Frequently asked questions

Special Constables are trained volunteers who work alongside regular officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

Specials come from all walks of life and a range of careers.

Whilst on duty, Special Constables have the same powers as regular officers.

In return for their commitment of a minimum of 16 hours a month, Special Constables receive first class training, support and the uniform and equipment to carry out the role.

People become Specials for many different reasons as you may want to:

• Give back to the community
• Build skills and gain experience
• Challenge yourself
• Gain insight into the role of the police officer before applying for the role
• Meet new people

Yes. PCSOs are members of police staff who work alongside police officers out in the community.

Special Constables are trained volunteers who have the same powers as regular police officers.

Yes. All Specials are initially trained to be uniformed, frontline police officers. Once fit for independent patrol, there are a range of specialisms available. Officers can be attached to the Rural Operational Support Team, Roads Policing Unit or neighbourhood policing. Some officers have multi-faceted roles, where they carry out frontline duties, but also work within specialist safeguarding teams such as the MOSOVO Unit (Managing Sexual or Violent Offenders), the Mental Health Triage Car as well as Case Investigation Team and Cybercrime duties.

You can apply to become a Special aged 17 years and six months but you cannot be appointed or attested (given police powers/warrant card) until you are 18 years old.

There is no upper age limit, although you must be able to pass the recruitment process which includes a fitness test and a medical. You must also be able to carry out the full duties of a Special Constable.

No.

Yes, candidates must have a BMI between 18 and 30.

Yes. All applicants need to have resided permanently in the UK for a minimum of three years prior to applying.

No. All equipment including uniform is provided free of charge. Agreed travel and out of pocket expenses will be paid.

The Special Constabulary will give you the opportunity to develop your skills and challenge yourself in an interesting and exciting environment.

• Find out more about the benefits of becoming a Special Constable.

No.

No.

You must serve at least 16 hours a month. On occasion you will be asked to complete specific duties, such as concerts, county shows, football duties.

There is no limit on the number of hours you volunteer.

No, but applicants do need to be dedicated and committed to the role.

The police service has a policy of prohibiting any of their officers or staff from becoming members of the BNP or similar organisations whose aims, objectives or pronouncements may contradict the duty to promote race equality. If you are, or ever have been a member of BNP or a similar organisation your application will be rejected.

Tattoos are not necessarily a bar to appointment. However some tattoos could potentially offend colleagues, members of the public or could bring discredit to Hertfordshire Constabulary. If you have tattoos, please take a photograph and send in with your application form, together with a description, their size and location.

Applicants must be in good health and sound constitution and be able, both physically and mentally, to perform the duties of a Special Constable if appointed. If you have a disability we will make adjustments where it is reasonable to do so.

There is no direct advantage but, clearly, being a Special Constable will provide a valuable insight into policing. Quite a number of our Special Constables have gone on to become regular officers.

During the recruitment process we will ask for three years of employment or education history. Please also include full details of any military service, regardless of when that was.

Yes, certain jobs result in conflicts of interest.

There is quite a list, but here are some examples of where applicants employed in the following roles will not be eligible for selection:

• Armed Forces personnel (not reservists)
• Traffic Wardens, civil enforcement officers and school crossing patrols.
• Neighbourhood and Street Wardens.
• Highways Agency Traffic Officers employed in an 'on-road' capacity.
• Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
• Members of private constabularies.
• Ministry of Justice employees (Magistrates, Judges, Clerks, CPS).
• Immigration Officers.

Any other employment that the Chief Constable deems a conflict of interest.

If you are in any doubt, please email the Specials recruitment officer for further guidance.

You must be a British Citizen, or a member of the European Community (EC) or other states of the European Economic Area (EEA), a Commonwealth Citizen or foreign national who is resident in the UK free of restrictions and with unrestricted leave to remain. You will be asked to produce your passport and other identification when attending the experience day.

Police officers are in a privileged position and could therefore be considered potentially vulnerable to corruption.

Applicants will have their financial status checked and if you have existing County Court Judgements outstanding against you or if you have been registered bankrupt, and these debts have not been discharged, you will not be considered.

Ideally, you should not have a criminal record.

Some minor convictions may not preclude you. You must declare any conviction, civil or military (including minor and juvenile offences, cautions, bind-overs, reprimands and fixed penalty notices) regardless of how long ago these took place.

Spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 must be declared.

Finally, you must also declare if you have ever been involved in any criminal investigation whether or not this led to prosecution (either of yourself or those associated with you).

Police National Computer (PNC) records will be checked and failure to declare any of these will result in rejection on integrity grounds.

This information will NOT be divulged to your family or employer.

In short, yes. In addition to the need for you to declare any formal cautions (including as a juvenile), convictions for past offences, and bind-overs imposed by the courts you have had, you must do so for those associated with you when you go through the vetting process.

This includes your friends and family. Our vetting enquiries will reveal incidents from a long ago, failure to disclose these will lead to your application being rejected as this is a key part of the Code of Ethics for honesty and integrity.

No. The role of Special Constable is voluntary. Agreed travel and out of pocket expenses will be paid whilst on duty.

Special Constables are posted to one of the ten local policing areas within Hertfordshire.

Some Specials prefer to be based locally within their own communities, whilst others prefer to be based within another town. We will work with you to identify a team that is suitable for your needs.

Yes. We ask that Specials organise their shifts with their team Sergeant so the team know when to expect you and include you in any team plans. On occasions we will ask if you are available to work a specific shift to support an event or operation.

If you have any further questions, please email.