The Royal Air Force is the British Army’s independent aerial fleet that defends the country through their strategic bombing abilities and air policing responsibilities. The Royal Air Force is considered one of the most advanced and powerful air forces in the world with over 900 aircrafts and 42,000 regular personnel. Surely, an Armed Forces as huge and as important as the RAF need the best well-trained staff. Aside from their advanced skilled pilots and shooters, the RAF is still in need of professionals for assistance, and the Police are definitely on one of the categories.
Other than the aircrew, engineers and officers and aircraft gunners, the RAF police officer is involved in the long list of careers in the Royal Air Force. Basically, the RAF police officer’s role is to Manage RAF Police, advise on threats to personnel, information and assets and take measures to enforce the law and manage security investigations. Their responsibility is mainly similar to that of their original responsibility on being in the Police Force. The Royal Air Force is a community on its own as well where certain types of individuals are interacting with each other in order to produce a positive outcome in the environment. Like all the other communities, there must be a policing force that ensures the protection and orderliness of the system therefore, with the proper knowledge and skills, the Royal Air Force is in need of RAF officers.
Qualifications of being an RAF Police Officer
The qualifications are quite simple and for those who are interested on taking the job, all you have to do is submit the requirements of what a RAF Police Officer entails. First of all, both men and women are eligible to become and RAF police officer. The age range is eighteen up to thirty two years old for an applicant to be allowed in joining the Royal Air Force. Next, you must be UK citizen or holder of dual UK/other nationality. Other requirements are 2 GCSEs/SCEs at grade C/3 minimum or equivalent in English language and G/6 in maths. Lastly, a current full driving licence.
On trainings and tests, you must complete your recruit training at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. Only after then will you start a 23-week specialist training course at the Defence Police College at Southwick Park in Hampshire. Everything you must know in being an effective and dedicated RAF police officer is taught on this particular training. Your academics, emotional quality and adventurous trainings are graded based on how well you have performed in this phase. When you pass, you will eventually become a licensed RAF Police Officer where you will be living in the basecamp for several months in a year with all the other men in the Royal Air Force.
Working in the RAF
There’s a lot in store for you in the Royal Air Force. It’s a fact that the job requires tougher challenges than most regular occupations. However, the experiences, benefits and gained qualifications are quite outstanding and most of all, rewarding. Being in the RAF Police isn’t just about policing per se. You are responsible for the RAF’s protection at all aspects, including their database and computer security, flight safety and offences within the base among officers and crew.
With regards to flight safety, the RAF Police officer must ensure a safe take-off and landing of an aircraft at all times and the welfare of the whole flight as well. Plus, while others are working on their role for RAF protection and safety, other RAF police officers are conducting security education in order to keep the people in the base aware of any threats and ensuring, for example, that no sensitive information is divulged over the telephone.
On topics about protection and safety in the RAF, the RAF Police also conducts surveillances in and out the basecamp. Take note that the British Armed Forces has quite a number of basecamps and territories around the world. All of which, the RAF is part of. Every business happening inside the RAF must be familiar with the police. And if anything seems wrong or peculiar, the officers have the right to investigate.
Benefits of being a RAF Police Officer
First of all, a job as challenging as this must require an appropriate salary and working in the RAF you’re assured that you are well-paid and with benefits. The usual service in the RAF is nine years pay after one year is £18,340. Aside from working and trainings, you get to enjoy the rest of the stay in your basecamp where other officers conduct sports competitions and fun and leisure activities. You get to create strong bonds and friendship with your other colleagues and most of all, you’ll be able to provide a high quality service for your countrymen. Working in the RAF would be truly worthwhile.
