Special Constabulary
Special Constable recruitment event
Are you interested in becoming a Volunteer Police Officer for Essex Police? If so then join us for our online recruitment information event.
The event will consist of a series of short presentations about being a Special Constable; the various roles available within the Special Constabulary and the recruitment process. There will be an opportunity after the presentations to ask any questions.
Please note that you must register via the link below. Further information about the event will be sent to you once booked.
This recruitment event will take place online on Wednesday 6 December 2023 at 6.30pm.
Book your place on the virtual Special Constable recruitment event
What is a Special Constable?
Special Constables are volunteer Police Officers. They have the same police powers, uniforms and equipment as regular Police Officers but sacrifice their free time on a voluntary basis, organising their busy personal lives, day jobs and other commitments around police duties. They do not get paid, but are reimbursed for expenses.
A Special in Essex is someone who will be valued, supported and integrated into the wider policing family. They’re someone who will learn new skills, see new things and make tangible differences to the lives of the public they serve. A Special in Essex is someone who makes new friends, sees life from new perspectives and upholds the law.
A Special Constable is an extraordinary person, a remarkable person, a special person. Join us and be that person.
Once you have carefully read all the information on this page you can begin your application to join the Essex Police Special Constabulary.
We look forward to receiving your application and welcoming you into one of the most fulfilling volunteer careers there is.
Who we are looking for
Before applying, please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria detailed below.
You must be able to answer 'Yes' to the following statements:
- I hold a UK passport or am a British Citizen, member of the EC or other states in the European Economic Area. If you are a Commonwealth Citizen or a foreign national, you must be resident in the UK free from restrictions and with indefinite leave to remain in the UK
- I have lived in the UK continuously for the last three years. This does not apply to those serving abroad with the British Armed Forces
- I am 17 years old or older at the point of application. If you are 17, you can go through the recruitment and selection process, but will not receive an offer of employment until you have turned 18
- I have not been unsuccessful in an application for the same role with any home office force in the last six months
Additional notes
- Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals can also apply if you have leave to enter or remain in the UK indefinitely and you're free of restrictions
- there are no height restrictions for those wishing to join us
Policing is not easy. Not only do you need determination and drive but you also need to be as healthy as possible and have a good level of fitness.
Medical
Some medical conditions can prevent you from being able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job.
To find out more please view our health and fitness FAQs as well as the the HM Government medical standards information which provides full details on which illnesses, injuries and disorders will affect your ability to perform the role of a police officer.
Fitness
You will be required to run a 15 metre track in time with bleeps which get increasingly faster. You need to meet level 5.4 on the bleep test to be successful.
If you fail on your first attempt don't worry. You're allowed two more attempts within 12 weeks (second attempt after six weeks, third attempt six weeks later). If after the third attempt you are not successful, we will be unable to continue with your application.
Find out more on the College of Policing website.
Tattoos
If you have a tattoo, you'll be asked to provide a brief and accurate description and two digital colour photos of each tattoo:
- a distance photograph to clearly identify where on your body the tattoo is.
- a close photograph which clearly identifies the images in the tattoo.
Each photograph should not be more than 1MB in size. Please email them to the Business Services - recruitment team.
Tattoos will be divided into three categories:
- Tattoos that will never be visible (i.e., back, chest, legs, upper arms). These tattoos are acceptable unless they are offensive to any religion or belief, or could be perceived as being discriminatory, violent, or intimidating.
- Tattoos that would be visible whilst wearing a short sleeve shirt. These tattoos will be visible, and applications will be rejected if the tattoos are considered offensive to any religion or belief, or could be perceived as being discriminatory, violent, or intimidating. Additionally, we reject tattoos which are sinister in nature or have the potential to scare will be rejected (examples of this would include skulls, mummified faces, weapons, animals baring teeth).
- Tattoos anywhere on the neck, head, or hands. A decision will be made taking into consideration exact location, size, and nature.
All applications will be assessed on an individual basis and tattoos meeting any of the above criteria will prevent you from being able to join us.
Body piercings
If you have a body piercing or other body modification you may be considered eligible to apply.
We'll check it to make sure it doesn't breach the Standard of Professional Behaviour for serving police officers or constitute a risk to health and safety.
Ideally, you shouldn't have a criminal conviction or cautions record. If you do have one, eligibility will depend on the age and nature of the offence.
