Police Scotland
Special Constable
Special constables in Scotland are volunteer officers with the same powers as full-time colleagues. This guide covers who can apply, the legal requirements, the entrance test, the 5.4 fitness test, vetting, training, the 96-hour commitment, expenses and how the role differs from England and Wales, from Police Scotland's own pages and the Scottish regulations.
Independent information, not advice · Sources checked 21 October 2026 · Scotland unless stated
Be 18 or over, have lived in the UK for at least three years, meet the eyesight standard and not work in a barred job such as security, licensed premises or the fire service. You do not need a driving licence or qualifications. Apply on Police Scotland's job portal, declare any convictions and tattoos, pass the Police Scotland Entrance Test and a 5.4 bleep test, then vetting. After initial training you are sworn in and give at least 96 hours a year. It is unpaid, with expenses.
Special constables in Scotland are recruited by Police Scotland under the Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013, not under the College of Policing's process for England and Wales. Everything here comes from Police Scotland's recruitment pages and those regulations, read on 21 October 2026. Where we rely on Police Scotland's 2016 special constabulary SOP, which it published under freedom of information, we say so, because it may be out of date.
Police Scotland special constables at a glance
| Point | What Police Scotland and the regulations say |
|---|---|
| Role | Volunteer police officer with the same powers and responsibilities as full-time officers |
| Minimum age | 18 (Police Scotland's page and regulation 5) |
| Retirement | At 60 under regulation 6, unless the chief constable postpones it |
| UK residence | At least three years |
| Driving licence | Not required |
| Qualifications | None stated; you pass the Police Scotland Entrance Test instead |
| Fitness standard | 15m bleep test to level 5.4 |
| Hours | A minimum of 96 hours a year |
| Pay | None. Expenses and allowances set under the 2013 regulations |
| How to apply | Create an account on Police Scotland's job portal and complete the application form |
The headline differences from England and Wales: Scotland uses its own entrance test rather than the National Sift, asks for 96 hours a year rather than about 16 hours a month and does not require a driving licence.
What a special constable does in Scotland
Police Scotland describes special constables as volunteers who work alongside full-time officers, with "the same powers and responsibilities" as their full-time colleagues. It lists patrolling neighbourhoods, helping prevent crime and policing major events among the duties and says the role is flexible enough to fit around work, family life and studies.
Police Scotland says it wants people from all backgrounds with commitment, common sense, good people skills, the ability to stay calm under pressure and a focus on the community. Those are the qualities to show in your application.
Specials are a visible part of the service. At Police Scotland's oath of office ceremonies on 15 January 2026, seven special constables made the declaration alongside the new full-time recruits.
Regulation 5 says no special constable appointment can be for a fixed term and you must be given notice of the terms and conditions of service. But there is no salary. See expenses and payments below and our full guide to whether special constables get paid.
Who can apply
Police Scotland's special constable page lists these eligibility requirements:
| Requirement | What Police Scotland says | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 or over | Police Scotland special constable page; regulation 5 |
| Fitness | Physically fit, with the 5.4 bleep test in the process | Special constable page and process page |
| Residence | Lived in the UK for at least three years | Special constable page |
| Eyesight | Meet the national eyesight standard (Police Scotland links its eyesight standard PDF) | Special constable page; regulation 5 |
| Nationality | British citizen, EU or EEA national, Commonwealth citizen, or a foreign national with no restrictions on their stay in the UK | Special constable page |
| Driving licence | Not required | Special constable page |
| Conflicting jobs | Some jobs rule you out (next section) | Special constable page |
Three points are worth checking before you start:
- No driving licence needed. This is one of the clearest differences from the regular officer role in Scotland, which requires a manual licence.
- No formal qualifications needed. Police Scotland does not list any. You show your literacy and numeracy by passing the entrance test.
- No upper age to apply is stated, but regulation 6 sets a retirement age of 60 for special constables, which the chief constable can postpone. If you are close to 60, ask the recruitment team how that would apply to you.
