Special Constabulary

Special Constable Recruitment Campaign 2013-2014

Police Officers in a line

The recruitment campaign for Special Constables which was launched on Friday 1 February 2013 has now closed in order to process applications. To register your expression of interest for the next recruitment campaign please email volunteers-recruitment@dorset.pnn.police.uk with your contact details and we will be in touch very shortly.

Am I eligible to apply to be a Special Constable?

The Police ‘Could You’ website (Police Could You ) advises on eligibility. Potential applicants who are interested in applying to Dorset Police should read the information provided on this site before proceeding further.

What is the current campaign timeline?

Dorset Police will be accepting applications for the foreseeable future via a number of campaigns as we are anticipating recruiting a significant number of Special Constables over the forthcoming years. The current campaign timeline is as follows:-

STAGE OF PROCESS	DATE *
Closing date for applications:	Monday 8 April 2013
Results from application form to be issued:	Monday 13 May 2013
Assessment Centre dates:	TBC
Job Related Fitness Test / Medical examinations / Security Clearance and Uniform Fittings:	In preceding months to provisional training / appointment date
Current anticipated training / appointment dates:	August 2013 onwards

*It should be noted that the above can be subject to review at any time depending on the force requirements and any significant changes in such. We will always aim to keep you fully updated of any changes

What is the application process and how long does it take?

We schedule in a number of training dates throughout the calendar year and if you are successful at application and assessment centre we will discuss which provisional date is most suitable to you to commence your training in role.

Timescales for elements of the recruitment process are as follows:-

Candidates successful at initial paper-sift are normally notified approximately 1 month after the closing date
An assessment centre is normally planned in within the following months after notification of the initial results.
The remainder of the stages; medical, fitness, security and reference checks are planned in near to any training/appointment date that we agree with the candidate thus there may be a time before we start this stage.

More detailed information of the selection process is included below:

What does the selection process include?

The selection process includes:-

Stage 1 - Successful completion of a competency based application form

As part of the application process you will be required to complete the competency based application form which is designed to obtain real evidence of the qualities you already have or may develop to enable you to carry out the role of a Special Constable. Your application will then go through an initial rigorous paper-sift. The paper-sift will be carried out over a period of one month from the closing date. If the force need to speak to you about any of the information you have provided, a member of the HR Service Support Team will make contact with you. All applicants are notified in writing if they have been successful or unsuccessful at this stage approximately one month after the closing date for applications.

Stage 2 – Specials National Recruit Assessment Centre

Following successful completion of the competency based application form; applicants will be invited to attend a Specials National Recruit Assessment Centre. These are generally held at Hampshire Constabulary, and last for half a day. Candidates are required to undertake a variety of exercises, all of which test the seven key competency areas and include:

Competency-based structured interview
1 x written tests
1 x Situational judgment test

The seven key competencies are particularly relevant to the role of a Special Constable and are as follows:

Community and Customer Focus
Effective Communication
Personal Responsibility
Planning and Organising
Resilience
Respect for Race and Diversity
Team-working

In the case of candidates who have a disability there may be instances whereby candidates can apply for a reasonable adjustment at the Assessment Centre – further details are available by following this link >

The current national pass mark for applicants attending the assessment centre is 50%.

Final Stages - Medical Examination/Job-related Fitness Test/Security, background and reference checks

In preparation for an allocated training/appointment date candidates are required to complete the final elements of the application process. These are:

Medical Examination and drug test
Eyesight test
Job Related Fitness Test *

* If you have a disability that you believe would prevent you from undertaking or passing this test, reasonable adjustments, in the form of an alternative testing method can be considered to establish your fitness to undertake the role of a Special Constable /to undertake Personal Safety Training whilst in the role.

Final security and reference checks are then obtained and if suitable candidates are appointed in the role of Special Constable.

Upon Appointment

As a Special Constable you will undertake the Initial Learning for Special Constabulary (IL4SC) programme generated nationally by the NPIA. This programme derives from the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP). It utilises common learning outcomes where appropriate and takes Special Constables to the point of safe and lawful accompanied patrol. In doing so, it provides Special Constables with the appropriate knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours to perform operational duties.

Phase one of the IL4SC comprises of 18 units covering all aspects of Police work including: Arrests, Personal Safety, First aid, Stop and Search and Diversity. These units will be held every weekend (subject to public holidays) over a three month period and consists of blended resources including: Classroom sessions, E-Learning, Self study and Knowledge Checks.

The final unit of Phase one training will include attestation by a magistrate, after which the trainee Special Constable will become a warranted officer. Students will then move on to the tutored phase (Phase two) where they will be accompanied by a regular police officer tutor on duty and will have to evidence their policing skills over 10 units on the electronic Student Officer Assessment and Development Portfolio (e-SOLAP), whilst attending monthly training sessions of the post foundation course. It is expected that this phase should be completed within 20 weeks from the end of Phase one training. Once the tutored phase is complete the Special Constable will be considered safe and lawful for accompanied patrol.

The Special Constable will then move onto the Operational phase (Phase three). They are then able to patrol with another Special Constable or Police Officer who is out of their probationary period whilst completing the final 10 units on the e-SOLAP. The Operational phase should be complete within two years of the Special Constable beginning Phase one. They will then be confirmed in appointment, enabling them to competently police their sections.

In addition to this, Special Constables will need to attend training once a month, deemed as mandatory, and requalify every year in First Aid and Personal Safety to ensure that Dorset’s high standard of policing is maintained.

Special Constable Application Pack

Download application form (1.07MB PDF)

Covering Letter (36 PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions (64kb PDF)

Any other queries that are not answered on this website please contact the HR Service Support Team on 01305 223794 or email volunteers-recruitment@dorset.pnn.police.uk . Office hours are 0840 - 1700 Monday to Thursday, and 0840 - 1540 every Friday, with the exception of Bank Holidays.

Additional Information

If you aren’t sure, why not contact the Volunteers Support Team on 01305 226869 or via email vol@dorset.pnn.police.uk to discuss the role a Special performs or to arrange contact from a serving Special. .

Police could you – specials website >

Special Constabulary recruiting brochure (1MB PDF)