Community Special Constables
Like all Special Constables, Community Special Constables want to help keep people safe. But Community Specials volunteer their time to help the people who live and work in their own towns or parishes.
As a member of the local community, Community Specials know what is going on where they live. They understand the things that matter in their neighbourhoods. They use the police skills and experience they gain from being a Special Constable to support their community. This could be through being on patrol, responding to community concerns, offering advice, or catching criminals. Providing that reassuring presence for those who live or work in your area.
Community Specials are volunteers, they don't get paid. But the local council will pay allowances and expenses and have a say in the issues their Community Specials deal with.
Community Specials have the same police powers, uniforms and equipment as regular police officers.
So if you've ever thought 'I don't see enough Bobbies on the beat where I live' or 'I think I could make a difference to my community' then we want to hear from you.
You will be given the training and support you need to prepare you in becoming a Community Special. The skills and tools to help you make a difference in your community.
You can apply to become a Community Special in the following areas:
- Alresford
- Billericay
- Birchanger
- Black Notley
- Boreham
- Bradwell
- Brightlingsea Town Council
- Broomfield Parish Council
- Buckhurst Hill
- Burnham on Crouch
- Chelmsford Garden Community Council
- Chigwell
- Colne Engaine
- Danbury
- Dedham
- Elsenham
- Feering
- Galleywood
- Great Baddow
- Great Burstead & South Green
- Great Dunmow
- Great Wakering
- Great Waltham
- Gosfield
- Halstead
- Hatfield Heath
- Hatfield Peverel
- Hawkwell
- Herongate & Ingrave
- Hockley
- Hullbridge
- Ingatestone & Fryerning
- Kelvedon
- Lambourne
- Leigh on Sea
- Little Baddow
- Little Clacton
- Little Yeldham
- Maldon
- Mayland
- Myland
- Newport
- Ongar
- Ramsey & Parkeston
- Rayleigh
- Rayne
- Rettendon
- Rochford
- Roydon
- Runwell
- Saffron Walden
- South Hanningfield
- Springfield
- Stanford Rivers
- Stansted Mountfitchet
- Stanway
- Stebbing
- Stock
- Thaxted
- Tiptree
- Weeley
- West Bergholt
- West Hanningfield
- West Mersea
- Wickford
- Witham
- Wivenhoe
- Woodham Ferrers & Bicknacre
- Writtle
- You'll be integrated into a Community Policing Team
- Start and end their duty as close to their community as possible.
- Spend the majority of their time within the council area’s neighbourhoods.
- Be visible and accessible in local communities on uniformed patrol.
- Help address local issues and priorities as informed by the local council and police intelligence-led tasking.
- Patrol hot spots identified through intelligence or which have been deemed to be priority areas.
- Respond to police-related incidents within the council area.
- Engage with local communities and support further recruitment of Specials.
- Attend suitable local council meetings where available to do so.
- Have regard to the Council’s aims and objectives in their voluntary service.
Want to find out more?
If you're interested in becoming a Community Special Constable with Essex Police and want to find out more, come along to one of our information events.
We host information events, both online and in person across the county. Find out what being a Special Constable involves and the training and support you'll receive. Ask questions, speak to experienced Specials and those who have completed the process.
If you're interested in attending one of our events, book your place and a member of our team will be in contact with more details.
Here are our upcoming events:
- Thursday 26 September from 6.30pm
Online meeting - Wednesday 13 November from 6.30pm
Online meeting
Alternatively, contact our Special Constabulary and a member of the team will get back to you.