Want to be a Special Constable?
We will support you…
What is a Special Constable?
Special Constables are volunteers who work closely with regular officers to help police their communities. They have the same powers as a regular police officer and wear the same uniform. They are given proper training for the role and gain a thorough grounding in many aspects of police work before they are expected to carry out any police duties.
What would I be expected to do as a Special Constable?
Duties include:
- Neighbourhood policing
- Foot patrol
- Helping to tackle anti-social behaviour
- Road Safety initiatives
- House to house enquiries
- Helping safeguard public safety and security at local or major events.
How much training is there and when does it take place?
The initial training takes place over 7 weekends in a minimum of 4 month period and covers:
- Learning about the police service and the duties of a Police Officer
- Powers of Arrest
- Common crimes
- Self Defence & First Aid
- Basic Traffic
- Techniques for dealing with awkward situations or people.
- Use of IT systems
Training is then ongoing after you have been attested at a local station, and there’s a further weekend course held after 6 months of frontline service.
How much time would I be expected to give?
Specials volunteer at least four hours per week or 16 hours per month of their spare time; as a member of Police Staff, Hampshire Constabulary will provide you with 8 hours paid leave (including meal breaks) per month to carry out your Specials duties.
What are the benefits of becoming a Special Constable?
New experiences: You can expect to enjoy much of the variety that comes with police work. You might find going out on patrol a welcome change from your usual working day.
New people: You will be working as one 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.
New skills: You’ll learn new and develop existing skills, like problem solving, negotiating, decision making, coping with pressure, communications and interpersonal skills. These skills will help you not simply as a Special but in your daily life, as well as in your current (or future) workplace.
Self-discovery: As a Special you’ll discover a lot you did not know about yourself and just how much you are really capable of. You’ll develop self-respect and self-confidence, and you’ll earn the right to feel pride in having played your part to make your community united and stronger in the fight against crime.
What is the recruiting process?
There are a number of stages in the recruiting process:
Request, complete and return the application form.
- If you meet the initial criteria you will be invited to an assessment centre which involves a written test, a situational judgement test and an interview.
- Successful candidates will be subject to vetting (including Financial), a medical questionnaire, and references.
When might I start?
Having been successful through the recruiting stages we have an intake every 6 weeks. Usually the whole process takes about 4 months.
Further information
More information can we found at http://www.youdrawtheline.co.uk/ or www.hampshire.police.uk (Vacancies and recruitment) or you can call the Recruiting Department on 023 8074 5315.
Employer Supported Policing (ESP)
There are currently twelve ESP Special Constables based at Festival Place, Basingstoke Gunwharf Quay and Commercial Road, Portsmouth.
These officers police the shopping centres targeting retail crime and anti-social behaviour. The special constables' employers provide them with paid time off for training and a set number of duties. Extra duties can be worked in their own time if desired.
Organisations involved with this scheme will create an excellent profile for themselves in the community and gain other tangible benefits, eg a decrease in stock lost to shoplifters. Other benefits include:
- Staff development - the police training programme develops new skills at no direct cost to the employer.
- A better environment - Special constables make a direct, positive impact on the environment. They provide a further visible police presence in the employer’s area and tackle crime and disorder. They reduce crime rates and reduce fear of crime among customers and staff.
- Improved staff morale - better-challenged and more fulfilled staff make better-motivated employees, and knowing that their employers support their volunteering will increase employee loyalty to the organisation.
- A positive profile - helping staff to make a difference to the community is good news. Supporting the Special Constabulary is a concrete action that will demonstrate the employer’s commitment to corporate social responsibility. The work of Special Constables will foster positive links between the organisation and the rest of the community.
.For more information on Employer supported policing please visit our ESP Pages
Hampshire Special Constabulary Strategic Plan 2008 - 2011
The Special Constabulary Strategic Plan outlines some of the key developments within Hampshire Constabulary Special Constabulary.
The plan is reviewed by the Special Constabulary Strategy Group and the Special Constabulary Senior Management Team. The Special Constabulary is managed by the Community Safety Department with a full time paid co-ordinator and a small team based at Netley. View the Special Constabulary Strategic Plan (.pdf, 24KB).
We are now recruiting Special Constables for all areas of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
For details of the application process, and how to request an application form, see the recruitment details page.
