By joining us as a special constable (or volunteer police officer), you will help us fight crime and protect people. Not only will you protect life and ensure public safety, but you will also help us to earn the trust and confidence of all our communities.
If you are looking for a unique and rewarding volunteer role and would like to join us for our next intake starting in September 2025, becoming a special constable could be the perfect opportunity for you.
Please note: Becoming a specials constable requires significant commitment to the initial training programme. Upon completion of this training, a regular commitment of at least 16 hours per month is expected. Applicants are therefore encouraged to consider this role as a long-term voluntary position.
The Role & Key Responsibilities
Our special constables are volunteer police officers from all walks of life who dedicate their valuable spare time to policing our local communities in Surrey.
Based within each of our 11 boroughs in Surrey, our special constables wear the same uniform and have the same powers and responsibilities as our regular (paid) police officers.
There is no such thing as a typical shift. You could find yourself responding to 999 emergency calls or going out on patrol, making house-to-house enquiries, preserving scenes, or presenting evidence in court. It can be challenging, but satisfying and rewarding too. The hours you volunteer will make a real difference to the public of Surrey and you will gain unique experiences that you are unlikely to encounter elsewhere.
To become a special constable, you will be required to complete an initial training course of 14 weeks. During this course, you will be expected to attend training on one evening every week and on alternate weekends (Saturday and Sunday). The course is intensive and incorporates many different aspects of policing and conflict resolution, but once complete you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to begin policing.
You will then be expected to dedicate a minimum of 16 hours per month to your special constable duties, volunteering alongside our regular police officers carrying out a range of policing activities. This monthly commitment will enable you to maintain your operational competence.
As you become more experienced in the role, there may be opportunities to specialise within our UAV (Drone) Team, our Roads Policing Units, Public Order Units or working alongside one of our partner agencies on our Joint Response Unit (JRU).
Due to the level of commitment required, you should consider this a long-term volunteer role which will continue to offer new experiences and opportunities.
Skills & Experience
We are looking for individuals who have the drive and determination needed to become a special constable.
You will need to have good communication skills and be able to think laterally to solve problems, often under pressure. You will encounter a wide range of challenging situations, and must be able to deal with conflict and interact with members of the public calmly and confidently.
There are several key eligibility requirements applicants you will need to meet before becoming a special constable which can be found within our Special Constable Recruitment Guide.
Further Information
Please refer to our Special Constable Recruitment Guide for more information about becoming a special constable. We recommend reading the eligibility criteria in full to confirm you are eligible to apply before you submit an application as we cannot accept applicants who do not meet all of the requirements.
* You can now apply at the age of 17 to be a special constable, however you will need to be 18 on the day that your training course commences.
* All applicants must hold a valid manual driver’s license with no more than 5 points.
* We ask that applicants hold a GCSE (A*-C/4-9) in Maths and English or equivalent Level 2 qualification. However, if you do not have these, or are unable to evidence them, you can apply, but will be required to complete a formal test to demonstrate your competence in these subjects.
* You must have lived in the UK for three continuous years, immediately prior to application. If you’ve lived abroad due to serving in the British Armed Forces or on UK Government Service, you’re considered to have been resident in the UK.
* If you’re from outside the EEA, you’re required to have leave to enter or leave to remain in the UK for an indefinite period. Such applicants must reside in the UK free of restrictions or have an entitlement to do so.
* You cannot be a member of the British National Party (BNP) or other relevant organisations.
* You must not have any tattoos with designs which can be seen as discriminatory, violent or intimidating or could be offensive. Tattoos on the face are not generally accepted.
* Ideally you should not have a criminal conviction or caution.
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service.
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