PoliceSpecials.com - Questions and answers

Specials rely quite a lot on the goodwill of their employers - when I was a Special I was very lucky to have an extremely understanding employer (which in turn made me a happy employee - makes sense to me, why aren't more employers like this?)

Specials can be "called out" in case of emergency but don't have to attend if work commitments or whatever stop it. The only time they MUST attend is in time of war when Specials could be called up full time to supplement the regular force, in which case I guess all bets are off anyway.

I was advised when I first started to never arrange to do anything less than two hours after the planned end of my shift, just in case. So it's up to the officer to arrange their duties to avoid conflicts with work, wherever possible.

I have a couple of friends who used to be specials and loved every minute and have both now joined up as regulars. I am toying with the idea of becoming a SC as I find police work very interesting and varied. The only thing that is holding me back is my lack of confidence. I have it all inside me but it doesn't always come out. I know it would be a big confidence builder, but shouldn't I possess it from the start?

Well you certainly don't come across as hesitant or lacking confidence in your email - in fact asking for help/advice from me - a stranger - shows a certain amount of confidence right there.

No-one feels fully confident the first time they start doing duties as a police officer - how can they?! It's the fear of the unknown and the responsibility that makes you feel that way... in fact even after all the years I've worked as a Special (and now as a Regular) there are still times when I don't feel confident. But what I have to fall back on is my training and the back-up of colleagues and you will be the same.

Being a Special will place you in situations where you will need to summon your confidence and take control of a situation, so you are right, it will be a sure confidence builder. I would say go for it, if you're at all worried raise it during the assessment/interview stage and see what the officers say. Personally from the tone of your question I think you will be absolutely fine!

What is the situation for an employer releasing an employee to serve as a special constable and then that special getting injured and being forced to take time off work. The Special is covered by the Constabulary's Employer's Liability for any injury. Are the Constabulary liable however to pay the employer his expenses in finding new staff etc.?

Firstly, an employer is not bound to release the employee to serve time in the Specials unless it's a time of war and the Specials have been called up to go full time. Otherwise the Special typically needs to do duties, etc. on their own time.

I very much doubt that a claim against a police force for an employer's expenses in finding new staff or whatever would be successful. It would be like an employer suing a swimming pool if the employee got injured there while swimming at the weekend - the employee is undertaking these activities on their own time and at their own risk, much like being a Special.

I am 20 years of age and want to join the Specials, and then I would like to become a regular officer in due course. My question is about the paperwork, my reading and writing is not 100%. I was wondering if this would go against me?

There is - sadly - quite a lot of paperwork involved in police work and the ability to read and write well is a requirement... having said that provided you can make yourself understood in writing you shouldn't have a problem - perfect spelling is not an absolute requirement. So unless your reading and writing is really bad it shouldn't stop you becoming a Special. Most forces use the police initial recruitment (PIR) test these days which will pick up problems with reading/writing. You can get a book to help with this test, it might be worth a look.

I have been very interested in becoming a Special for a long time however this year I'm going to University to study politics. The Devon & Cornwall Constabulary website states that people actively involved in politics are precluded from the Police Force!!! Shouldn't really be a problem, should it? It's not as if I would arrest only Liberal Democrat voters or something! I am seeking a career in politics, but not until a long way after university.

The fact that you are studying a politics degree isn't going to stop you becoming a Special. Police forces are more worried about political activists becoming officers - in this case they could be accused of no longer being impartial, or may be tempted to use their police powers inappropriately in some way. You would have to give up being a Special if you became politically active - i.e. more than just being a member of a political party, for example running for local or national office.

A BTP Special has told me that he is a member of a political party, and disclosed this on his application form. Although he offered to resign his political membership, his force didn't think it was necessary - as police officers are supposed to reflect the diversity of the community, this was no problem whatsoever.

Are all officers issued some sort of body armour for protection against knives etc., or is this limited to the specialised units only. If it's not generally issued, not why not?! And should I buy my own?

Most forces now issue stab vests (also known as body armour) to their Specials. This is either in a "pool" (i.e. you borrow one then put it back), or on personal issue. The majority of police forces now require their officers to wear stab vests all the time. Others leave it up to their officers to decide if they want to wear them - in which case officers might choose to take a stab vest out "just in case".

Even though stab vests can be uncomfortable and hot, they are a necessary evil these days. When I was a Special I was at a job where the offender pulled a knife on me (well actually, 5 knives, it's a long story). That sort of thing is still fairly rare, but getting more common. Body armour is also handy if you're in a fight - they stop you getting quite so battered and bruised!

I'm due to start training as a Special soon and so far nobody has mentioned footwear! What is the policy regarding footwear and what shoes/boots would you recommend?

Forces used to pay an annual "boot allowance" of �30, but this has now been phased out. Forces either leave it up to you to choose and buy boots, for which you reclaim the cost through expenses, or they issue you with a pair of boots.

