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LETTER OF THE WEEK

OSPRE TAKES STAMINA

I failed the Inspectors' Part II assessment centre for the fifth time in 2006 and then had the challenge of retaking Part I again for the third time, some 10 weeks later in September. Although hard, I again managed the task and gave myself another three attempts at Part II, the first of which was in May this year.

I am pleased to announce that on my sixth attempt I passed. What, you might ask, was the difference, given the fact I had worked extremely hard on all the previous five attempts? The answer is easy: Gary Wynn, the Police Review author of the Part II scenarios.

Mr Wynn's common-sense, no nonsense approach was without doubt the key to my success. He dismissed all the myths about Part II, allowing me to deal exactly with what the examiners were looking for.

No buzz words, no complicated plans, just deal with what is in front of you, as you would in normal life. And guess what: it worked.

I will never be an advocate of the Ospre system, but that is the system we have and you have to master it. Having invested so heavily over the past seven years, both financially, and time-wise, since passing Part I in 2000, I was not prepared to throw in the towel and be beaten.

There is no doubt the endless years of study and practising were hard on my family and I thank my, wife and daughters for their total support.

To all those members of staff contemplating such exams or those like me who struggle with this type of, test, grit your teeth and keep going. With hindsight, was it worth it? of course it was. Who wants to beaten? There are many fine members of police and staff who I know would make excellent supervisors and be assets to this organisation. To them I say, do not be put off by the system. If I can pass this exam, then so can you.

If I can be of any assistance to body regarding this process, please do not hesitate to contact me. Once again many thanks to all the people who contacted me after my letter in Police Review in 2005, to Gary Wynn and the tremendous support I have received from my friends colleagues over the years.
Used by kind permission of
Det Sgt Andy Price, West Mercia