Volunteer Police Officer (Special Constable) as part of the Foundation Degree in Policing (September 2017 entry)

Neighbourhood Policing and Partnerships
Aylesbury Vale, High Wycombe, Oxford
Voluntary Role
As and when required
18 hours per month
Volunteer
This vacancy is for applicants starting in September 2017 only.

Thank you for considering applying to Thames Valley Police (TVP) as a Special Constable as part of a Foundation Degree (Arts) in Policing (FdA) starting in September 2017.

There are few, if any, voluntary organisations which offer the variety of experience you will find in the Special Constabulary. As a Special Constable you will work in partnership with regular officers to reduce crime, disorder and the fear of crime in our community.

TVP will be seeking to recruit a significant percentage of its future Police Officers from graduates of Foundation Degrees in Policing (where they meet national standards and involve both academic learning and practical application as a Special Constable). The above presents an opportunity, when TVP are recruiting for Police Officers, for graduates to apply to become a Police Officer. They will be able to enjoy a shortened application process and if successful, will be deployed to operational policing units significantly sooner than regular applicants as skills and knowledge gained through the FdA will be recognised.

Thames Valley Police is currently working with two specific, local universities to deliver this new method: Bucks New University (High Wycombe Campus and Aylesbury Vale Campus) and Oxford Brookes University (City of Oxford Campus).

Courses have been jointly designed between the universities and TVP to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills required for an operational police role. A requirement of these local FdA courses is that you become a Special Constable in Thames Valley Police.

You should be aware, as future vacancy needs are difficult to predict, there is no guarantee that TVP will provide an appointment as a Police officer at the completion of the Foundation Degree process.

Please note you will need your UCAS number and be able to indicate which universities you have applied for when completing your application. Applying for the role of Special Constable is not an application to the Foundation Degree with any of the universities; you will need to make a separate application through UCAS to the university of your choice before you apply to join Thames Valley Police.

You are strongly advised to read the application guidance and the pre eligibility pack before starting an application which can be found under application guidance.

Please Note:
1. Information about your Special Constabulary application will be shared with the University of your choice and vice versa. This is necessary to progress your application in this joint process.
2. Thames Valley Police (TVP) and the University recruitment processes will run in parallel with each other but may not conclude simultaneously. It is, therefore, possible that you may not have completed the TVP recruitment process by the time you need to confirm your university choices. If you are unsuccessful or have not passed all recruitment checks by the July prior to your university start date you will not be able to become a Special Constable during the degree course and you will be ineligible for this Foundation Degree in Policing. In this event each university may offer their own alternative courses but you will need to confirm arrangements with your chosen university.
3. Post interview checks / clearances must be completed within six months of your start date (effectively the 01 September) as a Special Constable. This means if you pass your interview prior to the 01 March there may be a delay before we progress your application further to avoid clearances going out of date.

Thames Valley Police will only process your Special Constable application, we are unable to offer any guidance on your university choices or application.

If you have any queries, please telephone the recruiting department on 0845 2 66 66 77 (Option 4) or email FdPolicing@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk.

Competency Based Questions advice

Your answers will be used to decide whether your application will proceed to the next stage. Remember this is a formal application for an important and responsible position and we are looking for evidence of the qualities you have or may develop to enable you to carry out the role of Special Constable.

When answering the questions it is useful to refer to the key competencies required of a Special Constable. It has been found that applicants who take their time to answer the questions, structure their answers to cover all the points required and provide honest, relevant answers are more likely to be successful.

In all parts of the form, please write clearly and concisely, paying attention to your spelling and grammar. You are being assessed throughout this application form for your written skills.

If you leave a question blank, it is unlikely you will pass. Applications that contain any material which is not original and accurate may be discontinued.

At Thames Valley Police (TVP) we work together to protect our communities.  Whether as an officer, staff member or volunteer, you will make a difference and play an important role in helping achieve our mission.  As you take on a role with pride and confidence, you will be supported, developed and valued, ensuring you can be at your best in the service of our communities. Learn more About Us.

Working Smart.  You will be joining an organisation that strives to improve every day.  In the post-pandemic era this means changing the way we work and deliver our services, which brings a number of benefits including a more flexible and capable workforce. 

Supporting You.  Your wellbeing and safety is at the heart of all we do.  Whilst you are doing the work that matters, we’ll be supporting you via a wide range of Wellbeing services, partnerships and initiatives.  We have a number of active staff support networks and buddy schemes which you will have access to and can be involved with.  We also offer a comprehensive range of benefits and discount schemes, some provided directly by the organisation and others via partnerships including Blue Light card.  Learn more about how we will be Supporting You.

Developing YouWe promote a culture where your continuous professional development and learning is actively encouraged and where people have the opportunity, and responsibility, to achieve their full potential. 

Valuing Difference.  We are committed to building a workforce that better reflects the communities we serve and an inclusive culture that not only values, but finds strength in difference.  Learn more about how we are Valuing Difference.    

Vetting.  All posts require a level of Police Vetting as per the National Vetting Code of Practice. The residency requirement is necessary to enable all applicants to be checked in an equitable manner. Thames Valley Police will allow applicants to apply who do not necessarily reach the criteria as long as they have proven UK residency and supporting evidence where necessary. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

This opportunity is closed to applications.