The Retirement Thread

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SpokeyDokey

SpokeyDokey

68, & my GP says I will officially be old at 70!
Moderator
Location
Somewhere wet & hilly in NW England.
Drago said:
That was a DS's pay. Problem I had as a DS is that withing a year of qualifying as a detective half my staff were defecting to private industry for half as much pay again, office hours, and no chance of getting their teeth kicked in (Or worse). Compared to what a skilled investigator can earn elsewhere it is pith poor indeed, so ues, in that instance they're definitely poorly paid. And that's why there a national shortage of detectives.

I'm ex military, and while not all are in that boat quite a few bobbies are. While I was getting divorced i took an 8 month career break and spent 6 months bodyguarding in the US. For 6 months work I earned more than 2 years salary as a copper, plus living expenses and accommodation and I got to go tooled up. While over there I looked at joining Pennsylvania State Police, starting salary back then in 2005 was $42,000...uk police starting salary then was £19,000 so yes, compared to what my skills and experience could earn me elsewhere the police was poorly paid. That's cool, I wasn't complaining (and most individuals dont complain either) but the reality is inescapable.

A mate of mine who was still in, a sergeant on the Zulu (firearms) cars. He did his police close protection course cos we get visiting dignitaries etc, within weeks he quit to work all expenses paid in the med as a personal bodyguard to the wife of a software magnate...£200,000 smackers plus living expenses, and free travel all over the world.

Remember as well, I retired early due to a career ending injury acquired when I got beaten up on duty. Three surgeries later, 2 more possible surgeries to go, and daily pain....no way in hell was the salary worth it.

Trust me, no idiot joins the police for the money, and the talents and skills that most coppers with any real degree of experience have would typically earn them at least 50% more in private industry, and often much, much more. Few coppers that retire and remain working full time end up earning less than they did beforehand.

I'm not complaining, I made my choices, but don't tell me I was well paid for getting my bones broken, stabbed, spat at and generally treated like sheet. Hell, I was shot at more times in the police than I was in the army. Anyone who thinks that they get well paid should put their money (ho hum!) where their mouth is and sign up themselves.

Edited for typo - Penn state were paying 42 fees to start.
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I number 1 ex-Para on the fringe of my friends list. Seriously tough bugger he is. Covered in minor scars as he was in an explosion in Iraq whist seconded to the US military (no idea why) and he had to leave the British Army. They paid him his '150' as he termed it ie £150k plus immediate pension and the US military shoved $2 million in his direction.

He now works as a personal bodyguard and charges £3-4k per day + expenses and gets to visit prestige events such as F1 where rich people apparently need protection.

Nice earner.

Not a nice experience in the first place though - he still has dreadful nightmares and has a recent history of short-fuse violence. :sad:
 
classic33

classic33

Leg End Member
Relatives in the Garda. One who's vehicle was under fire and taking hits from small arms fire, when I phoned him.

Was stopped by him in summer 2001, at Dublin ferryport.

He'll not argue on the pay issue, in the police.
 
Drago

Drago

Legendary Member
Location
Suburban Poshshire
SpokeyDokey said:
I number 1 ex-Para on the fringe of my friends list. Seriously tough bugger he is. Covered in minor scars as he was in an explosion in Iraq whist seconded to the US military (no idea why) and he had to leave the British Army. They paid him his '150' as he termed it ie £150k plus immediate pension and the US military shoved $2 million in his direction.

He now works as a personal bodyguard and charges £3-4k per day + expenses and gets to visit prestige events such as F1 where rich people apparently need protection.

Nice earner.

Not a nice experience in the first place though - he still has dreadful nightmares and has a recent history of short-fuse violence. :sad:
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Mate of mine. ex Welsh Guard, BGs for the El Fayeds. Unbelievable money, and the freebies are astonishing. Out shopping recently and they bought him a Rolex! Problem with that family though is I wouldn't put it last some Herbert's having a go, and BGing in the UK you don't get to carry. Hell, I was escorting midwives into the less pleasant neighbourhoods of Pittsburg with a PPQ in a FAGbag, but hes looking after potential terrorist of kidnapping targets in the UK with little more than his fists...although I've seen his fists in action and they're not an inconsiderable weapon.
 
classic33

classic33

Leg End Member
Drago said:
I'm sweating like Fred West when Ground Force turn up at his house.
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Currently 30°C here.
 
Dave7

Dave7

Legendary Member
Location
Cheshire
Let the day commence.
Bad start, I tripped over a pair of bloomers that Welshie left around.....but my lightning fast reactions saved me.
Anyway, just enjoyed a coffee. Need a shower but I will be sweaty again 5 minutes later.
Golf this morning, it will be a long 4 hours in this heat :blush:.
When I get back, late lunch will be mixed salad with all the bits eg seeds, chopped nuts and a dressing. Added to that will be chopped chicken pieces and maybe boiled egg. Ohh, and a bottle of plonk ^_^.
Have a nice day everyone.
 
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