US citizen wanting to become a police officer in the UK. Should I follow what I want to do?

[sylvester37]

First off, there is a little bit of reading to do here but I would appreciate anyone taking some time to give me some input. It would help if you read the entire message. Ultimately I am really looking to get a variety of opinions.
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So, I live in the US have the (seemingly odd [according to some people]) dream of becoming a police officer in England in the future. I have developed a passion and desire to become one as I enjoy the fulfillment and motivation that comes with helping people and protecting others. I know that this is possible as you do not need to be a British Citizen in order to join the police force, you just have to live in the UK for 3 years and have a ILR (Indefinite leave to remain) visa. I am not the average person who enjoys hot sunny weather, which is why I feel like I will enjoy living in a place like the UK as opposed to the US. The culture is different and if I were to become a police officer in either the US or UK, I would pick the UK for a variety of reasons that I won't go into. The economic situations in both countries will most likely be different by the time I graduate from college in 2017 so I am not concerned with current unemployment rates.

I want to take some risks in my life and try something new and different rather than living my entire life in the same town and having the same desk job everyday. Right now I am a Senior in high school (last year), and my possible plan is as follows:
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Finish high school. Get bachelor's degree in a selected major (possibly engineering) in a University.

Find a job in the US, attain some work experience, save as much money as possible, pay off student loans, and qualify for a skilled labor visa. Make visits to England, look for places to rent for living, and places to work (preferably near London).

Apply for a visa with a sponsorship from an employer when I find a job in England.

After 3 years of living in England, apply to become a special constable (volunteer PO) to 1 of the 43 police forces in England (applications taking 3 - 6 months).

If accepted, work as a special constable for however long (on top of my other job). [Special constable must work 16 hours non-paid per month; 40 hours per week on regular job + 4 hours a week minimum on policing job].

As I get experience in the field over the next few years, I will have priority when job slots open.

After this, I will have the option of remaining at my previous job and staying a special constable for the forseeable future, or quitting from my day job and becoming a full time PC with the possabilities for raises and promotions after.

If I don't find any luck with Law Enforcement or if I change my mind at any time about my career, I can stay in England and live my life there, or I can move back to the US.
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So I guess my reason for asking this is to see if this idea is possible or if there are any flaws in my layout? I also worry that my parents will not accept or support my decisions after college. But assuming I find a job there, I really don't see any true harm in going after a dream.

[laureano97]

You have the correct general idea i.e. get good qualifications in a field that would allow you to seek sponsorship and rack up some years of experience. It would be almost impossible to get sponsored without experience in your field. Only about 90 occupations currently qualify for a work visa. engineering is a good choice as is anything in the mediical or scientific field.

However, you would need ILR which takes five years. As of next Monday even those married to British citizens must wait five years for ILR. To rack up five years you would have to renew your visa with your employer's support and you would also need his support for your ILR application. To qualify for ILR you must be earning at least £35,000 or the minimum salary for your occupation as laid down by UKBA, whichever figure is higher.

Only then would you be free to seek non-sponsored employment such as joining the police force, even volunteering as a special constable would require you to be free of immigration time control.

[tai38]

ICT visas are still subject to the same restrictions as any other work visa. The resident market test still applies and you can only get a visa if your occupation is one of the 90 or so that qualify. It's not a way to circumvent the rules. Just be aware that the same stringent rules apply.

[thacher]

Not possible. We have the same Immigration rules as your country. We only employ people outside of the EU who are professionals ie: Doctors/Dentists if we cannot find the required candidates from the EU.
No-one will sponsor you here. We have over 2 million unemployed.
UK

[otis]

special constables are not loved by the regular police ..
they believe they steal their overtime

[plys]

You become eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to remain after 3 years if you're MARRIED to a British citizen, it is FIVE years if you're on a WORK visa

You're also assuming that your application for ILR will be processed superquick & while that could happen it's more realistic to allow 6 or 7 years to be granted ILR - 5 years residence plus time to investigate your claim

You CANNOT visit the UK as a tourist to look for work or a place to live, you can come over as a tourist have a look around, read the job vacancies but you can't apply for jobs while you're in the UK as a tourist & you can't do interviews - you MUST secure a job before you set foot in the UK, if an employer attempted to interview you in the UK & you're there as a tourist they're laying themselves open to fines of thousands of pounds


The other way around the visa is if you can claim citizenship of the UK or another EU member state through a parent (or grandparent in a small number of countries)