Become a Special Constable

Before you apply to become a Special Constable you should fully understand what the role involves and be aware of the application process. Find out more below.

Special Constable on patrol

Understanding the role

Special Constables are volunteer Police Officers who play in important role in our mission to keep people safe and fight crime. By doing more with your free time, you can make a real difference to the place you call home.

It’s much more than patrolling the streets, you’ll have the same powers as a regular police officer and will encounter circumstances that you will not previously have been exposed to.

We’re looking for individuals from all backgrounds to become a Special Constable. You’ll need to earn trust, gain respect and build positive relationships within your local community.

The best way to understand what’s involved in being an officer at #TeamNP is to join one of our online information events.

What you need to know before you apply

You must be able to cope with the physical demands of the job. You don’t need to be able to run a marathon; however you do need to be able to maintain a level of health and fitness throughout your career, which will be tested during the pre-employment stage and at periodic intervals throughout your Special Constable career.

If you take regular exercise such as walking, swimming or jogging then you should have no problem with achieving and maintaining the required level of fitness. If you have concerns about your level of fitness you should take steps to start improving this (please check with your doctor before making any big changes to your fitness regime and lifestyle).

Remember that fitness and health are pivotal aspects of a career in the police service. You are therefore required to reflect on your daily habits and routines and aim at constantly improving your overall health and fitness. This is not just an entry requirement, it is a commitment you must maintain throughout your career and one for which you are expected to take full personal responsibility.

Northumbria Police requires a minimum commitment of 200 hours per annum. This includes time spent performing duties and undertaking training. Whilst this equates to around 4 hours a week, you will get most benefit from the role if you are able to work a full shift with your regular officer colleagues and if you can attend at times when demand for policing services is at its highest.

Our peak times are evenings/nights and weekends, bank holidays and key events in the sporting calendar. You should give careful consideration as to how this will fit your lifestyle and around any work/family/social commitments. If you are able to align with a regular shift and support them during their busy times then both you and the organisation will achieve most benefit from the role.

As a Special Constable you will have the same powers as regular Northumbria Police Officers. You will be provided with a thorough training package which covers the many aspects of police work you will carry out.

Special Constables receive 144 hours of taught classroom based training and are expected to complete additional home study. The training will be held over an 18 week period made up of Saturdays (8am-4pm), Thursdays (6pm to 8pm/10pm) and some Sundays. The programme involves 2 exams which you will be required to pass so you should build in study time for this.

The training courses includes, but is not limited to:

  • Professional Standards
  • Self Defence
  • First Aid
  • ICT
  • Legislation
  • Powers, Policies and Procedures

It is important to ensure that you can commit to this training when considering if this is a real volunteer role for you. Professional development and training will continue whilst volunteering with Northumbria Police as a Special Constable.

Our in-house Positive Action team is on hand to offer support, whether you’re considering an application or are already going through the recruitment process. They’re here to help those from under-represented groups, including those from ethnic minority communities or those with a disability.

The team will work with you to understand any barriers you believe you face to joining our force. You’ll also be invited to sign up for a workshop to dispel common myths about policing, give you a good idea of what to expect from the job and the recruitment process and help you feel confident to apply.

To help you prepare for the role you can get in touch with our Positive Action team by emailing positiveaction@northumbria.police.uk.

It is important that Northumbria Police represent the communities we serve. We celebrate the benefits of having diverse thinkers within our organisation, including those with a disability or a neurodiverse condition. However, whilst having a disability does not automatically exclude you from applying to become a Special Constable, it is important to read our eligibility requirement prior to applying.  

We are happy to provide any adjustments that might support you through the application process. To discuss the support available to you throughout the application process please email the positive action mailbox.

What you need to know before you apply

You must be able to cope with the physical demands of the job. You don’t need to be able to run a marathon; however you do need to be able to maintain a level of health and fitness throughout your career, which will be tested during the pre-employment stage and at periodic intervals throughout your Special Constable career.

If you take regular exercise such as walking, swimming or jogging then you should have no problem with achieving and maintaining the required level of fitness. If you have concerns about your level of fitness you should take steps to start improving this (please check with your doctor before making any big changes to your fitness regime and lifestyle).

