Once you’ve done all the planning and preparation to retire from or leave policing, and as you approach your final months or weeks in the role, it may suddenly seem very real and daunting.
In this section, we provide some guidance for that period including the handover, your legacy and options for saying farewell to colleagues.
How to leave policing on good terms
Professional positive exit
For most leavers or retirees, finishing with a real sense of pride and contribution and leaving policing on good terms is immensely important. By now you will hopefully be in a position where you are looking forward to the next chapter of your life, whatever that might be.
Leaving policing on a good note is important for lots of reasons, not least of which is professional pride. It is also worth remembering that the people who you work with can become part of your professional network, provide personal references and could even offer you a job further down the line, if you intend to carry on working in some way.
As you enter your final months or weeks here are some final considerations:
Legacy
It is true that none of us are irreplaceable, however it is satisfying and meaningful to be remembered in a positive way. Use this time to share your experience with colleagues; you will have gained invaluable experience that others will benefit from.
What are the things you know that will help others moving forward? This might be in a formal capacity such as coaching or mentoring, or more informally by investing more time in colleagues within your own team or even your successor. By helping others, we help ourselves.
Control what you can control
Accepting you are moving on has been a big part of your decision to leave. There may be parts of your role that you don’t necessarily agree with as things may be moving in a different direction and that won’t involve you. By all means share your opinion and experience, but accept that it will be others that will continue after you have gone. Don’t let any disagreements, personal or organisational, dominate you as you leave, remember your career in its entirety.
Accountability/jeopardy
Some police staff and officers will finish in a role that requires them to perform on-call duties. Whilst these will vary in terms of responsibility and accountability, they will all be disruptive and can intrude on personal and family time.
At a time that feels right to you, you should discuss these responsibilities with your line manager/supervisor and explore your options. This could benefit the organisation as well as you, as you can be involved in a handover and training of your replacement, whilst you step away from the extra responsibility and establish a more routine work pattern.
Final hints and tips
You should be given a list of items you must return, such as identity/warrant cards, uniform by your HR department. Remember however, that all records and emails will, most likely, remain the property of the police. It is a good idea to form a record of all your training courses and qualifications before you leave. You may need them if you are considering future employment. Make sure to check exactly how you should do this.
Your leaving do
Both you and your colleagues will want to celebrate your contribution to policing with a ‘leaving do’. This is the perfect opportunity to reflect on your achievements, thank colleagues and, in some cases, say goodbye for the last time. Every celebration demonstrates to employees a sense of value and morale is boosted as a result.
There is no model for the perfect leaving do. This is about you so you should remain in control and do what you want to do. It could be a small gathering with your team, something bigger that includes your family, or even a series of different get togethers with friends and colleagues who have been big parts of your career. No matter how long you have been in the service, policing is a big family, and people will want to share this time with you. Celebrate the memories and enjoy!
National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO)
If you are retiring as a police officer, you may be eligible to join NARPO. This is a UK-based, rank-free association of retired police officers dedicated to improving benefits for all members. It has 105 branches with over 93,000 members throughout England and Wales, making it one of the largest public sector pensioner organisations in the country. Its approach is threefold, as it provides advice and support in life, work and leisure after the police.
Membership of NARPO
Full membership is open to former police officers who have served in a police force and who have met the minimum requirements that would entitle them to a police pension. Membership can be granted by a branch committee to any person who is not eligible to join the branch as a full member, which includes widows, widowers, partners and spouses.
Member benefits
NARPO provides advice and assistance on a wide variety of topics including police pensions. There are also free advice services for members on state benefits, IT and taxation. NARPO also works with a range of organisations to provide members with a variety of wellbeing resources.
Your local branch may also have a team of welfare representatives who can provide signposting. The NARPO website has an exclusive members section allowing access to the latest information and offers. NARPO HQ is able to take enquiries by phone and email, Monday-Friday.