A Special Constable is a member of The Special Constabulary, which is the part-time volunteer section of the statutory police force in the UK. Special Constables (Specials) have all of the legal powers of their full time colleges.
Popularity
The strength of the special constabulary in England and Wales is approximately 13,000 members.
Location
Every United Kingdom territorial police force has a special constabulary except the Police Service of Northern Ireland, which has a Reserve force instead.
Age
Most police forces will appoint Special Constables from the age of 18½ yrs at the time of acceptance onto the training course.
Ability
Requirements for being a special constable varying from force to force. Applicants must pass a security check, a medical assessment and some forces now require a fitness test, which may or may not be as strict as that given to regulars.
Description
Within recent years the role of Special Constables has changed dramatically, they are now increasingly used alongside their regular colleagues to perform almost all police duties. As well as patrol duties, they often take part in response duties and specials often police events such as sports matches, carnivals, parades and fete's. While this event policing is the stereotypical image of a Special Constable, it only represents one of the wide range of duties undertaken.
Dedication
Special Constables usually work for a minimum of 16 hours per month (or 200 per year), although many do considerably more.
Potential
Many Special Constables have taken the opportunity to join specialist teams within their constabularies such as marine support, dog units and roads policing.
Closely
Related Activities
Other closely related voluntary community minded activities include; Part time Fire Brigade 256, Coast Guard 115, Red Cross 311, St John Ambulance 314.
Cost
Special Constables receive some expenses and allowances from the police service, but their work is otherwise voluntary and unpaid.
Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.
Energy |
Arms
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Legs
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Sight
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Hearing
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Speech |
Learning |
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