Police Scotland's special constable page also links to its list of offences that lead to rejection. For police officer applicants, that list includes serious offences, domestic abuse and stalking, any adult offence that led to prison, drink or drug driving, sex offender orders, more than 6 points on a licence and some financial matters such as an active trust deed. Read the list on Police Scotland's site before applying; our Police Scotland hub summarises it.
The legal requirements: regulation 5
Behind Police Scotland's list sits regulation 5 of the Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013, "Qualifications for appointment as a special constable". The current version on legislation.gov.uk requires a candidate to meet all of these:
| Requirement | What the regulation says, in plain English |
|---|---|
| Character references | Satisfactory references, plus evidence of good conduct if you have served in a police force, the armed forces, the civil service or as a seaman |
| Age | At least 18 |
| Health | Certified physically and mentally fit for the duties by a registered medical practitioner approved by the Scottish Police Authority |
| Eyesight | The standard set by the Scottish Ministers |
| Hearing | Any standard the Scottish Ministers set |
| Education | Pass an assessment, to a standard approved by the chief constable and the Scottish Ministers, showing sufficient education including written and spoken English and numeracy |
| Information | Give the chief constable details of current and past employment and anything else relevant to the appointment |
| Nationality | If you are neither a UK national nor an EEA national, you need indefinite leave to enter or remain |
| Terms | You must be given notice of the terms and conditions of service and no appointment can be for a fixed term |
The education requirement explains why every applicant sits the entrance test: the law asks for an assessment showing sufficient education, including written and spoken English and numeracy, rather than a set qualification.
Jobs you cannot hold as a special
Police Scotland's special constable page says you cannot hold or take these roles, citing conflicts of interest:
| Role | Reason given |
|---|---|
| Fire services | Conflict of interest |
| Security work | Conflict of interest |
| Private investigation | Conflict of interest |
| Managing or working in licensed premises or betting shops | Conflict of interest |
| Serving in HM forces | Listed as a role you cannot hold |
If your job is close to one of these (door supervision, a retained firefighter post, a bar job, a betting shop shift), raise it with the recruitment team before you apply. Regulation 4 of the 2013 regulations also deals with business interests and regulation 3 places restrictions on special constables' private lives, so declare anything that could conflict.
The recruitment process, stage by stage
Police Scotland's special constable recruitment page sets out the stages below. The final row comes from the 2016 SOP, because the current recruitment pages do not describe training.
| Stage | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Register | Create an account on Police Scotland's job portal. You manage your application online and Police Scotland contacts you at each step. | Process page |
| 2. Application form and pre-screening | Complete the application form. If you do not pass pre-screening, you can reapply once you meet the criteria. | Process page |
| 3. Declarations | Declare any criminal convictions and tattoos. The vetting unit checks them at the pre-appointment stage and each case is considered on its merits. | Process page |
| 4. Police Scotland Entrance Test (PSET) | Tests understanding of language, information handling and numeracy. Example questions and answers are published. | Process page |
| 5. Fitness assessment | 15m multi-stage bleep test to level 5.4 (four lengths at level 5 in time with the beeps). | Process page |
| 6. Vetting | Part of the final stage of the selection process, after you complete the application process. | Process page |
| 7. Training and swearing in | Initial training ending in assessed practical exercises and a final examination; you are sworn in after passing (2016 SOP). | SOP 2016, section 3.3 |
Police Scotland's process page does not describe an interview or assessment day for special constables, even though one of its headings mentions preparing for the entrance test "and assessment day". Regular officer applicants do attend an assessment day (see our assessment day guide), so ask the recruitment team whether your intake includes one. Regulation 5 also requires a medical certificate of fitness for the duties, so expect a health check before appointment.
Questions go to the special constable recruitment team at RecruitmentSpecialConstable@scotland.police.uk, the address Police Scotland gives on its special constable page.
The Police Scotland Entrance Test (PSET)
Specials sit the Police Scotland Entrance Test, not the College of Policing's National Sift. Police Scotland's special constable process page says it assesses your understanding of language, information handling and numeracy, offers mock questions and answers and says Police Scotland does not endorse any study materials.
The special constable page does not give the format. For police officer applicants, Police Scotland describes the PSET as one paper of 49 questions in 60 minutes, handwritten, with a calculator provided and says you must pass all three elements. Expect the same skills to be tested.
