8 benefits of becoming a Special Constable

In the UK, police forces work closely with their Special Constabulary, who are trained volunteers that work alongside regular officers to support their local force.

Special constables place a key role in tackling crime and making the UK a safer place to live and work. Often known as Specials, they come from a range of backgrounds and all walks of life.

Special constables have to complete a training programme, which when completed will enable them to have the same powers as regular police officers and to wear a similar uniform. They volunteer for a minimum of four hours per week and form a critical link between communities and police officers.

Becoming a Special constable is a unique challenge like no other. It’s hard, demanding work, but from your first day on duty, you’ll see the impact you’re having. Each time you put on your uniform; you will be able to learn something new. Other benefits include:

• Ensuring public safety by assisting at the scene of accidents, fires, or incidents – helping to ensure people are safe and providing security and crowd control at major public events.
• Preventing and tackling crime by carrying out high-visibility foot patrols to deter and detect criminals, by educating businesses and older people about crime and how to reduce the risk of opportunistic crime. You will tackle anti-social behaviour on the streets such as gangs or intimidating behaviour, manage alcohol-related incidents such as public violence, and enforce road safety initiatives.
• Secure convictions by presenting evidence in court to support the justice system in prosecuting offenders.
• Investigating crime by conducting house-to-house enquiries to gather information to support larger enquiries.
• Discover how much you are capable of by developing self-respect, self-confidence, and the ability to remain calm under pressure, whilst applying these traits in testing circumstances.
• Create lasting friendships with colleagues, together you will face new circumstances and challenges that can be extremely tough. Being able to support each other through these times will help build close relationships.
• Being a Special Constable provides the chance to learn more about your community by seeing it from an entirely new perspective. You will have the chance to ‘give back’ to your local area, making it a safer place to live.
• Enhance the relationship between the public and the police, this is not always positive and Special constables play a key role in improving the trust of the public.

Who is eligible to be a Special constable?

The basic requirements to become a special are to be: 

• either a national of a country within the European Economic Area or, if not, have leave to remain in the UK free of restrictions
• at least 18 years old when making your application
• in good health, and of good character
• able to speak and write English competently

There may be some restrictions to becoming a special, and you will need to check with the specific force you’re interested in joining. This could include:

• certain occupations (eg, neighbourhood and street wardens, other types of uniformed patrol wardens, or those involved in the administration of the law) 
• If you, your spouse or a relative holds or has a financial interest in any local licence or permit relating to liquor licensing, refreshment houses or betting and gaming or regulating places of entertainment
  
  

How do you apply to become a Special constable?

To apply, you should visit the recruitment section on the website of the force you are interested in joining.

How can Practice to Progress support my journey to becoming a Special constable?

If you want to join the police, we can help increase your chances by up to 78% with ‘mock exam’ style practice sessions online.

We provide a Police Application e-learning course available to download for £8.99.

This will take you through the application form step by step to ensure that you make the best use of your knowledge, skills and experiences and to present them in a way that sets you apart from the crowd.

Submitting an excellent application form is the first stage towards achieving your goal of becoming a Police Officer.

You will be provided with:

• General guidance on how to succeed with your police application
• Guidance on the approach taken by the police
• A walkthrough of the Competency and Values Framework (CVF) and tips on applying it
• An awareness of the police application form content
• Guidance on how to build your police application responses
• Top tips in submitting a strong police application

To enrol or to learn more via our website https://practicetoprogress.com/recruitment/police-application-prep/