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?
Hampshire Constabulary has recently introduced a new training course for Special Constables called the Gateway Programme. This is a module-based pre-join qualification which has to be completed before successful applicants can officially join the force. It is delivered in-house through a mixture of distance learning (workbooks) and some classroom training (workshops) at no cost to Special Constables. You will complete the workbooks in your own time and, when completed, book yourself onto the relevant workshops. These will be available at different times on weekends and during evenings to meet a variety of needs.
The Gateway course will cover:
- Learning about the police service and the duties of a police officer
- Criminal Justice system
- Police powers
- Basic offences
- Public order related offences
- Traffic
- Public protection
When you join the Special Constabulary upon completion of the gateway course, the subsequent foundation training will focus entirely on practical operational skills. You will then join your colleagues at the front line fully trained and deployable.
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.
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?
You will be able to start on the Gateway programme when you have been successfull through the recruiting stages (completion of the assessment centre). As the training in form of the Gateway Programme has to be completed before you can join the force, your actual start date depends on how long it takes you to complete the course, which may vary from candidate to candidate.
Further information
More information can be found at http://www.youdrawtheline.co.uk/ or you can call the Recruiting Department on 023 8074 5315.
Due to us implementing a new E-Recruitment system we are temporarily not accepting any new applications for Special Constables. The system is due to 'go live' by late January 2012 and you can then apply using our new site. The link to the new site will be on this page. Alternately you can e-mail us and we will let you know when the E-Recruiting site is available to use' - e-mail: recruiting.specials@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Please see our recruitment details page for more information on our eligibility criteria and the assessment process to become a Special Constable.
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 2011 - 2013
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, 85KB).
