How to Become a Special Constable

Our recruitment process is now streamlined meaning that there’s never been a better time to apply to become a Special Constable.

Application Form

Click 'register your interest' and complete our online application form to begin your journey to becoming a Special Constable today.

30 minute telephone interview

Once you have submitted your application form one of our dedicated Specials recruitment team will contact you to arrange a telephone based interview and will provide you with details on the interview content.

Assessment centre

The next step is the assessment centre which will involve the below:

1. 1. Observation exercise:
   

   A relaxed group exercise assessing your interaction with other candidates.

2. 2. Written test:

   You will be given four witness statements to read regarding an incident. Using the information provided within the statements you will have to complete an incident report form and write an account capturing key information and any details you believe to be relevant.

3. 3. Face to face motivations and values interview

   This will last 20 minutes and consists of 4 questions. This interview has been designed to test your motivations and values relevant to the role you have applied for.

4. 4. DNA and biometrics
   
   
5. 5. Identification and verification:

   You will need to bring two forms of identification (ID) with you, one of which must be photographic ID, such as a passport or driving licence.

Submission of required paperwork

You will need to bring your completed documents as advised in your invitation to assessment centre.

Training

New Specials will take part in a 12 week blended learning programme.

• To become a Special Constable, you will need to be successful in our recruitment process. The following information will help you work out if you are eligible and will explain the recruitment process. If you have any further questions please email SpecialsRecruitment@herts.pnn.police.uk
• You must be aged over 18 to join the police service
• You must meet our entry requirements (please click here for 'Am I eligible')
• You must be available to attend all of the stages of the recruitment process
• You must be able to commit to a minimum of 16 hours a month

Our dedicated recruitment officers can answer any questions you may have and offer any support you need throughout the process. A telephone interview will be arranged at your convenience. The interview will take around 30 minutes. It will include a series of questions about your skills and experience within four areas of competency.

If you are successful at interview, your dedicated recruitment officer will book you a place on an assessment centre and advise you of what documents you will need to bring on the day.

The police service is committed to maintaining the highest levels of honesty and integrity and to preventing corrupt, dishonest, unethical or unprofessional behaviour. Vetting helps support this, reducing the risks of unauthorised disclosure or loss of sensitive police information.

Public confidence in the police is crucial, particularly as we "police by consent." Public confidence in policing depends on officers, staff, Specials and volunteers demonstrating the highest standards of personal and professional behaviour.

The public must have confidence that police vetting processes are effective in identifying those who might pose a risk to the community. The police service must also be alive to the threat from organised crime groups and others who might try to gain access to police systems and intelligence.

Vetting helps identify people who are unsuitable to work in the police service. This includes those who are unsuitable through criminal activity or association, those who have a clear lack of honesty and those who are financially vulnerable.

Vetting helps us to maintain a healthy organisation.

Please note the following is provided as guidance; any successful application is assessed on a case by case basis and is subject to an individual successfully passing vetting.

The Chief Constable reserves the right to reject any application.

You will be expected to detail all convictions and cautions (including those spent). Police National Computer (PNC) records will be checked and any omissions could affect the outcome of the vetting process. This will be reviewed on a case by case basis. This information will NOT be divulged to your family or employer. For more information please visit the home office guidance on recruitment: click here to view on the www.gov.uk website.

Applicants who are employed in the following roles will not be eligible for selection:

• Armed Forces Personnel
• Traffic Wardens, civil enforcement officers and school crossing patrols
• Neighbourhood and Street Wardens
• Highways Agency Traffic Officers employed in an 'on-road' capacity
• PCSOs
• Members of private constabularies
• Ministry of Justice employees (Magistrates, Judges, Clerks, CPS)
• Immigration Officers

All applicants need to have resided permanently in the UK for a minimum of three years prior to applying, with indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Applicants will have their financial status checked. Police officers are in a privileged position and could therefore be considered potentially vulnerable to corruption. Applicants who have existing County Court Judgements outstanding against them or who have been registered bankrupt and these debts have not been discharged will not be considered.

You will be asked to run between two points 15 metres apart, in time with a series of bleeps. The timing between bleeps is slow at first but the bleep becomes faster as the test progresses. You will be given full instructions on the day of the test and can make sure you’re prepared by watching the fitness test explained.

This is a face-to-face, group exercise focusing on the competencies associated with the role of the Special Constable.

For biometric vetting we will take a sample of your fingerprints and a DNA sample (mouth swab), then checks will be made against the appropriate databases. We search to determine whether you have come to police attention or associated with a crime.

We will verify your identification on the day and take photocopies to accompany your baseline vetting form. Further vetting forms will be sent to successful candidates following the assessment centre. You will be asked to supply an email address so that our vetting officer can forward you the necessary links in order to complete a comprehensive vetting form.

New Specials will take part in a 12 week blended learning programme. Blended learning will involve webinar learning sessions that can be accessed via PC and/or tablets as well as classroom based practical lessons (evenings and weekends) which will allow for consolidation of knowledge. You will be encouraged to self-learn and be directed to a portal of interactive learning materials which will include audio notes and electronic student notes.

Specials also undertake 6 consecutive days of training, which includes Officer Safety Training with police equipment, role plays and practical use of law knowledge.