Do you or does someone you know have what it takes to become a Special Constable? If so recruitment is now open.

Special constables are volunteer police officers who have the same powers and wear the same uniform as regular officers.

Assistant Chief Constable Gavin Williams, Wiltshire Police lead for Citizens in Policing, said: “We are looking for members of the public to take up this unique volunteer role in support of policing across our local communities.

“The public play a key role in policing, and through volunteering enrich policing with skills and experience from business and industry.”

Special constables are part of our Community Policing Teams, and in a role which takes volunteering to another level, Specials are part of the fabric of policing, and an integral and valued part of our Force.

Superintendent Adrian Burt who leads Community Policing in Swindon said: “We welcome special constables as part of our Community Policing Teams, we have a one team approach working together to protect the community, and special constables are important part of this.

“Specials are very much part of our police family, with officers and staff support Specials through their training, to gain experience and developing within the role.”

As with all volunteering roles members of the public volunteer with the Special Constabulary for a number of reasons whether that is to give back to their community, build personal skills or to gain experience to progress in a career in policing the Special Constabulary can give you the opportunity to develop and learn in a volunteer role unlike any other.

Leanne Homewood Citizens in Policing Supervisor said: “We are asking members of the public who might be interested in the role to register their interest online, and complete the eligibility checks to see if this could be a role for them.

“We understand that a 12 week training process followed by giving 16 hours month to policing is a big commitment, so we will be inviting those who are successful in the online registration and eligibility checks to attend an open evening. Here they will have the opportunity to find out more about the role, meet other Specials and truly understand the commitment and training required.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson, continues to support and champion the Special Constabulary said: “I am a real advocate for volunteering as through my role I get to see the impact it has on individuals and communities.
“Volunteering in policing plays a particularly important role, it allows the public and community to directly feed in to and influence how we police in Wiltshire, whether that is through the Independent Advisory Groups, volunteer roles or Special Constabulary.

“Specials allow us to develop closer links with our communities and help us truly reflect the communities we serve.

“I would encourage anyone who is considering volunteering or think about a career in policing to consider becoming a Special Constable with Wiltshire Police.”

Special Constables carry out a range of roles including:

  • Responding to calls for assistance from the public, recording and investigating crime and helping the community to resolve local issues.
  • Carrying out mobile and foot patrols, seeking to reassure the public and proactively working towards preventing and detecting offences
  • Taking statements from victims and witnesses
  • Arresting and detaining suspects and gathering evidence to enable the fair and just prosecution of offenders.

The Special Constabulary is open for recruitment until 12 noon on Tuesday 16 April 2019, applications start with online registration and eligibility, a behaviour test and situational judgement test, which if you are successful you will be invited to an information evening to find out more about the role before formally applying.

For more information about the Special Constabulary and to apply visit https://specials.wiltshire.police.uk/