Kilted to a police recruiting interview

[Singlemalt]

I am old enough that I have seen a lot change in this world with regard to discrimination and prejudice. By in large I beleive in a rough and tumble way we are moving to a better place. At times the right and wrong of it all get very confusing. At this stage in my life I care little what others think of me but I do care deeply that as I go to sleep at night my conscience does not trouble me and that I have spent my day being fair to others. Keep in mind that Father Bill and I may live in the most diverse country on earth these days.

What I have come to accept is that I will not judge others based on the things they can not change, race, ethnic background, place of birth, sexual orientation or command of English language. However I think I am perfectly within my right to judge others on the choices they have made. Be disrespectful of others, use vulgar language, or dress inappropriately for a particular situation I reserve the right to think less of you.

[Allan Thomson]

There are certain professions where "sticking out" or "daring to differ" may be seen as positive attributes. Being a police officer isn't one of them. In fact, short of being in the military, it is one of the least-favourable professions for being individualistic. Discipline and protocol are important in these professions, and for very good reason.


Dress sense is a personal choice, unlike the other things you mentioned. How we choose to present ourselves is universally seen as a statement to society about who we are, what kind of choices we make, and with which segment of society we identify. For (what should be) obvious reasons, assessing someone on the basis of dress sense is a very good way of sorting the proverbial wheat from the chaff. It is, and has always been, a perfectly valid form of social measurement.

Relgion is apersonal choce,albeit one which is often guidedby upbringing.

Protocos are important in many jobs requiring spl second decisions wit life or death implications.That doesn't mean one has to up to an inteview dressed in offce wear to get those jobs and that not being dressed ina certain way indicate an unsuitability for that job..

[Allan Thomson]

Thank you Allan. Apologies accepted.

There is a difference between individual experience and perspective informing the decision and the ability of a police force or similar organization to present a united, and more important, a consistent front. I would see that choice of clothing to be an indicator of someone who wouldn't participate in our group's consistency.

If I may ask (and you need not answer) what is your leadership/ management background Allan? You have some small indication of mine.

I prefer not to talk about work online. I have been required to show leadership in some job I've done. I have worn a uniform for a lot of the roles I've undertaken in my profession. During my time in my f ield it has bought me into contact with members of the police force on ocasions. My job has inolved spltsecond decisions with major implictions whch often required following policy and procedure. It depend wha you define as management my role involved some mngment of indivduals.

[FossilHunter]

Dress sense is a personal choice, unlike the other things you mentioned. How we choose to present ourselves is universally seen as a statement to society about who we are, what kind of choices we make, and with which segment of society we identify. For (what should be) obvious reasons, assessing someone on the basis of dress sense is a very good way of sorting the proverbial wheat from the chaff. It is, and has always been, a perfectly valid form of social measurement.

I think Tobus nailed it. If someone comes to an interview in their pajamas it shows that they don't care about the job enough to bother with even the minimum effort of getting dressed. If someone comes to an interview in a tuxedo (a la stepbrothers) it indicates that the job and the interview is a joke to them.

As a kilt-wearer, I am biased towards the kilt. Someone wearing a kilt to an interview would not automatically be dismissed but I would definitely ask after it and my judgement would depend on the answer. Of course the problem, even if they answer in a satisfactory way, is that we are discussing their clothes rather than the job and their qualifications. And that is my stance as a kilt-wearer.

Now someone who is not a kilt-wearer may very well see them in the same light as someone wearing a tux to an interview. Showing off or not taking things seriously. You only get one chance to make a first impression and I would avoid anything that distracts from my qualifications for the position.

Especially for a recruitment interview. They surely want people who are intelligent and diverse in ability/experience but they also need to be capable of being trained and molded into police officers. As with any job, your exceptional qualities will be noticed in your performance long after your interview has been forgotten.

I honestly don't see what advantage there would be in risking a job interview by wearing a kilt. What qualities does a kilted police candidate demonstrate over his peers beyond sticking out like a sore thumb? Will he be better at talking to communities? Will he be better at paperwork?

If anything, the desire to peacock might indicate that they'd make a lousy undercover agent.

[Me cousin Jack]

I guess if one is applying for a position as “Kilt Police” it would be acceptable, other wise I wouldn’t risk being thrown into the court of public opinion.

[jthk]

or dress inappropriately for a particular situation I reserve the right to think less of you.

That seems quite harsh: that you would think less of a person because of how they dress. Ultimately, you think and feel how you do ... but I couldn't let that comment go without adding my own.

Jonathan

[Father Bill]

That seems quite harsh: that you would think less of a person because of how they dress. Ultimately, you think and feel how you do ... but I couldn't let that comment go without adding my own.

Jonathan

It seems quite legitimate to me to measure people's ability to use good judgement when you're selecting them for good judgement. Not so much when you're there to care for them, but this is a selection process we're discussing.

[jthk]

It seems quite legitimate to me to measure people's ability to use good judgement when you're selecting them for good judgement. Not so much when you're there to care for them, but this is a selection process we're discussing.

Bill,

I wasn't commenting on the thread as a whole but the comment to which I refer appeared to be a general outlook on life and, as I said, a person will think what they will but I just couldn't let that one slide without expressing my disappointment that a person will judge another simply by how they're dressed.

Jonathan

P.S. I agree with Steve's assessment earlier that this thread has seen its usefulness.

[Singlemalt]

That seems quite harsh: that you would think less of a person because of how they dress. Ultimately, you think and feel how you do ... but I couldn't let that comment go without adding my own.

Jonathan

Jonathan, I agree pulled out of my larger statement that line sounds harsh. I don't think that those who know me in the real world would describe me as harsh or judgmental. I certainly don't think less of a working man because he is in working man's clothes. What I respond negatively to is people who seem to show little regard for others in how they speak or dress or even invite negative emotions in their choices. If you choose to dress in a way that shows you don't care what anyone thinks of you or in a way that invites controversy don't be surprised if the reaction of others is negative. After over 6 decades in this world I don't look for confrontation or opportunities to chastise others but, as you point out, I do have a right to form an opinion of you based on how you choose to present yourself.

I to am done with this discussion.