Remember that fitness and health are pivotal aspects of a career in the police service. You are therefore required to reflect on your daily habits and routines and aim at constantly improving your overall health and fitness. This is not just an entry requirement, it is a commitment you must maintain throughout your career and one for which you are expected to take full personal responsibility.

Northumbria Police requires a minimum commitment of 200 hours per annum. This includes time spent performing duties and undertaking training. Whilst this equates to around 4 hours a week, you will get most benefit from the role if you are able to work a full shift with your regular officer colleagues and if you can attend at times when demand for policing services is at its highest.

Our peak times are evenings/nights and weekends, bank holidays and key events in the sporting calendar. You should give careful consideration as to how this will fit your lifestyle and around any work/family/social commitments. If you are able to align with a regular shift and support them during their busy times then both you and the organisation will achieve most benefit from the role.

As a Special Constable you will have the same powers as regular Northumbria Police Officers. You will be provided with a thorough training package which covers the many aspects of police work you will carry out.

Special Constables receive 144 hours of taught classroom based training and are expected to complete additional home study. The training will be held over an 18 week period made up of Saturdays (8am-4pm), Thursdays (6pm to 8pm/10pm) and some Sundays. The programme involves 2 exams which you will be required to pass so you should build in study time for this.

The training courses includes, but is not limited to:

  • Professional Standards
  • Self Defence
  • First Aid
  • ICT
  • Legislation
  • Powers, Policies and Procedures

It is important to ensure that you can commit to this training when considering if this is a real volunteer role for you. Professional development and training will continue whilst volunteering with Northumbria Police as a Special Constable.

Our in-house Positive Action team is on hand to offer support, whether you’re considering an application or are already going through the recruitment process. They’re here to help those from under-represented groups, including those from ethnic minority communities or those with a disability.

The team will work with you to understand any barriers you believe you face to joining our force. You’ll also be invited to sign up for a workshop to dispel common myths about policing, give you a good idea of what to expect from the job and the recruitment process and help you feel confident to apply.

To help you prepare for the role you can get in touch with our Positive Action team by emailing positiveaction@northumbria.police.uk.

It is important that Northumbria Police represent the communities we serve. We celebrate the benefits of having diverse thinkers within our organisation, including those with a disability or a neurodiverse condition. However, whilst having a disability does not automatically exclude you from applying to become a Special Constable, it is important to read our eligibility requirement prior to applying.  

We are happy to provide any adjustments that might support you through the application process. To discuss the support available to you throughout the application process please email the positive action mailbox.

Application process: become a special constable

1. Engagement Event

If you’re looking to become a Special Constable you’ll need to register your interest in attending one of our mandatory engagement events. This will give you all of the information you need about the role, eligibility requirements and opportunities with #teamnp to guide you in your decision to apply.

Sign up to the next event here.

2. Application Form

This is where you share with us your personal and professional information, as well as any other relevant details.

3. National Sift

This is a national-level process where you will complete two online situational judgment tests and a behavioural style questionnaire.

4. Interview

This is where we delve into the current topic areas that are important to Northumbria Police and find out about you in more detail.

5. Conditional Offer

Congratulations you have passed all of the stages of the recruitment process, this is when we will ask you for some extra information so we can commence the pre-employment checks.

6. Pre-Employment Checks

These checks include a fitness test, references, a medical examination, vetting checks, biometric and fingerprint analysis and we will also organise your uniform fitting.

7. Final Offer

This is when we will discuss your start date with Northumbria Police and welcome you as a Student Special Constable. You are ready to start your volunteering career with #teamnp.

Congratulations! Welcome to TeamNP.

Congratulations, you’ve successfully completed application process to become a Special Constable and are now a member of our volunteer TeamNP policing family. Your journey in your new career starts here.

Check your eligibility

Whilst we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, there are some eligibility conditions you need to meet.

Check your eligibility
Ready to find out more? Register your interest today

Before you apply to become a Special Constable, you’ll need to join one of our mandatory, online information events. Here, you’ll learn much more about life as a volunteer police officer. 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!

In the meantime, you can find out more about the application process, eligibility requirements, benefits, learning more about life as a volunteer at TeamNP.

Click on the button below to “sign up”, and you’ll be contacted with an invite to our next information event or, if you have any questions about becoming a volunteer police officer, you can contact our Talent Acquisition team.

Sign up