We're unable to confirm whether your convictions record will affect your application before you apply but will determine this from information provided during the recruitment and selection process.
If you don't tell us about any cautions, investigations or criminal convictions that may be linked to you at an early stage, your application could be refused simply because you weren't open and up front, whereas it might have been accepted if you were.
If in any doubt, disclose the information.
For more information please view the vetting guidance.
It's important that you're not under pressure from un-discharged debts or liabilities and that you can manage loans and debts sensibly.
You will not qualify for vetting clearance if you:
- have existing county court judgments (CCJs) outstanding
- have been registered bankrupt and have not discharged your bankruptcy. Applicants will not be considered until three years after the discharge of the debt. Debt Relief Orders (DRO) are treated in the same way as bankruptcy
- if you refuse to discuss a relevant matter or engage with the vetting process
For more information please view the vetting guidance.
You will be required to undertake a substance misuse test.
If you are using illegal drugs you will be ruled out of the recruitment process automatically.
What would I do?
- Make our communities and its people safer by supporting the regular force
- Improve public confidence and support victims by detecting and investigating crime
- Improve communication with communities by providing an important link between them
- Assist the force with many aspects of policing, from high-visibility patrols to traffic operations, counter-terrorism and community safety
- Make Essex a safer place by working with colleagues to bring those responsible for crime to justice, from arrest through to conviction
What would I gain from being a Special?
- Make a difference to communities and people
- Build your confidence
- Develop new skills in a unique and challenging role
- Gain opportunities for promotion in a rank structure mirrored to the regulars
- Fully funded access to Police Federation
- Option to sign up for a Blue Light card
- You are reimbursed for expenses, including: cost of travel (by car or public transport) to your home station (40 Mile Limit) and during training, parking costs, subsistence on shift
- Explore opportunities to progress in specialist policing roles (such as, Roads Policing, Marine Unit, Investigative teams, Dogs Section, Specialist Airport teams, Roads Crime team)
- Opportunity to complete Response training, Pursuit training, Advanced driver training, Detective Accreditation, Public Order training
- Access to Body Worn Cameras and a work mobile device
What do I need to be a Special?
- To be 17 years old or older at the point of application. If you are 17, you can go through the recruitment and selection process, but will not be able to start until you have turned 18
- Complete on average, 16 operational hours a month (plus 2 additional hours a month through engagement training and associated development processes).
- Meet the required fitness standard
- Commit to the initial training requirements of 20 days
Ready? Begin your application
Special Constables are subject to the same Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour as regular officers, whether on or off duty.
Being a constable is a privilege and bestows significant powers and responsibilities; a volunteer Police Officer has the same powers as a paid Police Officer and that carries with it the same expectations in terms of standards and public service.
If you believe that you have the skills, ability and professionalism to police your communities fairly, impartially and with the necessary commitment then we’d welcome your application.
Either call the Recruitment Team on 01245 452234 (Quoting the role of Special Constable) where we can discuss a modified quick application for you or use the below link to complete the online application form.
Transfer from another force or rejoin
If you have previously been a Special Constable or if you’re thinking of transferring to us, please find more information on our Transfer or rejoin as a Special Constable page.
We want to deliver great policing in Essex by giving the best possible volunteer experience for our Specials. Come and be part of that experience.
The process and what happens next
Once you have carefully read all the information on this page you can complete an application to join the Essex Police Special Constabulary.
Medical standards
Please read our medical FAQs for more information about the medical standards required for this role. Each case is always reviewed individually and candidates will never be excluded automatically on the basis of a medical condition or disability.
The HM Government website also has detailed information on medical standards including which illnesses, injuries and disorders will affect your ability to perform the role of a police officer - these also apply to Specials.
If you are eligible you need to complete the initial application so we can invite you to the next stages.
Our business Services team will conduct eligibility checks and send links to complete the National Sift process through the College of Policing.
You will have the option of either a face to face interview or virtual interview (evenings). The interview is based around the Competency Values Framework.
During this stage, you will need to attend a medical examination, provide DNA and fingerprints, provide further information about yourself (and family members), attend a uniform fitting and complete a fitness test (level 5.4 on a 15m bleep test).
To become a Special Constable, you must undertake 20 days of classroom based training before you can be attested. We currently offer two types of training sessions:
Intensive - Monday to Friday for four weeks
Alternate Weekends - Every other Saturday and Sunday for 20 weeks
Please note that availability for each course may vary depending on the number of applicants.
