developing and supporting returners, and on computer skills. They are open to all teachers and can be found at www.teachers.org.uk
Above all, check the jobs market. The Times Educational Supplement is the best place to start. www.canteach.gov.uk
John Bangs, head of education, National Union of Teachers
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I HAVE a degree in civil engineering and am seeking to pursue a career as a transport planner, but since I qualified just recently, I wonder what experience I need. Where would be the best place for me to work in order to gain the necessary experience? What other skills may be important?
T D, Wolverhampton
OUR EXPERT SAYS . . .
Most people come into transport planning with a degree, the most common of which is civil engineering. Most council employers are supportive and there may be training opportunities once in the job leading to professional qualifications, such as membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Chartered Institute of Transport, or the Institution of Highways and Transportation. I would suggest also contacting these organisations for further information about careers as a transport planner.
Some of the following skills may be required: willingness to understand people, places and movement; practical skills to assess plans and proposals, and oversee their implementation; ability to work with others and motivate them; good interpersonal skills.
www.lgcareers.com
Liz Copeland, Careers Promotion Officer, Employers’ Organisation for local government
NEED CAREER ADVICE? ASK THE EXPERTS
Do you have a question about any aspect of working in the public sector? Public Agenda will put your questions to specialists who can offer free guidance through this column. Please write to Career Clinic, Public Agenda, The Times, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1TA, or e-mail agenda@thetimes.co.uk.
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