Eligibility
Applicants applying to become Special Constables have to meet the same basic eligibility requirements as people applying to be regular officers (see attachment below).
Eligibility requirements include:
- Applicants must be over the age of 17.5 years, there is no upper age limit.
- 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. All applicants must have lived in the UK for three years immediately prior to submitting an application.
- Convictions or cautions could make you ineligible (this will depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence).
- Some occupations could prevent you from being a Special Constable (e.g. employees of security organisations and security personnel, guards and doormen).
- Applicants must be judged to be physically and mentally able to undertake their duties.
To find out if you are eligible to become a Special Constable please complete the Self Selection Questionnaire.
Self Selection Questionnaire (.pdf, 64KB)
Hampshire Constabulary Assessment Process for Special Constables
Every police force has its own appointment standards and assessment process for Special Constables.
Application Form
You will be required to complete a Special Constable Application Form for the role. Please note that you no longer need to complete the CBQ questions on pages 6 & 7.
Assessment Process
The national Specials Recruit Assessment Process is a rigorous one involving the observation of candidates' performance across a variety of exercises, assessing their potential to perform the role effectively.
Key features of the assessment process are:
- Assessments are made on what candidates do and how they do it
- Trained assessors evaluate each candidate's performance in exercises which relate to identified core competencies
- Information from all of the exercises is used to produce the final results
Assessment exercises include:
- A written exercise lasting 20 minutes
- A situational judgment test lasting 75 minutes
- A competency-based structured interview with 4 questions lasting 20 minutes in total.
To review the competencies of a Special Constable please click on the following attachment:
Competencies of a Special Constable (.pdf, 14KB)
Job Related Fitness Test
This consists of two elements. In the first element you will be asked to run to and fro along a 15 metre track in time with a series of bleeps. If you arrive at the end line before the bleep sounds you need to wait for the bleep before resuming running and adjust your speed. The timing between bleeps is slow at first but the bleep becomes faster as the test progresses and it becomes more difficult to keep up with the required speed. You will run until you can no longer keep up with the set pace. You will need to reach a minimum of four shuttles at level 5.4 to pass.
The second element will assess your dynamic strength using a machine called the Dyno machine. The test involves performing five seated chest pushes and five seated back pulls on the machine. The average force of the sum of the five pushes and the average force of the sum of the five pulls will be recorded. You need to achieve an average of 34 kgs on the push and 35kgs on the pull to pass.
For more information on training for the physical test please click on the following attachment:
Job related fitness instructions (.doc, 155KB)
Medical and Eyesight Standards
Once successful at the interview stage you will be required to complete a medical questionnaire (signed by your doctor) and take an eyesight form to an optician to complete. You will be charged for these so remember to keep your receipt. On receipt, the medical questionnaire and eyesight forms will be passed to our Occupational Health Department who will assess whether you are medically fit to perform the role of Special Constable.
You must meet our eyesight standards, i.e. at least 6/36 uncorrected vision. You can also join if you have had corrective eye surgery. You will fail the medical if your eyesight is outside the required standard, so if you have any doubts about whether you meet it, then you should contact us for advice before attending the assessment day.
Security Questionnaire
You will be sent various security questionnaires together with guidelines for completion. You should read the guidelines before completing the forms, and also read all the instructions on the forms themselves. You should bring the completed forms with you to the assessment day. Failure to provide all the requested information will delay your clearance, and could delay your start date.
Other
If you have any special needs and require adjustments at the assessment day it is essential that you advise us accordingly so we can make the necessary arrangements for you. Dyslexic applicants must provide proof of dyslexia before they attend the assessment day in the form of a report from an educational or occupational psychologist.
This page contains details of the specific process for those who wish to transfer from the Special Constabulary section of another force.
Recruitment Events
Hampshire Constabulary holds regular Special Constable recruitment events around the county. These events are designed for potential applicants to drop in and ask questions at any time. There will be someone to answer any question that you may have, including, the recruitment process and eligibility, life as a Special Constable or training.
August 12th 2010 - All Services Day at Arundel Court School, Landport from 11.00hrs - 15.00hrs
Special Constabulary Team Contact Details
Tel : 023 8074 5425
Email: recruiting.specials@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Hampshire Constabulary welcomes applicants from prospective employees who are disabled. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants who are disabled and who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy, will be offered access to the selection process.
