Special Constables
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 your community in Shropshire, Telford, Worcestershire or Herefordshire?
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.
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.
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 West Mercia Police or with another UK force.
Being a Special Constable is a long-term commitment: there are several Special Constables in West Mercia Police who have completed over ten years' service and have made a real difference to people’s lives.
Free Subscription to The Police Federation
The West Mercia Police Crime Commissioner has agreed to cover the cost of subscription to the Police federation for all serving Special Constables. Find out more about the Police Federation here.
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.
Learning and Development Trainers provide the necessary knowledge and understanding to meet the needs of the organisation and that of the College of Policing.
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. There has been significant investment in our Problem Solving Hubs on each Local Policing Area, with plenty of opportunities for Special Constables which involve rural and business crime, licensing, modern slavery, human trafficking and missing people. 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 the West Mercia policing area. They deal with high visibility patrols in high crime areas, community issues, anti-social behaviour and long-term problems in specific areas, as well as prevention, engagement and Intel gathering.
Operational Policing Units: these contain Roads Policing Officers, who have received fast roads training and are 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.
Special Constables are also able to assist with different areas of policing in a non-operational capacity, which may include analytical work, the use of media solutions and community engagement methods to contribute to our vision of ‘Protecting Communities from Harm’.
How to Apply?
To apply to become a Special Constable please click the link below: