Volunteer as a special constable Making a change for the better

Support the work of your local police force in the neighbourhood that matters most to you… yours 2 Could you volunteer? What is the Special Constabulary?

The Special Constabulary is a force of trained volunteers who work alongside, and support, their local police. Find out more about the people involved, what they get from their involvement and how special constables fit into the police service.

All specials are fully trained and are briefed ahead of every duty

What’s inside

02 What is the Special Constabulary?

04 What do they do?

05 Why become a special?

06 What is neighbourhood Special constables play a crucial are ready for an exciting challenge, policing? role in fighting crime and making read further to find out how you our streets safer. ‘Specials’, as can become a special. special constables are known, 07 What skills do I need? come from many different backgrounds and all walks of life. What is a special? 08 How will it change They volunteer a minimum of four hours per week and form a vital • Specials are volunteer police my life? link between their community and officers with the same powers regular police officers. as regular officers. What is the Employer 10 Specials have to complete a • Specials spend a minimum of Supported Policing training programme, after which four hours a week, or more, programme? they have the same powers as supporting the police to tackle regular police officers and wear a crime in their communities. similar uniform. 12 Can I join the • Specials are recruited locally by specials? There are over 14,000 of these all 43 police forces in England extraordinary people in the country, and Wales. and we’re looking for more. 13 What next? • Specials work in partnership If you would like to help make your with regular officers and the neighbourhood a better place and wider policing family.

If you would like this document in another format, please contact Equality, Diversity and Human Rights. T 01256 602358 E [email protected] Do you want a challenge? 3

Who can become • The opportunity to work in You can make a difference in a professional environment, the local community a special? supported by up-to-date training and knowledge. • The Special Constabulary is • You’ll develop new contacts, made up of all kinds of people, • A chance to challenge yourself associations and firm from all walks of life and with and show what you’re capable friendships. a wide variety of skills and of. experiences. • An opportunity to learn about Police service roles • Specials are men and women the police before committing to of all races and faiths. a job within the service. • Police officers.

• Specials must be 18 or over. • Police community support Will it change you? officers (PCSOs) – members of the force, focusing on lower What’s in it for you? • You can grow in self-confidence level crime, disorder and anti- and may discover personal social behaviour in communities • The satisfaction of supporting strengths not previously (no power of arrest). your community. recognised. • Police support volunteers – • The opportunity to learn new • You’ll improve your volunteers engaged in a variety transferable skills and gain communications skills. of support roles that do not valuable experience. require police attestation, and • You’ll learn a great deal about are supplemental to the work of your community. full-time staff. 4 Do you want a challenge? What do they do? From tackling anti-social behaviour to crowd control at major events, the work of a special is varied, challenging and, above all, rewarding.

Specials take part in front-line them stay safe and make the Developing as a police work. They spend most of right choices. their time on the streets, doing special intelligence-based patrols in crime hotspots or taking part Tackling crime Once you have been trained in crime-prevention initiatives. and have practical experience This could mean anything from • Confronting anti-social you’ll be able to take on more keeping town centres safe at behaviour on the streets such responsibility as a special. night through to conducting as gangs or intimidating Training is available on an house-to-house enquiries or behaviour. ongoing basis and some forces helping prevent vulnerable have ranks within the Special members of the community from • Managing alcohol-related Constabulary so volunteers can becoming victims of crime. It’s incidents such as public be promoted as their experience hard, demanding work, but from drunkenness or violence. and skills develop. This means your first day on duty, you’ll see that you’ll constantly be faced the impact you’re having. It’s • Enforcing road safety with new challenges and the also extremely varied, and you initiatives such as traffic opportunity to acquire new skills. could easily find yourself doing speed in local communities. any of the following: Investigating crime Ensuring public • Conducting house-to- safety house enquiries to gather information and support • Assisting at the scene of larger enquiries. Special constables have accidents, fires or incidents the same responsibilities and – helping control situations, powers as regulars. They follow ensuring people are safe. Securing convictions the same rules of conduct as regular officers and have the • Providing security and crowd • Present evidence in court to same disciplinary procedures. control at major public events support the justice system in Like regulars, they also have the – preventing injuries and prosecuting offenders. same power of arrest. disorder.