Free PSET-format practice
42 original questions across language, numbers and information handling, with worked answers, timed or untimed. Not official questions.
Our PSET guide explains each section: true, false or not possible to say questions on a passage, short sums set in policing situations and reading figures from tables.
Try three PSET-style questions
Three original practice questions, one for each skill the PSET tests. They are written by PolicePay in the style of Police Scotland's published example paper; they are not official questions.
"The community council meets on the first Tuesday of each month. Members of the public may attend, but must register by noon on the Monday before the meeting."
(a) Members of the public can attend without registering. (b) The meeting is held in the evening. (c) Registration closes before the day of the meeting.
Answers: (a) false: the passage says they must register. (b) not possible to say: the passage gives no time. (c) true: registration closes at noon on the Monday, the day before the Tuesday meeting.
In one quarter a special works four shifts of 7.5 hours and two shifts of 9 hours. How many hours is that and at the same rate how many quarters would it take to reach Police Scotland's minimum of 96 hours?
Answer: 4 x 7.5 = 30 hours and 2 x 9 = 18 hours, so 48 hours in the quarter. 96 / 48 = 2 quarters.
Calls attended by a community team in one week:
| Day | Calls attended |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12 |
| Tuesday | 9 |
| Wednesday | 15 |
| Thursday | 11 |
| Friday | 23 |
Questions: which day had the most calls, how many calls were there in total and what was the average per day? Answers: Friday (23); 70 in total (12 + 9 + 15 + 11 + 23); an average of 14 a day (70 / 5).
Want more? Our free PSET practice test has 42 questions with worked answers.
The fitness test: level 5.4
The fitness assessment is a multi-stage fitness test (bleep test) on a 15-metre track. Police Scotland's special constable process page sets the pass standard at level 5.4, which it explains as completing four lengths at level 5 in time with the beeps. It is the same standard as regular officers in Scotland and in England and Wales.
Police Scotland recommends Copstrong, its online training for functional strength and conditioning. Police Scotland's 2016 SOP also required serving specials to keep their Officer Safety Training up to date, so fitness is not a one-off.
Our Police Scotland fitness test guide covers the distance, the time and a training approach and the free 15m bleep test simulator lets you practise against the beeps.
Declarations and vetting
Police Scotland asks you to declare any criminal convictions and tattoos. Its process page says the vetting unit checks the information at the pre-appointment stage and that each case is considered on its own merits and that vetting is part of the final stage of the selection process.
- Declare everything you are asked about. Information is confirmed at vetting and an omission found then is far more damaging than the original matter.
- Tattoos: be ready to describe each one and where it is.
- Employment history: regulation 5 requires details of current and past employment, so have dates and contacts ready.
- References: regulation 5 requires satisfactory character references.
If you have lived abroad or have gaps in your history, read our guide to overseas travel and residency in vetting.
Training and being sworn in
Police Scotland's current recruitment pages do not describe special constable training. The most detailed published account is its special constabulary SOP (version 1.00, published 31 October 2016), which said:
- New recruits follow the National Special Constable Training Programme.
- Initial training ends with assessed practical exercises and a final examination.
- Only those who reach the pass mark in the final exam are sworn in as special constables.
- Resits are offered, but a recruit who fails the exam after three attempts is treated as unable to carry out the role and must resign.
- All specials must keep their Officer Safety Training up to date and complete the Scottish Police Emergency Life Support online training.
- Further development can come through training courses, e-learning or working alongside experienced officers.
We could not confirm the current length, location or timetable of initial training (for example how many weekends or whether any of it is residential at Tulliallan). Ask the recruitment team for the current format before you commit, because it decides how much leave or weekend time you need in the first months.
Specials make the same declaration as regular officers; at the January 2026 ceremonies, seven specials did so alongside 161 new full-time recruits.
