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Recruitment lines for the Special Constabulary are now open.
Special constables are volunteer police officers. They have the same police powers, uniforms and equipment as regular police officers but give up their free time on a voluntary basis, balancing their busy personal lives, family, day jobs and other commitments around police duties. They do not get paid, but are reimbursed for expenses.
A special in Suffolk is someone who will be valued, supported and integrated into the wider policing family. They’re someone who will learn new skills, see new things and make real differences to the lives of the public they proudly serve. A special in Suffolk is someone who makes new friends, sees life from new perspectives and upholds the law. A special is someone who is proud to serve their county.
The Special Constabulary ‘Foundation’ Learning and Development Programme has been created to provide an up to date training delivery for individuals who successfully pass the Suffolk Special Constabulary recruitment process.
The training course is held over a 14-week period, using a combination of online learning and tutorials, self study and attendance at police headquarters.
Attendance at police headquarters will be on selected weekend days from 8.30am to 5.30pm. Evening tutorials will be on either a Wednesday or Thursday evening between 7pm and 9pm.
Students will be assessed throughout the course through knowledge checks, written tests and practical assessments.
In order to be offered a place on the Special Constabulary Foundation Learning and Development Programme, all applicants will need to have successfully completed the following:
Full details on each element will be provided at each stage.
Please download an application form (at the bottom of this page) and submit to it us via email once complete.
If you have any questions or queries, please email us with these too.
Please ensure you also read the application guidance.
For current information about the Special Constabulary events, please contact the Specials and Volunteers Team.
If you have 2+ years special constable experience as an independent officer, you will be able to join as a police officer via the PCDA route. Your experience will be used in place of the usual requirement for Level 3 qualifications, so you will only need to have your Maths and English Level 2s (Functional Skills/GCSEs) and experience in the specials to apply.
A special constable in Suffolk is an extraordinary person, a remarkable person, a special person, a person proud to serve Suffolk. Join us and be that person.
Check out the videos on the links below to find out more about the Suffolk Special Constabulary.
We accept transferees from other forces throughout the year. You do not need to have independent status, but you will be required to go through a training needs analysis with our Citizens in Policing trainer, after the required pre-employment checks (vetting, medical and references) have been completed.
In the first instance, please email our specials team and an initial meeting will be set up to discuss your experiences in policing.
The Special Constabulary is a voluntary body, whose officers form a vital part of the police family to assist their regular colleagues to police the communities of Suffolk. Specials come from all walks of life and are valued members of our organisation, who give up some of their spare time to help us keep the county safe.
Specials perform a variety of police duties to support regular officers with the day-to-day policing of Suffolk. This could involve foot and vehicle patrols, being part of the immediate response team or assisting with police operations.
Suffolk Special Constabulary also have a number of specialist areas, which independent officers can apply to become part of. These include roads policing, rural crime, warrants and cyber crime. Additional training is provided if you are successful in obtaining one of these positions.
You must complete at least 16 hours of service per month. Your hours will be flexible and you can arrange them according to your personal, home and work commitments. However, in an operational emergency, we may call you out for duty.
The more hours you put in, the more you will get back and the quicker your confidence will grow. Many specials do far more than the minimum required and there is no restriction. We will, however, discourage you from letting your work as a special take over your life.
You can expect to be based at the nearest police station to your home, but you may have to travel to another station for training.
Specials have the same powers as regular officers, wear an almost identical uniform, carry the same equipment and receive the same training as their regular officers.
The Special Constabulary comes under the operational command of regular senior officers, but has its own rank structure as follows:
Employers Supported Policing scheme
Our Employer Supported Policing (ESP) scheme is an initiative that encourages businesses and police to work together to support their staff to become special constables.
This national scheme is already proving successful bringing numerous benefits to employers, employees and the local community.
Businesses on board in Suffolk are: BT/Open Reach, AXA, Willis, Forestry Commission, Waveney and Suffolk Coastal District Councils, Network Rail, Adnams and British Gas.
We are keen to strengthen links and work in partnership with local businesses.
Here is how you can support the scheme:
Benefits to employers:
To be a special constable you must be:
There are no height restrictions but you do have to meet our vision standards. When you apply, you will receive a form that you will need to take to a qualified optician for completion and return.
Due to legal restrictions on certain professions serving as special constables, you must not be:
If you are employed in any occupation with client privilege or are a member of the medical and health professions, you may apply but your application will be have to meet both your employer's and the chief constable's approval. There are other employment restrictions.
If you would like further information about the specials, please email the specials team or check out the College of Policing website.
As a special constable you will work closely with regular officers in serving the community. This is a great opportunity for you to meet people from all walks of life and gain experience in wide range of policing duties.
You will be presented with constant challenges and opportunities to develop your skills and you will also receive excellent training - both initially and during your first year of service.
In your first year you will complete the Special Constabulary Foundation Learning Programme and then receive ongoing training on a monthly basis.
There will also be ongoing training available to you on new legislation, conflict management and other key skills, which will also support you in your full-time employment and personal development.
If you volunteer as a special you receive no pay, as it is a voluntary service. However, you can claim mileage expenses or the cost of travel to and from duty. You can also claim out-of-pocket expenses and/or subsistence whilst on duty. You may also be entitled to a boot allowance if you serve a certain number of hours.
If you lose work pay due to having to attend court to give evidence, we will reimburse you. Sickness benefits will also be paid to you if you are injured on duty.
You will be provided with a free uniform that is virtually identical to that of a regular officer. Your uniform will remain the property of Suffolk Constabulary. We will also issue you with handcuffs, a baton, and CS spray after you have been trained in how to use this equipment and hold the necessary certificates.
Speak to anyone serving as a special and they will tell you that they achieve a real sense of satisfaction from their work - particularly after an incident where their work has had an impact on people. They also find their confidence and self-esteem improves and that they find a great deal of pleasure and a sense of pride in helping others.
If you would like further information about the role or would like to obtain an application pack, please email the specials team.
Please note: some or all of these documents may not be suitable for use with assistive technologies. Contact us by email if you require information in an alternative format.