Volunteer Special Constable
Do something different after your day job. Join us as a volunteer police officer.
If you’re ready to find out more about becoming a Special Constable, sign up to our upcoming, online information event: Wednesday 27th March 6:00 – 7:30pm
Shake up your routine, learn new skills and make a difference in your local community.
What is a Special Constable?
Special Constables are volunteer, warranted Police Officers who play a key role in helping us to keep people safe and to fight crime.
Our 100+ Northumbria Specials have the same uniform and powers as their regular Officer colleagues and deal with the same types of incidents. Our invaluable volunteers help to build links between policing and the communities in which they live, work and serve and form an integral part of British policing.
Applications to join us as a Special Constable are open year-round and we are always looking for individuals to join us as a volunteer at TeamNP. Training courses are currently scheduled for August 2024.
Shake up your routine, learn new skills and make a difference in your local community.
Special Constables are volunteer, warranted Police Officers who play a key role in helping us to keep people safe and to fight crime.
Our 100+ Northumbria Specials have the same uniform and powers as their regular Officer colleagues and deal with the same types of incidents. Our invaluable volunteers help to build links between policing and the communities in which they live, work and serve and form an integral part of British policing.
Applications to join us as a Special Constable are open year-round and we are always looking for individuals to join us as a volunteer at TeamNP. Training courses are currently scheduled for January 2024.
What could I be doing on an average shift as a Special Constable?
Volunteering as a Special Constable offers plenty of variety. It is a chance to mix it up from your day job and experience a unique volunteering opportunity. You could find yourself:
- responding to 999 calls
- foot and vehicle patrols
- tackling antisocial behaviour
- road safety initiatives
- house-to-house enquiries
- helping ensure public safety and security at both local and major events
- presenting evidence in court
- taking part in ‘hotspot’ operations to tackle underage drinking, criminal damage, and nuisance and public disorder
- offering crime prevention advice
Besides volunteering alongside officers in our Response and Neighbourhood teams, more experienced Specials also have the opportunity to join our Traffic team, helping to keep our roads safe and tackle dangerous drivers.
How will you take care of my wellbeing as a volunteer?
We invest in a whole host of wellbeing measures to make sure you’re safe, healthy and supported while you’re volunteering for us. Our 24/7 employee assistance line gives you access to welfare counselling, our mental health first aiders are on-hand to offer immediate support and our award-winning trauma team are available if you’ve attended an incident of a distressing nature or faced an assault whilst on duty. Meanwhile our range of staff support associations – from the AccessABILITY association to our LGBT+ association are here to support and represent your needs, beliefs and values.
What skills do I need to join?
We are looking for much of the same personal qualities in Specials Constables that we look for in regular Police Officers – integrity, honesty, tact and communication skills. We are looking for individuals who thrive on variety, extensive public contact and a high level of personal responsibility. Make sure to read our full eligibility criteria before you apply.
About the Special Constabulary
Benefits
We want to get the most out of the time you volunteer at TeamNP. As a Special Constable, you’ll have access to many of our force benefits including in-station gyms, access to our employee assistance programme and discounted travel. Find out more about benefits and reasons to volunteer at TeamNP.
Sports & social clubs
From boxing to basketball, there are plenty of teams and clubs for you to join and be a part of the thriving sports scene at Northumbria Police. As part of your membership, you’ll also get access to the NP gyms located at a number of our stations.
Employee assistance
Our EAP gives you and your immediate family 24/7 access to a team of trained wellbeing and counselling advisers. The support they offer is confidential, independent and unbiased, and covers both personal and professional issues.
Blue Light card
Providing members with 1000s of amazing discounts online and on the high street from large national retailers to local businesses. Sign up for just £4.99 for two years’ membership.
Discounted Travel
Free travel on the Tyne and Wear Metro network and other local services when you have successfully achieved Directed Patrol Status (signed off as Independent). T&Cs apply.
Police Federation
As a Special Constable you’ll have the opportunity to join the Police Federation of England & Wales (PFEW).
Benefits
We want to get the most out of the time you volunteer at TeamNP. As a Special Constable, you’ll have access to many of our force benefits including in-station gyms, access to our employee assistance programme and discounted travel.
Sports & social clubs
Employee assistance programme
Blue light card
Discounted travel
Police Federation
What you need to know before you apply
What you need to know before you apply
Frequently asked questions
Join an information event and become a Special Constable with #TeamNP
Ready to find out more about becoming a Special Constable? Join one of our information events where you can learn much more about being a Special Constable. You’ll get to meet some of our current serving colleagues, our training sergeant and recruitment team. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and find out more!
Upcoming event: Wednesday 27th March 6:00 – 7:30pm
Click on the button below to “sign up”, and you’ll be contacted with an invite to our next information event.