If you're left to choose your own, or you don't like the boots you're issued with, then apart from some basic rules (shoes must be all black, sturdy, waterproof, good ankle support, comfortable, warm, and ideally shiny!), it's up to you what you wear.

Every officer has a different view on this - I wore DM's (Doctor Marten's) for about 10 years of my service and loved them, but then I switched to Magnums which are even better. But it's absolutely down to personal choice.

For some other viewpoints, take a look in our forum and do a search on "footwear" or "boots" - this is a fairly common topic of discussion!

I'm an ex-special constable - I resigned in January 1997, recently I have reapplied to join the specials but they have turned me down, what might be the reason? I haven't got a clue why - I'm still squeaky clean, no offences, nothing.

That's very strange! I had a break of 18 months and reapplied - when they saw my application in the pile, the recruitment officer (who remembered me), made sure I was back in like a shot. Which is pretty much what you'd expect - if you were accepted before and nothing has changed, why should they not accept you again?

Are you still in touch with any of your mates who are still serving specials? If so perhaps ask them to make some discreet enquiries to see what's up. Maybe they made a mistake? The only thing I can think of is that one of your relatives has been in some trouble with the law, that might affect things. Failing that, you could try writing to the force (maybe even the Chief), explain what's happened and ask if the reason for your rejection is something you can resolve or not.

Is it true that British Transport Police are now recruiting Specials, and if so, what do they do?

Yes, it's true - the BTP only started recruiting SC's in 1999. As you are probably aware, the BTP are the national Police Force for the Railways, and do everything that a Home Office force does, but in the Railway environment. Increasingly given the pressures of work on county forces, BTP assists them too.

The main difference between the Special Constabulary in the BTP and that of a county force is jurisdiction. County force SC's are empowered to act as a constable in the Police force area where they serve, and in the adjacent force areas. BTP SC's can police anywhere in England and Wales.

Generally, the BTP's jurisdiction is restricted to being in, on or in the vicinity of the Railway, and elsewhere in connection with railway matters. Under the new emergency legislation passed post September 11th however, the BTP can also exercise their powers as constables elsewhere when asked to do so by a Police officer in a home office force, or when called upon by a member of the public, or if a crime is being committed. This basically doesn't change the fact that the BTP are still the railway police, but means that they can legally assist other officers away from the railway.

BTP's main priorities in day to day policing are to maintain a safe and secure environment for the travelling public. This includes getting involved in public disorder policing. Particularly with fans travelling to/from sporting fixtures, often while under the influence of large quantities of alcohol! The BTP are specialists in anti terrorism activities, second only to the Met, as half of all IRA terrorist attacks on the mainland were targeted at the Railway network.

You can find more information on the BTP website. Many thanks to Darren Cawthorne (an ex-BTP Special and now a regular PC) for this detailed answer.

I am trying to join the Specials, but my application has been turned down due to me having been on anti-depressants. Although I am off them, the application has still been rejected. I have spoken to the force, who have advised me to write in and explain my case - my GP is writing a letter also to say I am fit and able. Can you see any other ways I can try and get them to reconsider?

Sorry to hear you've had problems getting accepted... the thing is, police forces can refuse to accept people for all sorts of reasons and it sounds like you've fallen foul of this. It sounds like the best course of action is the one you are taking, get your doctor to confirm you're fit and healthy and able to perform the job of constable. I can't think of any other way, at the end of the day if they won't reconsider that's the end of the matter, there's no way to appeal. (postscript - this candidate was eventually accepted by his chosen force).

Would you recommend the special constabulary to anyone studying at university? I am planning on studying at university and live at home nearby, I would like to become a special with a hope of joining the regulars after I have completed my degree.

Well I have known over the years a number of Specials who were students... in my experience they tend to fall by the wayside sooner rather than later as the "demands" of college take priority! However provided you can commit to the hours (16 a month minimum in most forces) and the training then I don't see why not. Might cramp your style a bit though!!

Your website has provided me with lots of useful information and I have applied to Surrey Special Constabulary. I'm hoping to be posted to either Epsom or Banstead, I haven't decided yet as I'm weighing up the pros and cons of going to a large station with a densely populated area against a smaller station in slightly more rural surroundings. I suppose I would probably be able to gain more experience at Epsom. Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated!!

Unfortunately I can't really give you much specific advice about either of those nicks as I don't know them or the area. Generally, large towns will give you the best variety (not surprisingly) although if you work Friday and Saturday nights all you'll get is public order (fights) which gets a bit boring after a while. A rural posting is going to be less busy but you might find a better balance in the sort of jobs you get.

See if you can get in touch with some of the Specials at either nick and ask their advice - just give the Section Officer a call - your training officers should be able to give you their details and/or help you decide.

Has being a special ever made you a target for abuse or harassment whilst off-duty? And can you choose where to work?

I never suffered any sort of abuse or harassment off duty (lots on duty!) when I was a Special. But then I didn't live where I work so the chances of coming across any of the idiots I dealt with were reduced. You can choose where you work, yes - you can't be posted all over like the regulars can.

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