Vacancy Information
Our special constables have volunteered over 48,000 hours in the last year alone which reflects their ongoing commitment to helping ensure that Surrey is a county that is safe and feels safe.
Over the forthcoming months, we want to grow our Special Constabulary to provide even more operational support to front-line policing. So if you are looking for a unique and rewarding volunteer role and would like to join us within the next 6-12 months, then this is the perfect opportunity for you!
The Role
Our special constables are volunteer police officers from all walks of life who dedicate their valuable spare time to policing their local communities in Surrey.
Being a Special Constable allows you the opportunity to regularly challenge yourself and discover what you are capable of. Volunteering within our diverse policing teams, you’ll engage with new people regularly, learn transferable skills and gain valuable experience.
The hours you volunteer will make a real difference to our local communities as you will help to reduce crime - and the fear of crime - across the county, whilst gaining unique experiences that you are unlikely to encounter elsewhere.
Key Responsibilities
Based across each of the 11 boroughs in Surrey, our special constables wear the same uniform and carry the same powers and responsibilities as our regular police officers.
To become a special constable you will be expected to attend an initial training course twice a week (one evening and one weekend day) for 12 weeks. This course is intensive and incorporates many different aspects of policing and conflict resolution, but once complete you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to begin your volunteering journey with us.
You will then be expected to dedicate a minimum of 16 hours per month to your special constable duties, volunteering alongside our regular police officers carrying out a range of policing activities. This minimum commitment will enable you to maintain your operational competence and as you become more experienced in the role, there may be opportunities to specialise within our UAV (drone) team, our roads policing units or public order units.
Due to the level of commitment required, you should consider this a long-term volunteer role which will continue to offer new experiences and opportunities.
Skills & Experience
We are looking for individuals who have the drive, determination and willingness to learn to become a special constable.
You will need to have good communication skills and be able to think laterally to solve problems, often under pressure. You will encounter a wide range of challenging situations, and must be able to deal with conflict and interact with victims and members of the public calmly and confidently.
To become a special constable you will need to demonstrate that your values are aligned to our Police Code of Ethics and further information about this can be found here:
https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Ethics/Ethics-home/Pages/Code-of-Ethics.aspx
Please note that due to the nature of the work of the Special Constabulary there are a number of occupations that are incompatible with the Office of Constable and persons holding these occupations cannot have their applications considered. These include the following:
Justices of the Peace; clerks to the courts; licensees; certified bailiffs/court warrant officers; members of private security organisations including security guards and door supervisors; private detectives and enquiry agents; serving members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces (although military reservists may be appointed subject to certain conditions); traffic wardens; prison officers; police community support officers; members of the Crown Prosecution Service.
Contact Details
If you have any specific questions about becoming a special constable, please contact us via email specials@surrey.pnn.police.uk.
Additional Information
To apply for the role, you will:
- Be aged 18 years or over when applying. There is no upper age limit.
- Hold a GCSE or equivalent (A*-C) in Maths and English.
- Have lived in the UK for three continuous years, immediately prior to application.
- Have leave to enter or leave to remain and work in the UK for an indefinite period.
- Not be a member of the British National Party (BNP) or other relevant organisations, such as Combat 18 or The National Front.
- Be able to volunteer at least 16 hours a month.
- Not have tattoos which can be seen as discriminatory, violent or intimidating or could be offensive.
- Hold a manual driving license and not have more than 6 penalty points within three years prior to the application date.
To become a special constable you will need to demonstrate that your values are aligned to our Police Code of Ethics and further information about this can be found here:
https://www.college.police.uk/What-we-do/Ethics/Ethics-home/Pages/Code-of-Ethics.aspx
Please note that due to the nature of the work of the Special Constabulary there are a number of occupations that are incompatible with the Office of Constable and persons holding these occupations cannot have their applications considered. These include the following:
Justices of the Peace; clerks to the courts; licensees; certified bailiffs/court warrant officers; members of private security organisations including security guards and door supervisors; private detectives and enquiry agents; serving members of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces (although military reservists may be appointed subject to certain conditions); traffic wardens; prison officers; police community support officers; members of the Crown Prosecution Service.
There is a National Special Constabulary taster event taking place on the 14th of June. A flyer for the event is attached to this advert if you are interested.
Diversity Statement
Our ability to build trust, understand problems and support our communities across a range of policing matters, relies on us having a workforce that is reflective of our communities and all the unique individuals that exist within them. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity within our workforce and to eliminating discrimination.
We are very keen to encourage applications from those that have never considered policing as a career. Representation within our workforce from black and minority ethnic communities is currently much lower than we want it to be; by improving this we will be better able to serve our local communities and our work place will benefit from all the differences in thinking, points of view, and approaches that diversity brings.
We are actively working on a range of activities to improve this and one of the proactive ways we are seeking to increase representation is via a bespoke mentoring scheme which is aimed at guiding applicants from diverse communities through the recruitment process.
For more information email positiveaction@surrey.pnn.police.uk.
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