Becoming a Special Constable
Make a change for the better
Become a special and find out what you’re capable of – for yourself and your community.
- Make the streets safer
- Find out what you’re capable of
- See a different world
What is the Special Constabulary?
The Special Constabulary is a force of trained volunteers who work alongside, and support, their local police.
- Specials are volunteer police officers with the same powers as regular officers.
- Specials spend a minimum of 16 hours per month, or more, supporting the police to tackle crime in their communities
- Specials are recruited locally by all police forces in England and Wales
- Specials work in partnership with regular officers and the wider policing family.
What does a Special Constable do?
Specials take part in front-line police work. They spend most of their time on the streets, doing intelligence-based patrols in crime hotspots or taking part in crime-prevention initiatives.
This could mean anything from keeping town centres safe at night through to conducting house-to- house enquiries or helping prevent vulnerable people from becoming victims of crime. It’s hard, demanding work, but from your first day on duty, you’ll see the impact you’re having.
You will be able to specialise too! After you have completed your training and are proficient in your core role, there are plenty of specialisms you could move into such as a dedicated Traffic Special Constable and many others.
A workforce that reflects our communities
Our ability to build trust, understand problems and support our communities across a range of policing matters, relies on us having a workforce that is reflective of our communities and all the unique individuals that exist within them. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity within our workforce and to eliminating discrimination.
We are very keen to encourage applications from those that have never considered policing as a career. Representation within our workforce from black and minority ethnic communities and females is currently much lower than we want it to be; by improving this we will be better able to serve our local communities and our work place will benefit from all the differences in thinking, points of view, and approaches that diversity brings.
In order to achieve this we are proud to pursue a policy of ‘positive action’.
For further information and to register for this scheme please click the button below.
Our recruitment timeline
In order to progress to the next stage you must pass the BSQ. At the end of this questionnaire you will be advised of the result and provided with a feedback report.
You will be presented with a number of different situations that you may face as a Special Constable with a choice of different actions that might be taken.
You will be asked to identify which action will result in an effective or counterproductive outcome.
You will be provided with a feedback report and if you are successful, will be invited to complete an application form.
We will be holding a Special Constable Virtual Awareness Event W/C Monday, 14th December 2020. Once the date and time is confirmed it will be added here.
This is an opportunity for you to hear about the role from our serving Special Constables and ask them questions. You will also be provided with invaluable information about the recruitment process and training.
Those who have fully completed the online application process will be invited to attend. We hope you will be able to join us.
Having completed and been successful, you will then start as a Special Constable and start your training.
Our next start dates are in April and October 2021.
Entry Requirements
All candidates will be subject to a pre-employment drugs test.
HM Government provide detailed information on medical standards including which illnesses, injuries and disorders will affect your ability to perform the role of the Special Constable
We will ask you to send in two digital pictures of each tattoo. One distance photograph clearly showing where on your body the tattoo is located and a second close up photograph that we can use to assess this against our standards.
We would require a verifiable translation of any any tattoos containing non-English words, characters or representation and an explanation of the tattoos’ meaning or significance.
We also have a policy of prohibiting any of our officers, staff and volunteers from becoming members of the BNP or similar organisations whose aims or pronouncements may contradict the duty to promote race equality.
Financial checks will be carried out to make sure you don't have an outstanding CCJ, IVA or are registered bankrupt. IVAs will be considered on a case by case basis.
If you've discharged your bankruptcy debts you'll need verification from the Court that 3 years has passed since the date of discharge.
Please let us know if you have a disability and the type of adjustment which you might need to enable you to apply for and do the job.
Some areas of employment are incompatible with the office of special constable as they may conflict with the duties and requirements performed by our officers and staff.
Applicants within the following occupations ineligible to join the Special Constabulary:
- Magistrates
- Clerks to the justices
- Clerks to the courts
- Highways agency traffic officers
- Police community support officers
- Civil enforcement officers
- Neighbourhood and street wardens
- Serving armed forces personnel
- Crown Prosecution Service employees
- Immigration officers
- Members of a police force maintained by a commercial organisation or private company
- Licensees of betting and gaming establishments
- People who work in licensed premises, including bar staff and waiting staff
- Lottery promoters
- Bailiffs
- Members of private security organisations
- Private detectives and enquiry agents
- School crossing patrollers
Other occupations will be considered subject to the agreement of their employer and the Chief Constable:
- Fire service personnel
- Armed services reserve personnel
- Members of the medical and health professions
Other occupations where eligibility should be carefully scrutinised by the Chief Constable include:
- Holders (and their partners) of licensed premises
- Probation officers, youth and social workers involved in the administration of criminal law
- Bailiffs, warrant officers, private investigators and inquiry officers
If you have any queries please contact People Services Centre (Resourcing) on 01392 452020 or email specials recruitment.
Don't worry if you fail on your first attempt, you are allowed two more attempts within 12 weeks.
This includes you, your spouse/partner (and their children if over 10 years old), family members (including step relations) and any other adults who live at your address.