Specials
Special Constable
A volunteer police officer with the same powers as a regular officer, giving a minimum number of hours each month alongside other work.
Also searched as special constable, specials, police volunteer. We currently see 7 forces referencing this route, with 4 live adverts we can read directly.
Short answer
A volunteer police officer with the same powers as a regular officer, giving a minimum number of hours each month alongside other work. You apply to the force, not to a national scheme.
Length
Ongoing, with a minimum monthly hours commitment set by each force
Who it's for
People who want warranted policing experience without leaving their current job, including candidates preparing for a regular application.
Pay
Unpaid; expenses reimbursed
What you need
- Aged 18 or over to be appointed
- A national sift and an in-force interview (College of Policing)
- The same vetting, fitness and medical standards as a regular officer
- An employer who can accommodate duty hours, where relevant
Worth knowing first
- Unpaid; out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed
- A chief officer can accept special constable service in place of the level 3 requirement for PCDA and PCEP
- Each force sets its own minimum hours and training timetable
Want the full picture?
Real hours commitments by force, training length, the legal basis for full constable powers, and how this counts towards becoming a regular officer.
Special Constable Explained →Forces advertising Specials
Filtered to forces where our last check found this route. Forces whose systems block automated reading won't appear here even if they are recruiting — the full board shows every force with its data source.
54
live vacancies we can read
3
forces with a readable job feed
4
forces confirmed recruiting
Last checked today. We check every force twice a day and show you exactly where each answer came from.
Showing 7 of 43 forces
West Midlands Police
Read from West Midlands Police's own job board, today.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Cleveland Police
From Cleveland Police's own job board — 4 of 8 shown, checked today.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Greater Manchester Police
Read from Greater Manchester Police's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Derbyshire Constabulary
Read from Derbyshire Constabulary's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Leicestershire Police
Read from Leicestershire Police's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Lancashire Constabulary
Read from Lancashire Constabulary's careers page today. We can see what they mention, not a vacancy list.
Starting salary
£32,255
national scale
≈ £1,952/mo take-home
Specials questions
What is Special Constable? +
A volunteer police officer with the same powers as a regular officer, giving a minimum number of hours each month alongside other work.
Who is Specials for? +
People who want warranted policing experience without leaving their current job, including candidates preparing for a regular application.
How long does Specials take? +
Ongoing, with a minimum monthly hours commitment set by each force. Unpaid; out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed.
What do you need to apply for Specials? +
Aged 18 or over to be appointed. A national sift and an in-force interview (College of Policing). The same vetting, fitness and medical standards as a regular officer. An employer who can accommodate duty hours, where relevant.
Compare the other routes
PCEP
Two years, with a two-year probation
PCDA
Three years, with a three-year probation
DHEP
Two years, with a two-year probation
Detective
Two-year probation, plus the learning needed for PIP 2 accreditation
Transferee
Set by the receiving force; vetting and references are the usual waits
Rejoiner
Probation of 6 months if you rejoin within 12 months at your old rank, otherwise 12 months
PCSO
Permanent role, starting with an initial learning programme
Staff
Permanent and fixed-term contracts