The commitment: 96 hours a year
Police Scotland asks special constables for a minimum of 96 hours a year. Its 2016 SOP said specials "should try to commit" to at least 96 hours of operational duty a year, on top of the training needed to develop and that personal circumstances would be taken into account. Regulation 10 leaves the standard duty periods, refreshment breaks and when travel time counts as duty to the Scottish Ministers.
| Force | Minimum asked for | Roughly equals |
|---|---|---|
| Police Scotland | A minimum of 96 hours a year | About 8 hours a month |
| Most forces in England and Wales | At least 16 hours a month (College of Policing) | About 192 hours a year |
| Metropolitan Police | A minimum of 200 hours a year | About 16 or 17 hours a month |
| Thames Valley Police | At least 18 hours a month | About 216 hours a year |
96 hours a year is the lowest stated minimum among the forces in our hours guide. It is achievable with one eight-hour shift a month. In practice many specials do more and some payments and awards depend on more hours (below). For force by force hours in England and Wales see our guide to special constable hours.
Ways to fit 96 hours into a year
An illustration, not a Police Scotland rota: duty periods are set under regulation 10 and agreed locally. These patterns all reach the minimum.
| Pattern | Duty | Hours a year |
|---|---|---|
| One shift a month | 1 x 8 hours each month | 96 hours |
| Events focus | 4 x 6-hour event shifts each quarter | 96 hours |
| Blocks | 2 x 8-hour shifts in six months of the year | 96 hours |
| More than the minimum | 2 x 8-hour shifts every month | 192 hours |
Police Scotland's 2016 SOP said flexibility should be used where illness, pregnancy or other commitments got in the way, that a special with no duty and no contact in a calendar month would be contacted and offered support and that six months without duty or explanation counted as inactive. Its Chief Constable's Certificates started at 300 hours a year, so those awards go to specials doing about three times the minimum.
Expenses and payments
Specials are volunteers and are not paid a salary. Regulations 21 and 22 of the 2013 regulations say the Scottish Ministers must determine special constables' allowances, periodic payments and expenses. Police Scotland's 2016 SOP set out what that meant at the time:
| Item | What the source says |
|---|---|
| Legal basis | The Scottish Ministers determine allowances, periodic payments and expenses (regulations 21 and 22). |
| Travel | Public transport or car to duty reimbursed; mileage at police staff rates (2016 SOP). |
| Food | The same provisions as a regular officer (2016 SOP). |
| Boots | £30 a year after 96 hours of duty, non-taxable (2016 SOP). |
| Loss of earnings | Your actual daily loss when required for duty in your usual working time, taxable (2016 SOP). |
| Periodic payment | An optional £1,100 a year for 180 hours of operational duty after two years' service, taxable (2016 SOP). Current status not confirmed. |
The periodic payment is notable: it is the nearest thing in the UK to an annual payment for specials. Under the 2016 SOP it was voluntary, paid through payroll with tax and National Insurance deducted, did not count initial training and did not count hours given through an employer supported policing scheme. We found no current Police Scotland page confirming it, so ask before relying on it. Our guide to whether special constables get paid compares Scotland with England and Wales.
Recognition for long service and hours
The 2016 SOP also described recognition, which may have changed since:
- A personalised engraved long service medal after nine years, for specials of good conduct who report for duty regularly, with further bars after 19, 29 and 39 years.
- A Chief Constable's Certificate for specials who complete 300, 400, 500 or 600 hours of duty in a financial year.
- Special Constable of the Year awards within Police Scotland's annual awards.
Your employer: employer supported policing
Police Scotland's special constable page says that if your employer takes part in Employer Supported Policing, you may get time off to train and serve. Ask your HR team before you apply. The 2016 SOP said organisations wanting to join the scheme should first speak to Police Scotland's National Coordinator for Special Constables, so an employer that does not yet take part can ask.
Your employer also matters if you are ever needed during working hours, such as for court. The 2016 SOP described a loss of remuneration allowance equal to your actual loss, claimed with confirmation from your employer.
If you are not eligible yet
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Under 18 | Wait until 18 to be appointed. Younger people can look at Police Scotland Youth Volunteers: its page says you must be 13 to 15 to join and give at least three hours a month. |
| Less than three years in the UK | Wait until you meet the three-year residence requirement. |
| In a barred job | Leave the job or change role before applying, or ask the recruitment team whether your exact role is a conflict. |
| Not yet fit to 5.4 | Train first; the standard is the same for every applicant. |
| Recent matters to declare | Read the rejection list on Police Scotland's site. Some matters are a bar for a set time, others are judged case by case. |
Police Scotland's process page says that if you fail pre-screening you can reapply once you meet the criteria, so a "not yet" is not a permanent no.
