Special Constabulary

'Make a difference in your community, become a Special Constable'
We are currently recruiting.

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Gloucestershire Constabulary are appealing to anyone interested in making a difference in the local community to consider becoming a Special Constable.

It is hoping to increase the numbers of Special Constables from the current 168 to 200 by the end of 2011.

We are currently progressing candidates for the remaining Induction Courses of this current financial year and will continue to progress candidates in the future for intakes planned in 2011/12 financial year.  All candidates have to successfully complete all of the Force Recruitment processes before an offer to join as a Special Constable is madeThe next Induction is to commence in Summer 2010, subject to the recruitment process completing in time. The induction is held over 17 days and runs on weekends and evenings, it includes legislative input, powers of arrest, officer safety training and first aid, IT and communications and practical application exercises. On completion of the induction you will become a warranted officer and will be deployed to your Safer Community Team for active duty.

If this site leaves any of your questions unanswered, feel free to contact us with any queries regarding Gloucestershire Special Constabulary.

Telephone: 01452 754353 (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00) 

E-mail: resourcing@gloucestershire.police.uk

A vital link

The core role of the Special Constabulary is that of added value support to the regular police service.  As a volunteer force, its principle function is to be visibly and positively engaging with the local community it is drawn from, through alignment with neighbourhood policing and the citizen focus agenda.

As a Special Constable you will play a crucial role in forging stronger links between the police and the community. Specials help Gloucestershire Constabulary satisfy the needs of the public by offering the reassurance of more uniformed officers on the streets.

Give your life a new dimension

Becoming a Special Constable will give you a range of fresh opportunities and challenges. Essentially you perform the same duties as a regular officer and this can include walking the beat, traffic duties, schools and community initiatives and reducing the fear of crime among members of the public by offering crime prevention advice.

Did you know ...

• We only ask for a minimum of 4 hours service from you a week (the more you can do the better!)
• You do not have to perform duty in your own community but you can if you wish.
• 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.
• You must be a British, Irish, Commonwealth or European Economic Area citizen or other foreign national whose stay in the UK is unrestricted. You must have been resident in the UK for at least the last 3 years, without breaks.
• There are certain occupations that are considered incompatible with the office of Special Constable. These are occupations which might present a conflict of interests with the Special Constabulary. For further information call 01452 754353, or e-mail resourcing@gloucestershire.police.uk

Flexible working hours

When you become a Special Constable, we recognise that you will have other commitments, interests and responsibilities. This is why we do not ask you to work fixed hours or shifts. You contribute what time you can - whether that is mornings, evenings or every Friday night - whatever fits in best with your job or family responsibilities.

All we ask is that you regularly perform an average of 4 hours a week, 208 hours a year! Many Special Constables complete all their hours in two shifts a month.
 
Remember, the more dedicated you are, the more experience you will gain and the more responsibility you will be offered by the police officers that you work with.
 
You may even find yourself being promoted to a position of more responsibility and rank within the Special Constabulary.

Training

The training is 17 training sessions held over weekend days and some week day evenings at Gloucestershire Police HQ.

The probationary period for a special is 24 months and prior to the completion of that period, all specials must undertake and pass a physical fitness test as set by Gloucestershire Constabulary. In order to pass the probation period a Special Constable must complete a Personal Development Portfolio (PDP) in order to be deemed competent in all relevant areas of policing. Any completion of probation period is subject to a fully completed and authorised PDP.

What are we looking for in you?

Gloucestershire Constabulary is fully committed to reducing crime and disorder and promoting safety and reassurance in Gloucestershire. A comprehensive strategy outlines our plans to become the most operationally effective Police Force in the country.
 
In order to meet this challenge we need to recruit workers who show commitment, integrity and innovation, in turn we will develop your skills and talents to meet your full potential.

If you have answered yes to these then you are the sort of person we are looking for ...

As you will be representing Gloucestershire Constabulary you must be prepared to follow the same rules of conduct as a regular police officer. As part of the application process you will have to tell us of any convictions or cautions that you might have received, although depending on the nature of these they may not necessarily prevent you from becoming a Special Constable.

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

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.