Special Constable FAQs

A Special Constable is a part-time, voluntary police officer who works in some of the most vital areas of modern policing.

As a fully trained Special Constable, you will have full police powers, wear a police uniform, and work alongside regular officers and police staff to reduce crime, support communities, and assist with investigations.

Special Constables carry out the same duties as regular Police Constables. Their responsibilities vary daily and may include:

• Responding to incidents
• Conducting foot patrols
• Tackling anti-social behaviour
• Assisting with operations
• Carrying out house-to-house enquiries
• Providing security at events
• Engaging with local communities

To ensure you are fully prepared, you will receive high-quality training and develop the necessary skills to perform your duties effectively.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old at the time of their application. There is no upper age limit for appointment to the Special Constabulary, however all applicants are tested to ensure they are physically fit enough to perform the role.

The minimum age to apply is 18. There is no upper age limit, provided you can pass the recruitment process, including a medical and fitness check.

No specific qualifications are required. Instead, we are looking for individuals with relevant skills and experience who can confidently contribute to local communities on a voluntary basis.

While there are no guarantees, working as a Special Constable provides valuable insight into policing and first-hand experience of the role. Many of our Special Constables go on to become regular full-time officers, and we are always happy to support those who wish to take that step.

To be eligible for appointment as a Special Constable, applicants should be a British citizen or a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland. If the candidate is not a national of an EEA member state or Switzerland, they must have permission to enter, or have leave to remain in the UK for an indefinite period. All applicants must be resident in the UK free of restrictions, or have an entitlement to do so.

We will take into account where officers live and try to accommodate their requests. In most cases this is achieved, however, deployment depends on operational need and Special Constables will be required to serve anywhere across the West Mercia policing area, as would a police officer.

The position regarding Special Constables in Home Office police forces is that they should not take an active part in politics.

Convictions or cautions will not necessarily prevent applicants from being appointed. It will depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence. However, applications will be terminated if candidates fail to disclose convictions or cautions.

Yes. There are benefits for employers too in terms of developing new skills that are transferable to the employee's full-time occupation. 

As Special Constables are volunteers, they cannot be compelled by law to report for duty.