I think part of the problem.... is that the Observers role is in fact probably one of the MOST challenging of any police specialist role... in that its most UNLIKE any other Police work an officer is likely to face..
Therefore not all Officers are going to possess the skills necessary for the role.
This does indeed go against current Police training culture, which is the biggest pile of ..... limp-wristed, arse about faced, softly softly, human rights, diversity friendly, bul**** loaded crap..... as you would ever wish to meet.
Thankfuly... at the moment.. my own force DOES do aptitude testing prior to interview for the observers role, and the interview doesnt make up the entire score for the post.
(However... should you wish to be an armed Officer... you can be the stupidist, laziest, mentaly unstable, alcoholic in the job... but if you pass an interview.. YOUR IN MATE..)
I agree with jaytee... im simply freight..!! get me to the job and i'll point it out on the ground and do the stuff as far the police work is involved. Put me in with a floating pilot who doesnt know the area, and i'll do the same.. we will still get around the county (safely)
My skills or otherwise at reading air charts, GPS readouts, TCAS indications, approach plates, Ts and Ps etc etc are of no consequence if it all went tits.. the Pilot would be held blameworthy.
That doesnt mean i wouldnt be prepared to learn, and pass examinations on such such matters, should i be required, and given the right motivation..!! I enjoy my job, and if i was given the opportunity to train, and learn new skills to get the job done better, I'd gladly take them.
Just need the powers that be to realise that we do have people doing this job that are willing, and capable of being more than cargo...
And bring back the good old days of.... drop em at the deep end... sink or swim training... 'cos pressure is what its all about.. put "student number 2" over a fast moving pursuit, thats goes next door into a neighbouring county, or an unfamilair Town centre, dodgy comms due to Airwave, a floating Pilot and **** weather... No matter how much training time he's been given.... he's going to be weak at the important stuff