Special Constables

Special Constables are Volunteer Police Officers. As a Special, you wear the same uniform, carry the same equipment and hold the same power of arrest as your regular police officer colleagues.

In this unique role you will learn more about life and human nature than most people will ever see. You will need to contribute at least 18 hours per month, at times which fit around your life – whether that’s child care, education, work or other commitments – we make your shifts work.

What's involved?

Specials offer essential, valued support to regular officers. Typical duties include foot patrol, assisting at the scene of accidents, enforcing road safety initiatives, conducting house-to-house enquiries, providing security at major events, tackling anti-social behaviour, presenting evidence in court and more!

Ultimately, you will feel a great sense of achievement policing your local communities.

Meet our Specials

Discover SC Qasim's story

"I’m doing something that’s completely opposite to my normal work and I get a great buzz, but the buzz is also from the fact that I’m doing something that’s having a meaningful difference in people’s lives."

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Meet Special Constable Tom

"It's the best decision I've made and I wouldn't change anything."

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Special Constable - Jenny

"I’m a mum, a wife – all those skills that an older female can bring to the special constable role are huge."

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Meet Special Constable Ellie

“I’ve got this – this is the reason why I signed up to be a special because I want to make a difference.”

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Special Sergeant - Owen

"I wanted to do what all Police Officers do. I wanted to help people more than anything."

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Special Constable - Aniela

"Working with your colleagues gives you that sense of safety that we've got each other's backs."

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Special Constable - Shamilah

"I’m going to look back and think “I did that”. They’ll be really proud moments for me to look back on."

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Special Constable - Elland

“You’re made to feel really welcome, and you make friends with people you wouldn’t expect to make friends with. You’ll go into situations that you never thought you would.”

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Special Constable - Idnan

“Do it! Make a difference and represent the communities that you’re from. Go home after a shift knowing you’ve made a positive impact in your community.”

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Special Constable - Johanna

“It was the adrenaline you get when you’re on that call and you don’t know what to expect. It’s the unknown, and it’s exciting.”

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Special Constable - Paul

“Making a difference to someone at what is perhaps the worst moment of their lives – being able to do that is a privilege.”

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You may apply aged 17, but must be aged 18 or over when you start with us. There is no upper age limit.
Be a British citizen, or an EU/European Economic Area (EEA) national, Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with Indefinite Leave to Remain or Pre-Settled/Settled status and no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom.
Be in good health and able to physically and mentally perform your duties. You will need to achieve level 5.4 on a bleep test.
No history of imprisonment or youth detention – any criminal record/conviction will need to be declared.
Location – live within 20 crow miles of a police station.
Residency – have been a UK resident for the last three years. There are some exceptions (e.g. periods of travelling/working overseas, armed forces etc.) which will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

There are some jobs which can cause a possible conflict of interest – these are known as ‘precluded occupations’. Examples include:

Bar work including door staff,
Armed Forces,
Immigration Officers.

This is not a complete list, if you would like to know more, please contact the recruitment department.

Typically, the process from initial application through to start date can take up to six months.

completion of self-assessment questionnaire,
application,
undertake the online National Sift assessment,
assessment including competency based interview and dictation test at either Sulhamstead, Berkshire or Kidlington, Oxfordshire,
provisional offer,
vetting, references and medical checks (including fitness test),
training intake start date.

Initial training is 10 whole weekends (Every other weekend) over a 5 month period – usually Friday evening to Sunday afternoon and is held at training locations to be confirmed.

Please visit our Vetting – FAQ page for more information.

Join us for a ride along

Gain valuable insight and first-hand experience of frontline policing by joining us on a ride along. If you’re thinking of applying to be an officer with Thames Valley Police then a ride along could be the perfect way to learn more about the job from the people that do it every day. Visit our Ride Along Scheme page and sign up now.

While our Specials volunteer their time in helping to keep our communities safe, we believe that nobody should find themselves out of pocket for carrying out such an important role. Therefore we are happy to cover your mileage expenses in getting to and from your place of work, as well as covering sustenance costs dependent on the duration of your shift.

Allowances are listed below and are correct as of December 2024.

Up to and including 4 hours – Nil
Over 4 hours but not exceeding 8 hours: up to £7.23
Over 8 hours but not exceeding 12 hours: up to £14.66
Over 12 hours but not exceeding 24 hours: up to £24.15
An allowance of up to £68 per two year period is also available towards the cost of suitable boots

Employer Supported Policing (ESP) is a partnership between employers, their staff and the police to support Special Constabulary duties. Employers who have an ESP scheme in place may offer additional paid leave for special constable training or duties.

To learn more about ESP, please visit our Employer Supported Policing page