Eutopia wrote:IAM is not much to get excited about. The standards are low and the interpretation of material varies drastically from group to group. Your better off not bothering.
OK. If that is the case... what are you doing about it? Being a Class 1 is not just about the actual driving it is being immersed in the whole ethos.
I too found a considerable difference when I started to help my local IAM Group, once I had my Class 1 (and that was not yesterday). But Traffic Patrol Drivers are very lucky in that they have the benefit of some of the best driver training in the world. Surely there is a moral obligation to pass on some of this and re-invest in the country, which provided you with the opportunity in the first place.
And anyway... I always found that involvement with local IAM Groups was one of the best ways of ensuring that I maintained my standards over the years. I am happy to say that whilst standards do vary from group to group, there are some folk out there that (within the constraints of the NSL) are just at good as any Class 1... because they have been trained by the same people over the same roads and over the same length of time... they just do not happen to wear a police uniform.
I feel I am getting on a soap box again, but suffice it to say that the comments posted by "Eutopia" are not fully endorsed by every other Class 1.
Now to get back on topic. Well done with the IAM test pass and good on you for considering the Observer training. Without enthusiastic folk like you organisations such as the IAM and RoSPA would not be as successful. You will enjoy the Observing, though it can be frustrating, but like my examining role... it does keep you on your toes. Well done.