Medical Requirements For Joining As A Special Constable

Applicants must be able to meet the medical standards to perform the duties of Special Constable once appointed. 

Disability

Special Constables are covered by disability and equality legislation.  If you have a disability, we will make adjustments where it is reasonable to do so.  Please provide any relevant information about your disability and details of any reasonable adjustment you think you may need to undertake the assessment process.

Disability is defined as a "physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities".

Health

You will be required to complete a health questionnaire.  This will be assessed by the Occupational Health Team, and if necessary, further information may be requested from yourself, current or previous occupational health departments, your GP or specialist (consent will be requested as appropriate).

Applicants also need:

• A satisfactory height to weight ratio. Home Office guidelines are followed using the Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement.   BMI measurements should range between 18-30 - classified as normal weight range.  Measurements outside this range may lead to rejection.  Therefore, we would require you to reach this range on application or be able to demonstrate that you are currently working towards achieving them.
• Good respiratory function.
• Applicants need to have above average core muscular stability.  If you do not exercise your muscular-skeletal system regularly, you are advised to seek advice and training from a qualified health and fitness instructor for 6-12 months prior to applying for the role of Special Constable.

West Mercia Special Constables are randomly drug tested.  Any person considering applying should not have used illegal drugs or substances at any time. Any positive results will be sent to the police intelligence department for further investigation.