We’re giving you an exclusive insight into the training course our Special Constables embark on to equip them with full policing powers.
After your 20 days of training, you will be attested in front of a Magistrate and receive not only your warrant card, but also your full policing powers and the start of your adventure as a Special Constable.
Have a question? Please contact us.
Not sure yet? Speak to a Special
Want to discuss the role with one of our Specials? Leave your details and we'll be in touch
Meet some of our Special Constables
Tell us a bit about yourself
I have been in the force for more than 13 years holding a rank of Special Sergeant at Colchester police station.
Around 17 years ago, I came to this country to try and support my family financially, but I never expected I would stay here and find a new home for myself.
Outside the force I own my massage therapy business, as well as my own none-profit OCR Sports Organisation called Squadron303 Racing Team. All over the world, me and my teammates promote the history of Polish pilots fighting in the Battle of Britain by encouraging people to be active and enjoy obstacle racing.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Apart from helping people and feeling an extreme satisfaction doing so, I enjoy the sense of purpose and being part of a team who are always there for me. I feel accepted for who I am, not for where I’m from. I enjoy the adrenaline rush, decision making process and feeling of accomplishment at the end of every day.
Were there any barriers to joining Essex Police?
For me, it was difficult due to the language barrier. I never learnt English in school, and I was concerned my communication skills wouldn’t be good enough, but I was very wrong. 13 years later, I’m still here passing my skills and knowledge on to student officers.
The force offers so many different ways of supporting colleagues, like mobile devices for people with dyslexia, flexible shift patterns, and mental health support. I always encourage people to come and speak to us to find out more about the roles within Essex Police.
Why do you think it’s so important that our force values difference?
It is important that the force values difference. To be able to grow, our force continues to learn and adapt to support everyone and their needs.
How has Essex Police as an organisation supported you in your career?
I have always been supported by my command team and my local officers. They’re like my friends and family and I can always rely on them.
Tell us something interesting about your role?
Every day is different, and you never know what will happen.
There’s one thing that surprised me that I didn’t think I’d gain from my role.
I always thought that I was very much a single player and, as much as I could be part of a team, I was always looking after myself.
As a Sergeant, I discovered the success of my team is also my success. I feel proud when I see my officers’ achievements and seeing them support people in need.
I’ve grown on the skills that I didn’t think I had in me.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about joining Essex Police?
If you are thinking about joining but you are not sure, come and see us at one of our open days or recruitment stalls across Essex. We will be happy to answer all your questions, and I promise you won't regret it.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I have been a Special with Essex Police for 1 year. I am based at Chelmsford. Outside of my role as a Special I am studying for a degree in Sociology.
What do you enjoy most about your role
There are so many benefits of being a Special. You gain a huge amount of experience in dealing with all kinds of situations, it can be anything from dealing with a drink driver to a theft.
I love being able to help people and leave knowing that I have made a huge difference to others. I couldn’t be prouder to be a Special Constable, it’s a volunteering experience that you wouldn’t get anywhere else.
Were there any barriers to joining Essex Police
I used to think that being a short female would impact my application and mean that I would be treated differently, however this made absolutely no difference.
My application process went smoothly and I have never had any issues of sexism when being allocated jobs on the frontline. I love going in and representing female officers in the hopes of inspiring others that there is no reason to feel as though we aren’t capable of doing what once was a heavily male-dominated occupation.
Why do you think it’s so important that our force values difference
It is paramount to understand that with policing comes the need to adopt a different range of views and perspectives. Something you view as minor means the whole world to someone.
Essex is a hugely diverse community and it is important for us to recognise this to help every single member of our community when they need us most.
How has Essex Police as an organisation supported you in your career
Essex Police has provided me with so many transferrable skills. I have obtained conflict management skills, improved hugely upon my communication skills and I have also had the opportunity to be recruitment interview skill trained meaning I can interview future Specials for Essex Police.
My confidence and awareness skills have increased massively.
Tell us something interesting about your role
Specials get the opportunity to take part in all kinds of operations and events across all areas of policing. It can be anything from traffic operations responding to wanted persons in cars or stolen cars to Specials coming together and taking over the entire shift for the night to allow our regular PC colleagues time to complete paperwork.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about joining Essex Police
Do it! You never know what you are capable of until you try, and you really won’t regret it.
Support is given to you every step of the way and the benefits of this unique volunteering experience is never-ending.
