Special constables

Norfolk Constabulary operates an employer support scheme for existing or potential special constables. The scheme is called the Specials Through Employers Partnership scheme (STEP) and aims to encourage volunteers to join the specials with their employer's support.

How businesses can support the scheme

STEP asks employers to sponsor an employee who would like to volunteer by allowing them up to a maximum of one paid day per month off work to undertake work as a special constable. The employee in turn agrees to match the hours sponsored by the employer, whilst also fulfilling our requirement for 16 hours service per month.

Benefits of the scheme

The STEP scheme has been designed to help volunteers balance their time commitments and also assists local businesses and organisations in playing a more active part in their communities.

If you are a Norfolk employer, there are a number of benefits to you having employees also serving as special constables, including:

• Individual staff development: Through Special Constabulary service, employees can gain valuable transferable skills, including decision-making, communication, problem solving, leadership, working in a team, dealing with conflict, self-monitoring and control.
• Management training: Our Special Constabulary section officers are usually responsible for co-ordinating up to 12 other special constables. They all complete our management training course that aims to give them the skills they need to manage their team. The training includes sessions on handling difficult situations, the role of the supervisor, communication, handling stress, pressure and time, and team building. 
• Improved staff morale, motivation and retention: Staff with a worthwhile interest outside of work feel more fulfilled and are more motivated. They are less likely to seek alternative employment and could prove themselves to be a strong asset to your business.
• Supporting the local community: Companies are increasingly adopting 'corporate responsibility' policies and are demonstrating to their customers, the public, and other businesses that they are actively trying to improve the local community for everyone. 
• A positive marketing opportunity: Raise your company's local profile by showing your support for staff who volunteer and who are helping to: increase visible police presence on the streets, effectively tackle local crime and disorder issues, and reduce the fear of crime in the community. 
• Saving on staff development costs: Each special is thoroughly trained over a period of a year according to a predetermined training syllabus. They develop a range of transferable skills that not only enables them to carry out their role in a professional and safe manner, but will naturally transfer into the workplace. This has the potential to save you money on training costs.

To be a special constable you must be:

• at least 17 years of age (and must be 18 years of age before appointment as a special constable).
• a British citizen or a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals are also eligible to apply but only if they are resident in the UK with indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK or EU settled status
• in good health and reasonably fit
• of good character
• a Norfolk resident or work within the county of Norfolk

Height and eyesight

There are no height restrictions but you do have to meet our vision standards. When you apply, you will receive a form that you will need to take to a qualified optician for completion and return.

Additional restrictions

Please see the College of Policing guidance notes for additional restrictions on occupations that are not compatible with also serving as a special constable.

Further information

If you would like further information about the specials, please email us or check out the College of Policing website.

As a special constable you will work closely with regular officers in serving the community. This is a great opportunity for you to meet people from all walks of life and gain experience in wide range of policing duties.

You will be presented with constant challenges and opportunities to develop your skills and you will also receive excellent training - both initially and during your first year of service.

In your first year you will be given 14 core training sessions to help you work effectively and safely as a special constable.

There will also be ongoing training available to you on new legislation, conflict management and other key skills, which will also support you in your full-time employment and personal development.

Pay and expenses

If you volunteer as a special you receive no pay, as it is a voluntary service. However, you can claim mileage expenses or the cost of travel to and from duty. You can also claim out-of-pocket expenses, including meals, if you can provide a receipt. You may also be entitled to a boot allowance if you serve a certain number of hours each year.

If you lose work pay due to having to attend court to give evidence, we will reimburse you. Sickness benefits will also be paid to you if you are injured on duty.

Uniform

You will be provided with a free uniform that is virtually identical to that of a regular officer. Your uniform will remain the property of Norfolk Police. We will also issue you with handcuffs, a baton, and CS spray after you have been trained in how to use this equipment and hold the necessary certificates.

Job satisfaction

Speak to anyone serving as a special and they will tell you that they achieve a real sense of satisfaction from their work - particularly after an incident where their work has had an impact on people. They also find their confidence and self-esteem improves and that they find a great deal of pleasure and a sense of pride in helping others.

Further information

If you would like further information about the specials, please email us or check out the College of Policing website.

The Special Constabulary is a voluntary body, whose officers form a vital part of the police family to assist their regular colleagues to police the communities of Norfolk. Specials come from all walks of life and are valued members of our organisation, who give up some of their spare time to help us keep the county safe.

What specials do

Specials perform a variety of police duties to support regular officers with the day-to-day policing of Norfolk. This could involve foot and vehicle patrols, being part of the immediate response team or assisting with police operations.

As a special, no two shifts are ever the same - you could be dealing with road traffic collisions, public order, domestic disputes, missing persons or fires. You may also be asked to assist at large scale public events. These can range from village and town festivals and local sporting events to county shows and royal visits.

Hours

You must complete at least 16 hours of service per month. Your hours will be flexible and you can arrange them according to your personal, home and work commitments. However, in an operational emergency, we may call you out for duty.

The more hours you put in, the more you will get back and the quicker your confidence will grow. Many specials do far more than the minimum required and there is no restriction. We will, however, discourage you from letting your work as a special take over your life.

Where you will be based

You can expect to be based at the nearest police station to your home, but you may have to travel to another station for training.

Training and police powers

Specials have the same powers as regular officers, wear an almost identical uniform, carry the same equipment and receive the same training as their regular officers.

Rank structure

The Special Constabulary comes under the operational command of regular senior officers, but has its own rank structure as follows:

• Special Constable
• Special Sergeant 
• Special Inspector 
• Special Chief Inspector 
• Chief Officer Special Constabulary