What you could be doing | Special Constables
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO USE YOUR SPARE TIME TO HELP FIGHT CRIME
Special Constabulary
Make a real difference in your community without giving up your day job by joining the Special Constabulary. As a Special Constable, you will gain vital policing experience, protect local neighbourhoods, and boost public confidence alongside full-time officers.
The Commitment
- 16 hours per month
- Fully flexible to fit your lifestyle
Your Impact
- Support local teams alongside regular officers and PCSOs
- Reduce crime through high-visibility community patrols
- Respond to incidents and detect criminal activity
The Training
- 20-week course split across weekends (Please note this is being looked at for the February intake)
- Blended learning mixing self-study with practical sessions
- Location: Derbyshire Constabulary Training Centre, Ripley
Want to do something truly meaningful with your spare time?
Becoming a Special Constable in Derbyshire lets you protect your community while discovering exactly what you are capable of. It is an incredible way to break out of your daily routine, meet amazing people, and face exciting new challenges. Plus, the hands-on experience and skills you will pick up look fantastic on a CV, giving you a massive edge in your day-to-day career.
This isn’t a shadowing or observer role. Specials are operational. You’ll be trusted to handle real incidents, make decisions under pressure, and be the calm, clear voice when someone dials 999.
Depending on where you’re based and what’s happening that day, your shift might involve:
- Responding to emergency calls -- anything from a burglary in progress to a domestic incident or missing person
- Attending road traffic collisions -- helping control scenes, support victims, and assist with investigations
- Arresting suspects -- using your powers and judgement to protect the public and uphold the law
- Patrolling on foot or in a police vehicle -- offering visibility, reassurance, and deterrence
- Investigating crime --, collecting evidence, and supporting case files
- Working with neighbourhood teams -- building relationships and problem-solving in communities
- Supporting safeguarding work -- engaging with vulnerable people, reporting concerns, and protecting those at risk
- Taking part in proactive operations -- targeting known offenders, assisting with warrants, or supporting road safety campaigns
What do you need?
All applicants must be a UK Citizen, EU Citizen with EU Settled Status, a Commonwealth Citizen or Foreign National with no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom. Whether or not you were born in the United Kingdom, you should have lived here for the three years immediately preceding your application.
You must also be 17½ years of age or above on the date of submitting your application.
You’ll need to undergo a medical assessment to make sure you’re healthy enough for the intense training required. Your application will be rejected if you fail to meet the minimum acceptable medical standard for entry. The assessment will generally be carried out by our Occupational Health Team, who will eyesight, colour vision, lung function and hearing. You will also be asked to complete a confidential medical history questionnaire. Depending on your medical history, we may have to contact your GP/specialist for further information. Once you’ve been declared medically fit, we’ll progress your application to the next stage.
You’ll need to pass a Job-Related Fitness Test (JRFT9) to check your fitness levels. This test determines whether you’re fit for the job and ready for Officer Safety Training, where you’ll learn to protect yourself and others. You’ll also be asked to take a running test (known as a multi-stage shuttle run or bleep test) to level 5:4.
A full UK/EU valid manual driving licence is not required.
You must declare any previous spent and unspent convictions and have a basic background check to get Security Check level clearance.
Please watch this vetting video from West Midlands Police for more information: Vetting stage of selection process - info for candidates (youtube.com)
We are often asked about specific medical conditions. All assessments are considered on an individual basis, so it is not always possible to give a definitive answer in advance. For example:
- Having epilepsy does not automatically prevent you from joining the police force. If your condition is stable, well managed, and you have been seizure-free for at least 12 months before your start date, you may still be eligible to apply. However, reasonable adjustments or restrictions may be required under the Equality Act to ensure your safety, which is our priority. Your case may be reviewed by a fit to proceed panel, particularly as the role requires you to hold a full manual driving licence and meet DVLA Group 1 medical standards for non-response driving whilst on duty.
- Colour vision deficiency will be assessed on an individual basis by Occupational Health team and this may impact or restrict an individual’s ability to join, depending on operational requirements and whether any reasonable adjustments can be accommodated, this may be reviewed by a fit to proceed panel.
The force has a strict absence policy, allowing no more than nine days of sickness or more than three separate instances of absence within the previous 12 months.
What skills are required?
It takes a special kind of person to be a Special Constable. These are everyday people with the extraordinary drive to protect Derbyshire in their spare time. You do not need a background in policing to apply, but you do need solid life experience and a genuine desire to make your neighbourhood safer.
What we are looking for:
- Quick thinker: React fast, adapt on the fly, and always back your teammates.