Tell us about yourself
I am a retired regular officer having served 30 years in The Metropolitan Police. I retired in 2016 but in 2020 came back to policing as a Community Special Constable.
I live in a rural area and had seen the policing presence reduced over several years. I decided that I still had experience and skills to offer and I could still make a difference. To put it in other words, I could “put up or shut up”.
I wasn’t after another policing career but could offer reassurance and visibility to the community where I live. I run my own security consultancy business and also do part time pet transport driving.
What do you enjoy most about your role
Being able to provide a visible policing presence and engaging with my community. The feedback from my community has been very positive and having a cop walking the streets, talking with them and helping solve some of the issues that concerns them.
Where there any barriers to joining Essex Police
For me no as I was considered a rejoiner given my previous policing experience.
Why do you think it is important that our force values difference
The policing in this country is one of consent. We should be reflective of the communities we serve. Difference adds a wider perspective to experience, culture and values and allows solutions to issues to be better and more fully explored.
At the end of the day we are all human.
How has Essex Police as an organisation supported your career
I do not personally see my role as a career but as an opportunity to give back. Essex Police are very supportive of their Specials. The uniforms and equipment are identical to regular officers and there is an extensive training and development program.
Community police teams love to involve Specials and support policing solutions suggested by me based on my policing and other world experiences.
Tell us something interesting about your role
I know who bakes the best cakes in my villages!
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about joining Essex Police
Be certain about why you want to go into policing and then embrace it. If this is something you have often thought about but something else got in the way then take the opportunity, don’t let barriers stop you – again “put up or ...”
More about becoming a Community Special Constable like Spike.
Tell us about yourself
I have been a Special with Essex Police for three years; I spent two years working as a Community Special Constable in Saffron Walden and the last year as an acting tutor Sergeant, having recently moved to Stansted Airport.
Outside of my role as a Special I work full time as a first-aid trainer and medical assessor and I’m also studying a for a degree in Policing and Criminology.
What do you enjoy most about your role
I love lots of things about being a Special, so picking just one is hard. However, I think it would have to be the public engagement side of things.
I love talking to people, understanding their problems and then getting to help resolve them. Not just in the short term but also for the long term as well.
Being a Special is not all about racing around on blue lights chasing cars, it’s about making a difference and helping those who can’t always help themselves.
Talking to people through different situations such as domestic incidents, fraud and animal cruelty, are the kind of jobs that make me proud to be a Special Constable.
Where there any barriers to joining Essex Police
I am dyslexic and struggle with spelling and mathematics and when I first read the information on the Specials recruitment page it was not very clear if there would be any support available.
However, after a phone call to the Recruitment Team, I was much more confident in applying for the role.
They provided me with steps I could take and information about all the support and help I could receive.
Why do you think it is important that our force values difference
In my role as a Special it’s important to take each situation as it comes as not all victims and suspects are the same and nor are their needs.
This approach is something that is actively encouraged by Essex Police, and it has helped me to improve my own understanding of diversity and inclusion.
How has Essex Police as an organisation supported your career
Essex Police has provided me with many extra skills that I can use outside of my role as a Special such as conflict resolution, and leadership skills.
It has help to increase my confidence and I have found it quite helpful to have co-workers and friends with first-hand experience and knowledge to ask when I get stuck with the legal aspect of my studies.
Tell us something interesting about your role
Being a Special at Stansted Airport is an exciting and varied role, where I get to make a real difference to people.
I have been able to get to be involved in operations and develop my skills all the time.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about joining Essex Police
Go for it, don’t let the recruitment process put you off.
There is help available every step of the way and the end result is definitely worth the effort.
I love knowing that I can now make a real difference to people’s lives. Don’t sit behind a desk looking at Excel spreadsheets all day, give yourself a challenge and achieve your true potential.
In your area
You probably care most about the places where you walk, cycle or drive; where you exercise the dog, go for a jog, let your kids out to play or where you pop to the shops. You might have thought that you don’t see enough “Bobbies on the Beat” in these places? Well, why don’t you volunteer as a Community Special Constable and be that bobby?
We want a Special Constable in every community in Essex. We already have Specials working on local policing and community policing teams and across a number of specialist areas, but Community Special Constables are something new, something different, something that delivers visible policing at a really local level.
Find out more about Community Specials
Ready to begin your 'Community Special' application?
Start your application via the below link.
