FAQs

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.

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.

Must have a full car driving licence (B).

Start by attending one of our online webinars to get a better understanding of the role and process involved. We discuss and cover all the suitability criteria, including employment and next steps.

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.

Our Employer Supported Policing (ESP) scheme is an initiative that encourages businesses and police to work together to support their staff to become special constables.

This national scheme is already proving successful bringing numerous benefits to employers, employees and the local community.

How your business can support the scheme?

We are keen to strengthen links and work in partnership with local businesses.

Here is how you can support the scheme:

• by allowing employees flexibility to take time out of employment (paid or unpaid) to conduct duties. This could be achieved in a variety of ways but some employers are currently supporting with between two and 12 days a year
• by putting up posters and stocking leaflets on volunteer recruitment
• by allowing representatives from Suffolk Police to hold recruitment events in your premises

Benefits to employers:

• supporting their local community
• transferable skills
• enhanced staff development/training
• improved staff morale/motivation
• greater staff retention leading to lower recruitment costs and corporate memory retained
• crime reduction advice and support
• enhanced local reputation with local community
• consumer purchase preference

Applicants must pass the Police Job Related Fitness Test (JRFT).The test is a 15-metre bleep test (multi-stage fitness test). Recruitment standard: Level 5.4.Assesses the fitness needed for safe operational policing duties. There is no upper age limit, but all applicants must be able to meet the fitness standard. Special Constables must maintain fitness standards and complete annual fitness testing once attested.

Special Constables receive a tailored training programme based on the same core curriculum delivered to regular police officers. The training focuses on the knowledge, skills and legislation required for the role, while being streamlined to reflect the duties and powers that Special Constables are expected to perform. This ensures volunteers receive relevant, practical and proportionate training, equipping them to work safely and effectively alongside their regular officer colleagues.

Many officers choose to join the Special Constabulary as a stepping stone to a career in regular policing. Serving as a Special Constable provides valuable frontline experience, allowing individuals to develop practical policing skills, apply their training in real operational environments and gain a realistic understanding of the role. Working alongside regular officers helps build confidence, knowledge and evidence of commitment to policing, making the transition to a regular officer role smoother and providing a strong foundation for future recruitment opportunities.