Special constable or regular officer?
Many people weigh the two. The core differences, from Police Scotland's pages:
| Special constable | Regular constable | |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | None (expenses and allowances only) | £34,001 on appointment, rising to £54,597 (April 2026) |
| Powers | The same powers and responsibilities as full-time officers | Full constable powers |
| Commitment | A minimum of 96 hours a year, around another job | Full-time or part-time officer on shifts |
| Driving licence | Not required | A manual driving licence is required |
| Tests | PSET and 5.4 bleep test, then vetting | PSET, 5.4 bleep test, an assessment day with a group task, a situational judgement exercise and an interview, then medical, drug test, references and vetting |
| Initial training | The National Special Constable Training Programme, ending in an exam (2016 SOP) | 18 weeks, including 15 at Tulliallan or East Kilbride |
| Retirement | At 60 unless postponed by the chief constable (regulation 6) | Pension age 60 |
If you later apply as a regular, you sit the full officer process. The officer application form asks about previous service as a special constable and specials experience gives you real examples for the competency interview and the assessment day. We found no published fast track for specials. See Police Scotland pay scales for regular pay.
Scotland vs England and Wales
If you live near the border or are deciding where to volunteer, the systems differ more than people expect:
| Police Scotland | England and Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| Online tests | Police Scotland Entrance Test (language, information handling, numeracy) | The College of Policing's National Sift (situational judgement test and behavioural styles questionnaire) |
| Interview | Not described on Police Scotland's special constable pages | In-force interview, up to 60 minutes, at CVF level 1 (College standard) |
| Fitness | Level 5.4 | Level 5.4 in the forces that state a standard |
| Hours | A minimum of 96 hours a year | Usually at least 16 hours a month |
| Driving licence | Not required | Varies by force |
| Law | Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013 | Special Constables Regulations 1965 |
| Pay | None; allowances set by the Scottish Ministers | None; allowances approved by the local policing body |
For the England and Wales process see how to become a special constable and do specials sit the National Sift? For the regular officer comparison, see Police Scotland vs England and Wales recruitment.
How to prepare
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Now | Check you meet the eligibility list, especially three years' UK residence and the jobs you cannot hold. Ask your employer about employer supported policing. |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Work through our 42 free PSET-format questions untimed, then timed. Note which section is weakest. |
| Weeks 1 to 8 | Train for the 15m bleep test to level 5.4. Police Scotland recommends its Copstrong programme. |
| Before you apply | List every conviction, caution and tattoo you must declare, with dates. Have your employment history ready. |
| After you apply | Keep training for fitness; you can be tested again. Plan your diary for initial training and 96 hours a year. |
Police Scotland also runs recruitment events. In May 2025, for example, it held two free sessions at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan, covering the operational duties of a special, the recruitment process, eligibility and the assessment process, with serving specials there to answer questions. Look out for future events on Police Scotland's site.
