Vacancy Information
Our special constables have volunteered over 40,000 hours in the last year which is a fantastic contribution to frontline policing and reflects our Special Constabulary’s commitment to ensuring that Surrey is a county that is safe and feels safe.
In 2023, we want to grow our Special Constabulary to provide even more operational support to frontline 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!
Chief Constables' Message
We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.
We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.
We wish you all the very best with your application.
Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner
Key Responsibilities
Based within each of our 11 boroughs in Surrey, our special constables wear the same uniform and have the same powers and responsibilities as our regular (paid) police officers.
To become a special constable, you will be expected to attend an initial training course of 14 weeks. During this course, you will be expected to attend training on one evening every week and on alternate weekends (Saturday and Sunday). The 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 policing.
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 monthly commitment will enable you to maintain your operational competence.
As you become more experienced in the role, there may be opportunities to specialise within our UAV (Drone) Team, our Roads Policing Units, Public Order Units or working alongside one of our partner agencies on our Joint Response Unit (JRU).
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 and determination needed 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 members of the public calmly and confidently.
To become a special constable you will need to demonstrate that your values are aligned to our Policing Code of Ethics and further information about this can be found here.
Contact Details
A number of the questions we are commonly asked are answered within our Special Constable Recruitment Guide, however if you have a question this doesn’t answer, please contact us directly via specials@surrey.police.uk.
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's important 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 the skills that diversity brings; all of which help 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 multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.
Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police
Additional Information
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.