- Cool under pressure: Stay calm when a crisis hits and handle the unexpected.
- Great listener: Connect with people easily and communicate clearly.
- Natural mediator: Defuse tense situations with sensitivity, fairness, and absolute respect.
- Self-starter: Take the initiative, plan ahead, and make smart decisions.
- Team player: Work well with others while staying honest and impartial
What may hold you back?
You cannot apply if you:
- Have had an application turned down by a police force in the last three months at any stage of the national process. The national process includes National Sift, National Online Assessment, National Interview, fitness test and pre-employment checks.
- Have been or are a member of a group or extreme political organisation such as BNP, National Front or Combat 18 that stirs up racial hatred and violence, a proscribed terrorist organisation/group or a similar organisation.
- Are waiting to appear in court or have any serious convictions or recent cautions, bind-overs or findings of guilt.
- Misuse drugs, solvents or anabolic steroids. But each case is considered upon its own merits.
- Have tattoos on your face, neck or hands that could cause offence. If you have a tattoo, you’ll be asked to provide a description and photographs of the tattoo. The nature, location, size, prominence and appearance of tattoos will be considered.
- Have any current County Court Judgements (CCJs) against you or are the subject of an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA). If you’ve been registered bankrupt, you may only apply if it is at least three years since the date your debts were discharged.
Investing in your development
Initial training programme
Initial training programme
As a Special Constable your time spent on training will be an invaluable experience building upon the skills and abilities you already possess. You’ll also develop new skills and abilities to enable you to deal with the wide variety of incidents that you may come into contact with.
All recruits must complete the Initial Training Programme, which includes first aid and self-defence. You’ll be fully supported and assessed while being developed in this new area of your life.
Training will last for approximately 20 weeks across weekends, there is limited TEAMS learning. To find out more information about what training looks like, please click here.
The attestation
The attestation
Throughout your training, you’ll have gained valuable experience and life skills, your confidence will be raised to new levels. You’ll be invited to attend an Attestation at the Magistrates Court to swear the oath of a constable. This will happen during your first month of training. You’ll also receive your warrant card.
Once you have completed your training, you will be invited to a celebration evening. During this event, you will receive your course certificate. You can invite your family and friends who have supported you throughout your course.
Employer support
Employer support
There is a scheme called ‘Employer Supported Policing (ESP)’ and this means that some employers can give paid time off to staff to volunteer. This is usually 4-8 hours per month so it’s useful when wanting to either complete more than 16 hours or, ensuring you can reach the 16 hours. The life skills you will acquire or develop are transferable into your professional discipline.
Continuous further development
Continuous further development
There are specialist departments in our organisation and you may consider an attachment to one of these in order to enhance your skills. Continuous development is important in the police service and you will be given opportunities to enhance the skills you wish to develop.
Expenses and Support
Expenses and Support
You won’t be paid for your time, but you will receive:
- Full training and uniform
- Reimbursement for travel and duty-related expenses
- Access to ongoing development opportunities
- Support from experienced officers and supervisors
Meet some of our Specials
Robert Jones, Special Sergeant
I work in the civil aerospace business, but also wanted to volunteer for an organisation where I could make a difference to the communities we serve. One of the privileges of volunteering with Derbyshire Constabulary is the opportunity see a world that many people don't. There really is nothing better than the feeling you get from doing something that makes someone else’s life that little bit better.
I’ve been involved in complex investigations and responded to incidents right across the county, and the support I’ve received has been brilliant. Derbyshire Constabulary is full of professionals who are passionate about making a difference. Friendship, camaraderie and teamwork - you’ll find all of this, and more, here.
David Holmes, Special Sergeant
Some friends who already worked here recommended Derbyshire Constabulary to me, so I attended an open night back in 2016 and knew straight away it was for me. I’ve had some amazing experiences and some truly profound moments since joining. Most notably, I was deployed on the Whaley Bridge Dam incident where I had to help maintain an exclusion zone to prevent loss of life. My role is very much what you make of it. There’s a really family spirit here and a ‘one team’ ethos permeates through ‘the job’. I feel a huge sense of pride to be a part of something so important.
Gurdeep Rehal, Special Constable
My ‘day job’ is actually dental surgeon, but I’d been interested in becoming a ‘Special’ for many years, so I volunteered back in 2004. Following my initial training I was ready to assist front line colleagues and have since dealt with so many things I would never have come across in my previous day-to-day life.
It sounds very clichéd but, the team is friendly, people are approachable and no two days are the same. Everyone looks out for each other too. It’s like working with family. Derbyshire invests heavily in training and everyone is encouraged to say what specific training they need to be able to carry out their role.