Mistakes that slow applications down
These are general points drawn from Police Scotland's published process, not official guidance:
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Not declaring a minor matter | Police Scotland checks declarations at vetting. Something you left out looks far worse than the matter itself. |
| Leaving fitness training late | The 5.4 standard is the same as for regular officers. Start training before you apply, not after the PSET. |
| Skipping PSET practice | You must show sufficient literacy and numeracy. True, false or not possible to say questions catch out people who read too fast. |
| Applying while in a barred job | Security, licensed premises, betting shops, private investigation, the fire services and HM forces are listed as conflicts. Sort it out first. |
| Underestimating training time | Initial training ends in an exam you must pass to be sworn in. Plan leave and weekends before you start. |
| Thinking 96 hours is the whole commitment | The 2016 SOP put 96 hours of operational duty on top of training and Officer Safety Training has to be kept up. |
Questions to ask the recruitment team
Police Scotland's current pages leave some practical questions open. These are worth asking at a recruitment event or by email before you commit:
| Question | Why ask |
|---|---|
| When does the next training course start and how is it timetabled? | Current pages do not say and it decides how much time you need early on. |
| Is there an interview or assessment day for specials in this intake? | The process page does not describe one. |
| What expenses do you pay now and is there still a periodic payment? | The only published figures are from 2016. |
| Where would I be deployed? | Specials work alongside full-time officers; ask about your local division. |
| Does my employer take part in Employer Supported Policing? | It can give you paid time off to train and serve. |
| Can I take the fitness test again if I fall short? | Ask how retests work for specials before test day. |
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PSET | Police Scotland Entrance Test: the written test of language, information handling and numeracy. |
| 5.4 | The bleep test standard: four lengths at level 5 on the 15-metre multi-stage fitness test. |
| Copstrong | Police Scotland's online strength and conditioning programme, recommended before the fitness test. |
| OST | Officer Safety Training: how to protect yourself and others; specials keep it up to date (2016 SOP). |
| SPELS | Scottish Police Emergency Life Support: online first aid training for specials (2016 SOP). |
| ESP | Employer Supported Policing: employers giving staff time off to train and serve as specials. |
| PSYV | Police Scotland Youth Volunteers: the youth volunteering programme, separate from the special constabulary. |
| Periodic payment | An optional annual payment for hours served, described in the 2016 SOP; current status not confirmed. |
| SSI 2013/43 | The Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013, the law for specials in Scotland. |
Get told when Police Scotland recruits
On 22 October 2026 the Special Constable vacancy (ID 4896) on Police Scotland's candidate portal had a closing date of 31 March 2027. Leave your email and we will tell you when we see Police Scotland open, close or change its recruitment.
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What we could not verify
- Current training format. Police Scotland's recruitment pages do not describe the length, location or timetable of special constable training. The training detail above is from the 2016 SOP.
- Whether there is an interview or assessment day for specials. The process page mentions an assessment day in a heading but does not describe one.
- The PSET format for specials. The 49 questions in 60 minutes format is Police Scotland's description for police officer applicants.
- Current allowances and the periodic payment. The figures are from the 2016 SOP.
- Intake dates. The Special Constable vacancy closes on 31 March 2027 (candidate portal, read 22 October 2026), but no intake or training dates are published.
- Which email address to use. Police Scotland's process page shows RecruitmentSpecialConstable@scotland.police.uk as link text but the link itself points to the police officer recruitment address. Use the specials address shown on the main special constable page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a special constable in Scotland?
Create an account on Police Scotland's job portal and complete the application form. Police Scotland's process page then lists declarations of convictions and tattoos, the Police Scotland Entrance Test (language, information handling and numeracy), a 15m bleep test to level 5.4 and vetting as part of the final stage. You then complete initial training before being sworn in.
Do Police Scotland special constables get paid?
No. Specials are volunteers. Under the Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013, the Scottish Ministers set allowances and expenses. Police Scotland's 2016 special constabulary SOP described travel and food expenses, a £30 boot allowance and an optional £1,100 periodic payment for 180 hours a year after two years' service. We could not confirm whether those amounts still apply in 2026.
How many hours does a Police Scotland special constable have to do?
A minimum of 96 hours a year, according to Police Scotland's special constable page. That is about 8 hours a month, half the 16 hours a month most forces in England and Wales ask for. Police Scotland's 2016 SOP said the 96 hours are operational duty on top of training.
Do you need a driving licence to be a special constable in Scotland?
No. Police Scotland's special constable page says a driving licence is not required. That is different from regular officers in Scotland, who must hold a manual driving licence.
Do Police Scotland specials sit the entrance test?
Yes. Police Scotland's special constable recruitment page lists the Police Scotland Entrance Test, which assesses language, information handling and numeracy. Regulation 5 also requires an educational assessment. For police officer applicants, Police Scotland describes the PSET as 49 questions in 60 minutes; the special constable page does not give the format.
What is the fitness test for Police Scotland special constables?
The multi-stage fitness test (bleep test) on a 15-metre track, to level 5.4. Police Scotland explains level 5.4 as completing four lengths at level 5 in time with the beeps and recommends its online Copstrong programme to prepare.