Preventing crime

• Carrying out high-visibility foot patrols to deter and detect I’m a working, single mum. criminals. As a special I work alongside regulars performing duties • Educating businesses and which include drugs raids and older people about crime issuing warrants. I enjoy Friday and how to avoid it to reduce or Saturday evening shifts opportunistic crime and where possible, and I also like people’s fear of it happening. policing football matches.

• Talking to school children Ailsa Pate Special, Lancashire about crime reduction and community safety to help Do you want a better community? 5 Why become a special? If you’re looking for a challenge, become a special and find out what you’re capable of – for yourself and your community.

Becoming a special may See a different world Make the streets provide you with new skills useful for your career and life Out on patrol, you will deal with safer situations and people you would probably never encounter in your Specials are rightly proud of the As a special constable you can day-to-day life. Most of all, you’ll amazing work they do. Going out make a direct contribution to your get to see the real impact of onto the streets to tackle crime local community. You will help crime on people’s lives and the helps increase public safety and fight crime and forge stronger extraordinary power you have maintain community spirit. It connections between the police as an individual to make a real makes neighbourhoods better and the people they serve. If you difference. Being a special is one of places to live, it helps young people don’t wish to become a special the most eye-opening things you make positive choices in their lives constable but still want to support can do. It literally is a life-changing and it helps specials become more your police service you could decision. confident and respected members become a police support volunteer, of their communities. Interested? providing back-up services that Whatever your plans, you’ll find Then read on to find out what kind allow regulars to get on with their working as a member of the wider of people we’re looking for. primary duties. police service family, alongside regular officers of all ranks and other volunteers, an exciting, and Find out what you rewarding experience. are capable of As a special you have duties and The truth is that we are all capable responsibilities to fulfil. I’m quite of far more than we know and a well-known judo expert locally becoming a special is one of the and one day, although I was off- best ways to learn new transferable duty at the time, I was asked to skills and develop untapped help disarm a would-be attacker potential. You’ll face exciting who was spotted brandishing a challenges, acquire valuable skills knife in Scarborough town centre. that will assist in your personal and I was able to approach him with career development, and you can confidence and authority, secure take pride in your achievements the weapon and ensure no harm and bolster your self-respect and came to the general public. confidence. Rafl Aghanian, Special, North Yorkshire 6 Are you local hero material? A local response The Special Constabulary is an excellent bridge between the police service and the public, representing both the community within the police service and the police service within the community.

The success of neighbourhood live within the communities forces the extra resources they policing across the country owes they serve and are well placed need to deal with the issues that a great deal to the important to investigate and solve local really matter to local people such contribution of specials, crimes and find solutions to as speeding, graffiti, trespassing who provide a link between local problems. The flexibility of and underage drinking. regular police officers and the specials, who often can work at community. Special constables evenings and weekends, gives Could you be a special? 7 The skills you need Specials have many varied talents, but a positive attitude and thorough training will give you a great start. Support and training are ongoing as you develop.

The Special Constabulary • resolve disputes tactfully handling common crimes welcomes applications from • think laterally and solve • preparing evidence for court people of all walks of life and problems • conflict resolution and backgrounds. One of the most • plan and take the initiative handling difficult situations important requirements for all • be tolerant and work well in a • self-defence. specials is a commitment to team making a positive difference in • be honest, fair and impartial The training you get as a special their local area. • act with integrity constable, can be valuable • treat the public and their and useful in your career and colleagues with respect and personal life. As a new special Does this sound courtesy. you’ll continue to receive all the support and supervision like you? you need to feel comfortable Training to develop carrying out your duties. While there is some paperwork involved in police work, don’t your skills As you develop, your role as be put off by a lack of formal a special can grow with you. qualifications. The kind of people Before becoming a special Training is ongoing and there will we need have good life skills constable all recruits are fully be opportunities to take on more and experience plus a strong trained in areas including: responsibility so you’re constantly community awareness. They challenged and learning new need to be able to: • what the police force does skills. • the role, powers and duties of • stay calm in a crisis police officers • communicate clearly • preventing, detecting and

I work for Rotherham Borough Council and I am married with one child. As a new special, my involvement in a plain clothes operation to set up a weekly meeting place for teenagers was one of my first tasks; and it’s been challenging. The project has helped build a rapport with the kids, which helps when you meet them on general patrol. I also think we’ve dispelled the myth that the police always give them a hard time. They know now that we are approachable and are just normal human beings. James Keeley, Special Constable, South Yorkshire 8 Do you want a better community? How will it change my life? With many opportunities for promotion and further training, plus the benefit to your CV, becoming a special can not only boost your career – it can change your life. Do you want a better community? 9 How will it change my life?

Becoming a special and helping training you can be promoted keep your community safe is one of and take on more responsibility. the most rewarding decisions you You may also have the option of can make. As well as all the skills training to join specialist teams – you learn and the new experiences like marine support, dog units and you gain, it will have an affect on roads policing. other areas of your life.

Kit, training and expenses

When you give your time, you will receive your uniform, equipment and training. You will also be able to claim expenses to cover Husband and wife, Chas and your costs, and some forces offer Lorraine Maiden (main picture additional allowances for specific with their son and in uniform commitments, but this varies by as specials top right) area. We’re both specials. Chas joined first but I didn’t just Development follow suit. We often go on patrol together, while our opportunities son stays with Grandma. I welcome the opportunity to Some forces have a rank structure have time out from the house in their Special Constabulary, so where I work as a registered with the right experience and childminder. 10 Do you want to make a difference? Employer Supported Policing Organisations in partnership with the specials create an excellent profile for themselves in the community, and reap other tangible benefits that make them stronger. Specials commit a minimum number of hours of their time every week (usually four) to vital front-line police work. As most also work full- time, they depend on the encouragement and support of their employers.

Support from Benefits to How can my employers employers organisation get

People often ask if having an As mentioned above, the skills involved? outside commitment like being that you learn and develop as a Your local force co-ordinator a special could upset their special are directly transferable will be happy to discuss the employers. Our experience is that to your full-time career and are a best arrangement for your employers are usually extremely positive benefit to your company organisation, and can speak happy for staff to become at no cost to your employer. directly to your employer about specials and many actually There are wider benefits too. the benefits of having staff support them by giving staff paid volunteer as specials. time off while they’re on duty. • Supporting the local community Some organisations actively generates positive PR. If your employer is keen to encourage their staff to become be involved they can support specials and work in partnership • Staff development at little members of staff who want to with the Special Constabulary. or no cost – research reveals sign up by agreeing to a fixed Even employers who don’t give that it would cost companies number of paid or unpaid hours time off still respect the work £7,800 per employee to a month so they can carry out specials do. provide similar training. their duties. Your employer can also recognise volunteers’ The reason is straightforward. • Positive promotional achievements and training The skills that you learn, like opportunities for the company of staff through appraisal communication, working under – free editorial coverage in procedures or an award scheme. pressure, leadership and conflict local newspapers. management, are hugely valuable to businesses and can • Improved staff morale I wanted to give something back make you a much more attractive and motivation – a fulfilled to the community I grew up in employee. Ask an employer employee is a happy and being a special was the most to describe the kind of people employee. effective and direct way I could they want to hire and they’ll think of. Like being a magistrate say dedicated, responsible, • Greater staff retention and or town councillor, being a special committed people – just the kind lower recruitment costs – constable is classified by my of people who become specials. employees are more likely to company as a civic activity, so I Put simply, being a special looks be loyal. get a specified number of days great on your CV! paid leave each year for this work. • Tackling local crime and If you are considering becoming disorder. Dave Hutchinson a special and you are worried Cheshire about what your boss might In addition, specials provide think, visit www.npia.police. a visible police presence in an uk/specials and search under organisation’s area. Specials ‘Specials employer support’ for can help reduce crime rates and help and advice. reduce fear of crime among their employer’s clients and staff. Have you realised your true potential? 11

What kind of scheme is available?

