Special Constable; Volunteer Police Officer

Overview

Vacancy Information
Are you ready to take on a unique and rewarding challenge? As a Special Constable, you’ll volunteer alongside our police constables to fight crime, protect people and build trust within our communities. This is more than just a volunteer role – it’s your chance to make a real impact while gaining valuable skills, experience and a sense of pride that comes from serving others.

Following completion of your initial training course, we ask for a minimum commitment of 16 volunteering hours per month. This is a long‑term voluntary role and we encourage all applicants to consider the time and dedication required before applying.

Chief Constables  Message
We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe. We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference.

If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you. We wish you all the very best with your application.

The Role

Our Special Constables are volunteer police officers who come from all walks of life, but share one thing in common: a commitment to fighting crime and protecting people. Whether you’re looking to give back to your community, gain unique life experience, or explore a future in policing, this is your opportunity to step into a unique voluntary role.

Based in our eleven boroughs and within specialist teams, our Special Constables wear the same uniform, hold the same powers and carry the same responsibilities as our regular (paid) police officers.

There’s no such thing as a typical shift, but you will find yourself:

• Responding to 999 emergency calls
• Patrolling local neighbourhoods
• Conducting house-to-house enquiries
• Preserving crime scenes
• Presenting evidence in court

It’s challenging, unpredictable and incredibly rewarding. The hours you volunteer will make a real difference to the public of Surrey, and you will gain unique experiences that you are unlikely to encounter elsewhere.

To prepare you for the role, you’ll complete a 14‑week training course, which includes:

• One evening session per week
• Alternate weekend sessions (Saturday & Sunday)

The course is intensive and covers everything from policing powers to conflict resolution. Once complete, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and skills you need to begin your policing journey. You’ll then be expected to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month to maintain your operational competence.

As you grow in experience and confidence, you may be invited to develop additional skills within areas such as UAV (drones), roads policing and public order.

We are seeking individuals with the commitment, integrity and resilience required to serve as Special Constables. Successful candidates will bring clear communication, sound judgement under pressure and the ability to manage conflict with composure. Confident and reliable, you’ll be able to handle diverse situations with empathy and professionalism.

Special Constables are afforded the same legal powers and responsibilities as paid Police Constables. Accordingly, they are held to the same high standards of conduct and public service. You must therefore demonstrate your values are consistent with the principles outlined in our Policing Code of Ethics which can be found here
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There are several key criteria you'll need to meet before applying to become a Special Constable; these can be found in our Special Constable Recruitment Guide
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As a Special Constable you’ll gain first‑hand experience in policing while playing an active part in keeping your community safe and supporting local officers. Along the way, you’ll develop valuable, transferable skills such as communication, decision‑making, and problem‑solving that will benefit both your policing role and your personal growth. With access to continuous training and professional…