What is the age limit for special constables in Scotland?
You must be 18 or over to be appointed. Regulation 6 of the Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013 says special constables must retire at 60, although the chief constable can postpone that.
Can I be a special constable if I work in security or a pub?
Police Scotland's special constable page says you cannot hold or take roles in fire services, security, private investigation, managing or working in licensed premises or betting shops, or serve in HM forces, because of conflicts of interest.
Do Police Scotland special constables need a medical?
Yes. Regulation 5 of the Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013 requires a certificate from a registered medical practitioner approved by the Scottish Police Authority that you are physically and mentally fit for the duties and that you meet the eyesight standard set by the Scottish Ministers.
Can I be a special constable in Scotland if I am in the armed forces?
Police Scotland's special constable page lists serving as a member of HM forces among the roles you cannot hold, alongside the fire services, security, private investigation and licensed premises or betting shops.
How long is special constable training in Scotland?
Police Scotland's current recruitment pages do not say. Its 2016 SOP says new specials follow the National Special Constable Training Programme, ending in assessed practical exercises and a final examination and that only those who pass are sworn in; after three failed attempts a special must resign. Ask the recruitment team for the current format and dates.
Is being a special constable in Scotland a route to becoming a regular officer?
It is good preparation, but you apply as a new police officer candidate and sit the full officer process, including the assessment day. The officer application form asks about previous service as a special constable. We found no published fast track for specials in Scotland.
Sources and how we checked them
Every factual claim on this page was written from the sources below, read on 21 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so check the source for the date you are reading this. Where we could not confirm something from an official or independent source, the page says so rather than guessing. Spotted something out of date? See our corrections policy.
- Police Scotland: Special Constable : volunteers with the same powers as full-time officers; 96 hours a year; age 18; three years' UK residence; eyesight; nationality; no driving licence needed; barred jobs; employer supported policing; how to apply (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Scotland: Special Constable recruitment process : register and apply; pre-screening; declarations of convictions and tattoos; PSET elements; 15m bleep test to 5.4 and Copstrong; vetting in the final stage (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013, regulation 5 (legislation.gov.uk) : qualifications for appointment: references, age 18, health, eyesight, hearing, educational assessment, nationality and leave to remain, no fixed-term appointment (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013, regulation 6 (legislation.gov.uk) : retirement at 60, which the chief constable may postpone (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013, regulation 10 (legislation.gov.uk) : duty periods, refreshment breaks and travel time set by the Scottish Ministers (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Service of Scotland (Special Constables) Regulations 2013, Part 5 (legislation.gov.uk) : regulations 21 and 22: allowances, periodic payments and expenses determined by the Scottish Ministers (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Scotland: Special Constabulary Standard Operating Procedure, version 1.00 (published 31 October 2016) : national training programme and final exam; three attempts; Officer Safety Training; 96 hours over and above training; long service medal; Chief Constable's Certificates; allowances and periodic payment (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Scotland: Police officer recruitment process : the officer PSET, fitness test and assessment day, for comparison (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Scotland: Police Officer : regular officer eligibility and training, for comparison (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Scotland: Offences that mean you'll be rejected : the rejection list for officer applicants, for comparison (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Scotland: Oath of office ceremonies (January 2026) : seven special constables made the declaration alongside new recruits on 15 January 2026 (accessed 21 October 2026)
- Police Scotland: Police Scotland Youth Volunteers : youth volunteers must be aged 13 to 15 to join and give at least three hours a month (accessed 21 October 2026)
- CVS Falkirk: Police Scotland special constable recruitment events (23 April 2025) : recruitment events at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan, on 10 May 2025 (accessed 21 October 2026)
On this topic elsewhere
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Disclaimer
PolicePay.co.uk is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with Police Scotland, the Scottish Police Authority or the College of Policing. It does not recruit, test or assess applicants. Our practice questions are original PolicePay material, not official Police Scotland questions. Police Scotland sets and changes its own selection process, so check its recruitment pages and your candidate account before relying on anything here. Details are as checked on 21 October 2026.