The Employer Supported Policing (ESP) programme has been running successfully in a number of forces around the country. Staff within a participating organisation can volunteer to be Employer Support Special Constables. Employers then allow these staff members time off during normal working hours to undergo their Special Constabulary training and then, once fully trained, they allow them an agreed amount of time off within a regular fixed period to undertake duties as a special.

The main ESP scheme is suitable for employers and their staff across a broad range of industry sectors. In addition, the programme also has specific schemes that have grown out of partnerships with different sectors of employment. These include:

• ShopWatch – unites retailers and the police in the fight against crime in stores and shopping areas.

• ArtBeat – encourages experts working in the field of art and antiques to work together with detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Art and Antiques Unit to help prevent and detect crime in this industry.

• BoroughBeat – working in partnership with local authorities (initially in There are currently London), local authority staff are hundreds of British Telecom encouraged to volunteer as specials. staff who work as specials, and BT is demonstrating its • BusBeat – working with bus commitment to the Special companies to provide police training Constabulary by giving our for staff. This results in an increased employees who work as sense of security for co-workers and specials additional days for customers. leave to spend on their volunteer duties. • CampusWatch – aimed at university Robert Leach staff and students to help make the BT university campus a safer place to be.

• HospitalWatch – This scheme encourages hospitals to work in partnership with the police to help improve safety and provide greater reassurance for the staff who work there and the members of the public who use them. 12 Could I be a special? Can I join the specials? The Special Constabulary recruits people of all ages and backgrounds, but there are a few basic criteria that you will need to meet if you want to become a special.

Those applying to become a Height of other jobs affected, please visit special constable must satisfy the the specials website at following basic criteria: There is no minimum height www.npia.police.uk/specials. requirement. Nationality Character and Health and fitness You must be from a country in the previous convictions European Economic Area or have You need to be in good health. leave to enter and remain in the Some forces use a fitness test. You must be of good character UK free of restrictions. and must not associate with any known criminals. If you have Occupation previous minor convictions or Education cautions, this could disqualify You do not need to be working to you from becoming a special; You don’t need any formal become a special. We welcome it will depend on the type of qualifications. However, you will applications from the unemployed offence. If you are a member have to pass written tests. and from those at home bringing of an inappropriate group (for up a family. Some people’s example the British National jobs will, however, be deemed a Party), this could disqualify you Time conflict of interest. Members of from becoming a special. the armed forces, for example, You must be available to volunteer can’t serve as specials. For details for four or more hours a week, usually in a single shift (the Metropolitan Police Service initially My shifts are mainly in the evenings ask for eight hours a week). and weekends – the busiest periods for rowdiness in the high streets. During the day I may help carry out road Age checks and issue speeding tickets. I’m often involved in local fêtes and I tend to You must be at least 18 to work a lot with young people, moving on apply. There is no upper limit for nuisance groups or seizing alcohol. becoming a special. Missy Tsim, Special, Kent Are your ready for a new challenge? 13 What next? You’ve now heard all about the role of a special, so whether you still have more questions or are ready to apply, it’s time to take the next step.

Ready to become a special?

If you’ve got this far, we hope you’re really interested in becoming a special.

If you think it might be for you but have more questions, read the ‘Got a question?’ section below. If you’re ready to apply, read ‘Three steps to becoming a special’.

Three steps to becoming a special

1 Find your nearest force by visiting www.policecouldyou.co.uk.

2 Complete the form and post it to the force that you’re applying to.

3 Go through the individual force’s recruitment procedure.

Got a question?

Get in touch by:

• emailing [email protected]

• calling 0207 021 7065

• visiting www.npia.police.uk/specials

Apply today and do something special for yourself and your community.

Impress yourself today with what you can achieve