What is a Special Constable

Gloucestershire Constabulary are seeking anyone interested in making a difference in their local community to consider becoming a Special Constable. For further information, please contact the Resourcing Unit on: 01452 754353 or email: Resourcing@Gloucestershire.Police.uk  

Message from Huw Jones, Chief Officer Special Constabulary

Many thanks for taking the time to view the Special Constabulary pages of the Gloucestershire Constabulary website.  Special Constables have a long tradition of supporting local policing having first been appointed almost 180 years ago.  Within Gloucestershire Special Constables (SC's) are part of Neighbourhood policing teams and actively work along side the regular force, dealing with the concerns of their own community and responding to incidents. There are almost 200 SC's in Gloucestershire who are involved in all facets of policing, this ensures the role is varied and continues to be a challenge throughout your career with us. It is recognised by the Senior Managers of the Constabulary that the dedication of this group offers an additional resource at times of greatest demand and enhances the work done by using skills obtained in the individuals environment outside the police service.  All of the hours are unpaid but the rewards each officer gains are something they can use in other areas of their lives and gives a sense of achievement. If you are viewing these pages with a view to joining the team I welcome your interest and encourage you to apply.  Should you want to discuss the role more fully if you contact the Resourcing team they will arrange for a serving SC to make contact with you and discuss our role and activity more fully. If there are any others aspects of the role of the Special Constabulary you would wish to discuss then please do not hesitate to make contact with me.

What is a Special Constable?

• Special constables are volunteer Police Officers with the same powers as regular Officers
• Volunteer a minimum of four hours a week
• Support the police to tackle crime in Gloucestershire

What do Special Constables do?

• Ensure public safety
• Prevent Crime
• Tackle Crime
• Investigate Crime
• Secure Convictions

Eligibility

• You must be over 18 to apply.
• There are no height restrictions but we do ask that you are reasonably fit and healthy, appointments are subject to medical and fitness assessments.
• There is a minimum eyesight standard (same as for regular officers) and appointment will be subject to a medical assessment by our Force Medical Advisor

• VETTING RESIDENCY CRITERIA STATEMENT

  You must be a British citizen, an EC/EEA national or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom.  You must have been a resident in the UK for three years, without breaks prior to the date you signed your completed application form. The calculation of the three year period of time refers to the period immediately before an application is made.

  This is to satisfy the requirement to vet all applicants in an equitable manner since the UK Police Service does not currently have any means of facilitating vetting checks overseas to the extent required of those who have been resident in the UK.

  Applicants who cannot be vetted cannot be appointed.

  Gloucestershire Constabulary has agreed a reasonable concession to consider applications from applicants who have been on holiday outside the UK provided this does not exceed more than 3 months within the last 3 years.

  It should be noted that the Chief Officer reserves the right to refuse employment without giving reason under Section 6 Police Act 1966 and the Police (Scotland) Act 1967.

  There are certain occupations that are considered incompatible with the role of Special Constable. These are certain occupations which might present a conflict of interest with the Special Constabulary. Here are some examples, the list below is not exhaustive;

  • The armed Forces
  • Traffic wardens, school crossing patrols and parking attendants
  • Neighbourhood and street wardens and other uniformed patrol wardens
  • Highways agency traffic officers
  • Police Community Support Officers
  • Employers police forces and private constabularies
  • Those involved in the administration of law

• Cautions and Convictions You must declare any conviction, civil or military including minor and juvenile offences, cautions, bind-over’s, reprimands and fixed penalty notices) regardless of how long ago these took place. Failure to declare any of these will result in an application being rejected. Each application will be looked at on it’s own merit

The volunteer benefits can be;

• Opportunities to give something back to the community
• Develop core skills such as;
• Leadership
• Analytical skills
• Negotiating
• Influencing skills
• Self Confidence
• Gain personal satisfaction

These skills will help you as a special to enrich your daily life and improve your full time career prospects

Benefits for the Community

• Raising the police profile reassuring the public and helping to create a safer local community
• Increased visibility of uniformed police staff
• Local crime and disorder issues tackled more effectively
• Helping to reduce crime and fear of crime

Benefits for the Volunteers employment/ organisation

• Supporting the local community generates positive PR
• Staff development at little or no cost
• Improved staff morale and motivation
• Greater staff retention

How to apply

If you want to apply to become a Special Constable, fill in the form to request an application pack.

Feel free to contact the Resourcing Unit on 01452 754353 if you have any questions about the Special Constabulary, or e-mail resourcing@gloucestershire.police.uk.

Gloucestershire Constabulary are not accepting applications from people who do not currently reside within the county of Gloucestershire. Please contact your local force regarding Special Constable recruitment.

The Gloucestershire Constabulary is committed to Equal Opportunities. We particularly welcome applications from members of minority ethnic groups and females, who are currently under-represented in our work force. All applications will be treated on merit.