Special constables

Why not volunteer as a special constable and support the work of your police force in the community?

The special constabulary is a force of trained volunteers who work with and support their local police. 'Specials', as special constables are known, come from all walks of life - they are teachers, taxi drivers, accountants and secretaries, or any number of other careers - and they all volunteer a minimum of four hours a week to their local police force, forming a vital link between the regular (full-time) police and the local community.

Once they have completed their training, they have the same powers as regular officers and wear a similar uniform.

What's in it for you?

Joining the specials opens up a world of opportunity for personal and professional advancement. Undergoing the training and then going out on patrol makes a welcome break from day-to-day life, bringing excitement and challenge with every day you volunteer.

People join the specials for many different reasons. You may want:

• to give something back to the community
• to learn new skills and gain valuable experience
• to challenge yourself
• to learn first-hand about the police force before committing to a full-time job there
• to have a second chance if you've unsuccessfully applied for a job as a regular officer.

Being a special will change you

Becoming a special will help you see life differently. You'll discover a lot you did not know about yourself and you'll learn just how much you are really capable of. You will:

• develop self-respect and self-confidence
• improve your communication skills
• learn more about your community.

You will be working as one of a team and the experiences you share in working closely together can lead to lasting friendships. You will learn more about life and human nature than most people will ever see.

What's it like to do the job?

Learn more about what it's really like to be a special constable.

What you do as a special depends on the needs of the force that hires you. You can take on many roles, though, and there's certainly plenty to keep you busy.

Your main role

Generally speaking, a special's main role is to conduct local, intelligence-based patrols and to take part in crime prevention initiatives, often targeted at specific problem areas.

In many forces, specials are also involved in policing major incidents, and in providing operational support to regular officers.

Depending upon their individual force, specials can:

• conduct foot patrols
• assist at the scene of accidents, fights or fires
• enforce road safety initiatives
• conduct house-to-house enquiries
• provide security at major event
• present evidence in court
• tackle anti-social behaviour
• tackle alcohol related incidents
• spend time at local schools educating youths about crime reduction and community safety.

Responsibility grows with experience

Once you have the right training and practical experience as a special you can take on more responsibility. And training is available on an on-going basis. Some forces have ranks so volunteers can be promoted as their experience grows. This ensures you're constantly challenged and learning new skills.

What skills our volunteer police officers can evidence throughout their lives…

• Conflict management
• Prioritisation of demand
• Leadership
• Taking personal responsibility
• Crisis management
• Effective communication
• Problem solving
• An understanding of the law
• Decision making
• The delivery of objectives.

Becoming a Special will help you to discover a lot about yourself. You will learn just how much you are really capable of.

How will the role benefit me?

• Understand more about real life in your area
• Increase your circle of friends
• Feel valued and wanted
• Have much more variety in your life
• Become part of something bigger
• Face new challenges and opportunities
• Learn to physically defend yourself and deal with conflict
• No two days will ever be the same
• Gain a real sense of achievement
• Gain confidence.

What rewards will you get when you volunteer as a special constable?

Traditionally the specials are volunteers, and do not receive pay for their work. However, a small number of forces are experimenting with a system in which specials are provided with a local allowance in return for specific commitments. Contact your chosen force to find out if it is taking part.

While you will not be paid, your uniform will be provided free of charge, and you will be reimbursed for any expenses you incur in your work. This will also include being re-imbursed should you be required to attend court where a loss of earnings is incurred from your regular emplyment.

Here are the basic requirements for joining the special constabulary.

We're looking for much the same personal qualities in specials that we look for in the regular force - integrity, honesty, tact and communication skills.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, and ethnic groups. Our applicants are not limited to any particular age group – life experience is an important attribute for specials

Basic guidelines for applicants

Basic eligibility requirements are the same for the specials as for joining the regular police force; you must be over the age of 18 and there is no upper age limit, although you will need to be reasonably fit and in good health.

In addition:

• there are no minimum or maximum height requirements
• there is no formal educational requirement, but you will have to pass written tests
• only applications from member states of the European Economic Area, or other nationals who have leave to enter or remain in the UK for an indefinite period, will be accepted
• convictions or cautions will probably make you ineligible, but this will depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence
• you must be judged physically and mentally able to undertake your duties

Read more about the detailed eligibility criteria (new window).

Do you qualify?

Some occupations are considered incompatible with becoming a special, for example, if you are a member of the armed forces. Contact your chosen force for a comprehensive list of all the affected careers.

Your local police force can provide you with more information about the specific attributes they're looking for, so please get in touch with them before applying.

Prohibited Occupations

There are a number of occupations which are restricted and deemed incompatible with the role of Special Constable

• Serving members of HM Armed Forces*
• Members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
• Royal Naval Auxiliary Service
• The National Hospital Service Reserve
• Members of the fire service, unless written permission is given by their Chief Officer.
• Traffic Wardens and School Crossing Patrols
• Members of employers’ police forces and private constabularies
• Magistrates
• Clerks to justices and clerks to courts
• Probation officers
• Youth workers and social workers involved in the administration of criminal law
• Bailiffs, warrant officers, private detectives and inquiry agents
• Custody escort officers
• Security personnel, guards and doormen*
• Anyone working for a security company*
• Employees of security organisations*
• Neighbourhood and Street Wardens and other uniformed Patrol Wardens
• Police Community Support Officers
• Prison custody officers (Prison Officers are eligible, but only with written permission from their Prison Governor)
• A local authority parking warden
• Persons taking an active part in politics
• Highways Agency Traffic Officers (and traffic officers who are employed by other organisations, such as Vehicle and Operators Services Agency)
• Border and Immigration officers with powers of arrest
• Customs Officers
• Barristers, Solicitors and Judges
• Members of Police Authorities
• Transport Network Revenue Protection Inspectors
• Local Authority field officers e.g.: trading standards officers
• Civilian enforcement officers
• Vehicle removal officers

(* there are some exemptions that apply to these roles so you need to contact your local police forces recruitment department who will be able to advise you further.)

Once you have applied to become a special constable, here's what to expect.

Most forces will require you to take the National Recruit Assessment Process for the Special Constabulary, which assess candidates against the role related competencies needed to be a special constable.

While most forces now run this process, some may have their own recruitment processes in place.

Candidates applying to forces that have adopted the Specials National Recruit Assessment Process may be required to fill in a Competency Based Questionnaire (CBQ), which will be part of the application form.

All candidates will take a Situational Judgement Test where candidates are asked to use their judgement to rate the effectiveness of response options to a number of scenarios, as well as a written test and a competency-based structured interview. Some forces may additionally conduct second interviews.

Most forces apply the same fitness standards as regular police officers, so candidates can expect to take the same full-scale fitness test that regular officers take to establish their fitness for the role.  Forces may also request a medical examination that is performed either by the force occupational health unit, or by your family doctor.  Eyesight is particularly important and you may need to have your eyes checked by an optician as part of your assessment.

If successful at this stage, you will be asked to attend formal training, which is usually in the evening and at weekends. It is designed to ensure that you are thoroughly grounded in the basic aspects of police work before you can begin to carry out police duties. You will be trained in self defence, powers of arrest, common crimes and preparing evidence for court, among other things.

Once you're trained

Once your training is complete, you will arrange a schedule with the force that fits in with your other commitments.

For further information about the recruitment and training process for the Special Constabulary, please contact your chosen force.