Thames Valley Police
Volunteering as a Special Constable is the best way to take a stand against crime and anti-social behaviour in local communities. You have the same powers as a regular officer and you work side-by-side with them to police the streets. You will get full training and support to enable you to reach your full potential as a Special Constable. Giving up your spare time to help others will provide plenty of benefits to you too, not least the skills, experience and self – confidence you’ll develop on the front line. The minimum commitment is 18 hours a month. Is it for me? Do you like being involved with people? Are you looking for the kind of voluntary work that actually brings you into contact with basic human problems? Would you enjoy working as a responsible and respected member of a closely knit and well organised team? If so, Thames Valley Police will be glad to welcome you as a Special Constable. What will my duties be? Most of your duties will be on uniform patrol, either on foot or by car. There will also be occasions when you will be asked to assist with the policing of public events, both large and small, where you will patrol and perform traffic control duties to help maintain the safety of the public. We understand that most Special Constables have a full time occupation and that, from time to time, you will not be able to carry out duties every week. So, we ask for a minimum commitment of 18 hours per month, but it is up to you what hours you choose to work to make up that time. However, we ask that your duties are agreed in advance so the best use can be made of your valuable time. We are keen to recruit people with a wide range of skills and experiences and an understanding of cultural issues. We are particularly encouraging people to join us from black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities who are under represented in the Force. How do I apply? Before submitting an application you must complete the Special Constable Self Assessment Questionnaire. If you have any queries after completing the questionnaire please contact the recruitment team for advice. If you are eligible to apply please click on the 'Apply' button below to start your application.
Eligibility – to apply for a role as a Special Constable you must:
Please Note: You should only apply to one Special Constable vacancy at a time. Duplicate applications will be withdrawn. If you already have a live application with TVP you should not apply again. If you wish to change your posting preferences please contact the recruitment team.
If you would like to apply as a Transferee or Rejoiner, please contact the Special Constabulary Recruitment Team using the email address given below.
Recruitmentspecialco@thamesvalley.police.ukThames Valley Police reserves the right to close the vacancy early with 24 hours notice if the number of applications is likely to exceed the required number given the current vacancies. This will be done to ensure candidates who have applied can be quickly and efficiently moved through the recruitment process. Applicants who currently have (or have at a later date) a live Police Officer application with Thames Valley Police will find that their Specials application will be withdrawn. We are looking to recruit to specified Local Policing Areas (LPA) only and as such applicants are required to live within 20 crow miles of a police station within that LPA. Applications will not be progressed from applicants who live more than 20 crow miles away. If you do not live within 20 crow miles and believe you have a valid reason to be considered e.g. moving to the area, please contact the Recruitment Team for advice before applying. Once you have applied for the role you will need to check the e-recruit system on a regular basis for updates on your application.If you are already employed by Thames Valley Police you must have passed your probationary period in order to undertake the additional role of Special Constable. Applications will be withdrawn if applicants are unable to meet the above eligibility criteria.
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 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. 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 You. We 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.
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.
