Specials
Special Constable
A volunteer constable with full police powers, serving 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 3 live adverts we can read directly.
Length
Ongoing, with a minimum commitment of around 16 hours a month
Who it's for
People who want warranted policing experience without leaving their current job — and, often, candidates building a case for a regular application.
Pay
Unpaid — expenses covered
What you need
- Aged 18 or over
- The same vetting standard as a regular officer
- The same fitness and medical standards
- Employer awareness, since duty can conflict with shift work
Worth knowing first
- Unpaid, though expenses are covered
- Many forces fast-track experienced specials into regular recruitment
- Specials windows are frequently open when regular windows are shut
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.
59
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
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/mo take-home
Starting salary
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/mo take-home
North Yorkshire Police
From North Yorkshire Police's own job board — 5 of 16 shown, checked today.
Starting salary
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/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
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/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
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/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
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/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
£33,969
national scale
≈ £2,027/mo take-home
Specials questions
What is Special Constable? +
A volunteer constable with full police powers, serving 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 — and, often, candidates building a case for a regular application.
How long does Specials take? +
Ongoing, with a minimum commitment of around 16 hours a month. Unpaid, though expenses are covered.
What do you need to apply for Specials? +
Aged 18 or over. The same vetting standard as a regular officer. The same fitness and medical standards. Employer awareness, since duty can conflict with shift work.
Compare the other routes
PCEP
Around two years to confirmation as a constable
PCDA
Three years, ending in a degree and confirmation as a constable
DHEP
Two years to confirmation as a constable
Detective
Two years to substantive detective constable, in most schemes
Transferee
Typically three to six months from application to start date
Rejoiner
Often faster than initial entry — a shortened conversion rather than a full programme
PCSO
Permanent role with an initial training period of a few months
Staff
Permanent and fixed-term contracts