Vacancy Information
You already have a career you love - now you want a different challenge in your spare time. As a special constable officer you'll have the same uniform and powers as regular officers. From being first on the scene and taking knives off the streets to educating young people, you'll be working alongside regular police officers and PCSOs to make Sussex safer.
Our 'Specials', as the special constables are known, come from all walks of life. Specials are men and women of all races and faiths. They're teachers, taxi drivers, chefs, accountants and secretaries and they all volunteer a minimum of 16 hours a month. When you join Sussex Police, you become part of our policing family - we are with you each step of the way.
Eligibility Criteria
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 or a Bachelors Degree. If you do not have this you can undertake a skills test which will assess your Maths and English level – if you meet the level 2 standard your application will be allowed to continue.
• Not have a current application in for Police Officer.
• 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.
• Not have more than 6 penalty points on your driving license within three years prior to the application date. (You do not need a driving license to apply)
• There are a number of jobs that are considered incompatible with the role of special constable. To be sure that your current employment will not prevent your application from proceeding please see below or contact us at recruitment@sussex.police.uk.
Training Dates
Training to become a Special Constable consists of 15 alternate weekends and 13 evenings of training. These are mix of face to face and virtual sessions. Unfortunately due to the amount of learning required there is no flexibility to miss a day so please bear this in mind.
The dates for our October 2024 intake which we are recruitment for our attached. Please note that this is the only intake that is currently planned.
Recruitment Timeline
Please note all dates are subject to change
Eligibility Checking - 11th February 2024 - 13th February 2024
Online Tests (Behavioural Styles Questionnaire and Situational Judgement Test) - 14th February 2024 - 21st February 2024. For applications after 13th February 2024 - Online Tests - 28th February 2024 - 6th March
Level 2 Assessments (for those without GCSE Maths and English) - 29th February 2024 - 7th March 2024
In force Assessment - From 2nd April 2024
Course Start - 16th October 2024
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's really important to us that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity can bring; all of which helps us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have a multiple staff support groups who help improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious beliefs, we would love to hear from you.
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