Special Constabulary – Could you be a local hero and become a Special Constable?

Our Special Constables are voluntary, part-time police officers who work in some of the most important areas of modern policing. Would you be willing to make a real difference to communities in the Leamington, Stratford, Rugby, Nuneaton and North Warwickshire areas? As a fully-trained Special Constable, you will have full police powers, wear a police uniform and work alongside regular police officers and police staff, with opportunities for promotion and to develop your leadership and management skills. In return, you will be required to commit a minimum of 16 hours a month, although many people do significantly more as the hours can be flexible to fit around your work and home life commitments.

Benefits

As a Special Constable, you’ll learn about policing, develop new skills, meet people, enjoy new experiences and protect people from harm. You will be fully trained to give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to handle even the most difficult of situations. It includes learning:

• about the police service and the duties of a police officer
• the powers of arrest
• common crimes
• personal protection
• problem solve
• how to prepare evidence for court
• how to deal with difficult situations or people.

As a result, our Special Constables discover new things about themselves and the depths of their capabilities. Special Constables are unpaid, but you are entitled to certain allowances, including travel to and from your place of duty, boot allowance and compensation for any loss of earnings if you are required to attend court. The uniform is provided free of charge and includes kit such as radio, baton, handcuffs and Body Worn Video to help keep you safe. The experience gained as a Special Constable is invaluable and can be a great stepping stone for furthering your career, whether in the police or developing your role elsewhere. Many new Special Constables hope to move on to become a regular police officer, either with Warwickshire Police or with another UK force. Being a Special Constable is a long-term commitment: there are several Special Constables in Warwickshire Police who have completed over ten years’ service and have made a real difference to people’s lives.

Roles and responsibilities

Special Constables work across a variety of policing teams, and when fully-trained can do everything that a regular police officer does, including:

• patrols on foot and in police vehicles
• roads policing
• searching people, vehicles and premises
• investigating crime, arresting suspects and taking statements from witnesses
• policing major events, such as festivals, marches and football matches
• tackling local issues, such as anti-social behaviour and harassment.

After initial training, you’ll be attached to a Tutor Constable for approximately 9-12 months. During this time, you will complete a personal development portfolio covering various aspects of policing, and you are then signed off for independent patrol. For those officers who commit the time and dedication, there are many opportunities available, and you are able to apply to work with the following teams when vacancies are available:

Patrol: these are the frontline, uniformed teams that respond to 999 and 101 calls, as well as proactively patrolling and dealing with any crimes they come across.

Safer Neighbourhoods Teams: these teams are based at local police stations across Warwickshire. They deal with community issues, anti-social behaviour and long-term problems in specific areas.

Operational Policing Units: these contain Roads Policing Officers working on the frontline, as well as being deployed with pre-planned operations.

Police Support Units: these are the public order units that support other police services at football matches, protests and marches. They also respond to incidents of major disorder.

Warwickshire are currently recruiting new Special Constables in our area. For more information – https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/police-forces/warwickshire-police/areas/warwickshire-police/ca/careers/volunteers/special-constabulary/