Employer Supported Policing

Employer Supported Policing (ESP) is a national initiative that enables organisations to support employees in their role as Special Constables. Through this scheme, employees can carry out their Special Constable duties during work hours without any impact on their pay or other employment benefits.

Organisations may grant employees a set number of hours or days per month or year to serve as Special Constables, with flexibility to tailor arrangements to suit both the business and the employee. There is no contractual commitment, and participation remains entirely voluntary - both businesses and employees can opt out at any time.

What is a Special Constable?

Special Constables are voluntary, part-time police officers who play a vital role in making our communities safer.  

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.

To find out more about the role of a Special Constable, please click here.

Benefits for employers

Signing up to Employer Supported Policing, offers far more than just a corporate social responsibility checkbox. it brings meaningful advantages to both your organisation and your employees:

• Strengthens your organisation’s reputation and presence within local communities
• Enhances staff morale, wellbeing, and retention
• Equips employees with valuable transferable skills such as confidence, assertiveness, communication, and teamwork
• Delivers unique development opportunities that traditional training can’t replicate
• Opens opportunities for positive publicity and brand visibility

Benefits for employees

Volunteering as a Special Constable can help employees:

• learn new skills and knowledge
• gain insight into local policing
• make relationships with people in your local community
• inspire others around you and instil community spirit

Get involved

If you are an employee, or employer interested in getting involved, or if you have any questions about ESP, please contact [email protected].