Eligibility criteria

There are no minimum academic qualifications required to become a Special Constable. However, all Special Constables should have a good foundation in Maths and English Language, both written and spoken, due to the nature of policing and the legal requirements of the role.

You must be over the age of 18 at point of application to become a Special Constable. There is no upper age.  

Being a Special Constable is a volunteer role so we need to ensure that this does not cause a conflict of interest with your paid employment. People working in Security, have designated powers or require a license (such as alcohol or gambling) from the police are unable to become special constables along with anyone who’s business could be perceived as benefiting from you being a special constable. Please email the team for more specific information.

Certain convictions and cautions will lead to automatic rejection unless there are exceptional circumstances.  In particular:

• Violence
• Dishonesty
• Drugs
• Serious driving offences (including drink driving).

We will consider convictions, cautions, reprimands, warnings and fixed penalty notices on a case-by-case basis.  Whether an application passes depends the nature and circumstances of the offence.

Police checks and security vetting are carried out on you and your immediate family.  The security service will also carry out checks to verify you identity and background.

If appointed you must be prepared to have your DNA and fingerprints taken to be searched against the national databases and to be stored on the police elimination database. Police Regulations state that prior to appointment applicants must have their DNA and fingerprints taken for the purposes of a speculative search to ascertain if they have previously come to police attention or if the applicant is linked to any outstanding crime scenes or marks. Failure to consent to this will result in your appointment to the police service not being progressed.

Applicants are not required to hold a full or provisional UK driving licence. However as you progress as a Special Constable you may find yourself limited in certain areas you can volunteer if you are unable to drive vehicles.

The standard you need to meet either with or without spectacles or contact lenses is:

Distance vision

• 6/12 or better with either your right or left eye
• 6/6 with both eyes together

Near vision

• 6/9 with both eyes together [aided].

Colour vision

The use of colour correcting lenses is not acceptable. Severe colour vision deficiencies (monochromacy) are not acceptable. Mild anomalous trichromacy is acceptable. Severe anomalous dichromacy or trichromacy is also acceptable but you will need to be aware of the deficiency and make appropriate adjustments.

You will have your financial status checked.  You must not have any wilfully undischarged debts (for example county court judgements or bankruptcy).  This does not include mortgages, hire purchase, student loans or other loans that you are paying off normally.

Your application will be rejected if you have an active County Court Judgement (CCJ) or Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA).  If you have been declared bankrupt you will not be eligible to apply until 3 years from the date of the Certificate of Satisfaction.  If you have discharged bankruptcy debts you will need to provide a Certificate of Satisfaction.

What does the fitness test consist of?

Candidates are required to complete a 15m multi-stage shuttle run (bleep test) to level 5.4 (3 minutes and 40 secs).

The bleep test includes a warm up to level 3 (1 min 30 secs), followed by stretching. 

Candidates are entitled to three attempts to pass the test, after an agreed time period for training and improvement, depending upon level of fitness/strength.  This will be agreed by the candidate and the trainer. If a candidate fails at the third attempt they are rejected from the process.

Successful applicants will be required to complete a medical health questionnaire and undertake a medical examination. Failure to meet the medical standards as determined by the Home Office will result in an applicant not being appointed.

We won't accept applications from anyone who is, or has been, a member of the British National Party, Combat 18, National Front or similar organisation.

You will be eligible if you are a British citizen, you are an European Economic Area (EEA) citizen, or a Swiss national.

If you're from outside the EEA, it's essential that you have leave to enter or to remain in the UK for an indefinite period.

You will also need a UK residence card or be able to prove your right to work in the UK as an EU citizen, for example, a valid UK National Insurance number, and are free from restrictions.

You may apply to more than one Force at a time. Your application will not be accepted if you have previously applied unsuccessfully, in the last six months, to another police force/service in England and Wales that requires candidates to undertake the Police SEARCH Recruit Assessment Centre.

To meet the minimum requirement for vetting you must have lived in the UK for the three years prior to the date of your application. 

The exception to this is where you are HMG or British Military Personnel who has served abroad or where you have been overseas as the spouse, partner or dependent of a member of the armed forces posted overseas.

There may also be an exception where a significant period of time overseas (normally up to one year), without returning to the UK but intending to return in the future will be acceptable, such as:

• A gap year or similar before or following university
• Travelled for a year
• Spent time overseas visiting family

This is not an exhaustive list. Please get in touch with us if you think this may apply to you.

If you are currently using any illegal drugs, this will rule you out of the recruitment process automatically. Police Regulations state that you must be tested for substance misuse. Failure to provide a sample will result in your application being terminated.

We assess all tattoos and piercings before your application is progressed.  Tattoos may preclude you from being recruited, depending on their content and position.

Visible tattoos and other visible body markings are unacceptable if they could reasonably be interpreted as:

• Discriminatory, offensive, obscene, indicate attitudes or views (eg. Misogynistic) inconsistent with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Behaviour.

Careful consideration will be given to any tattoo on the neck, face and / or hands in deciding if it is acceptable.  This includes considering the size, nature and prominence of the tattoo.

Facial studs, including tongue studs and pins cannot be worn. Any cultural or religious reasons for needing to wear facial jewellery should be brought to the attention of the recruitment team at the application stage.