Special Constable Opportunity as Part of Our Policing Courses

What is a Special Constable and what are the benefits of applying for it whilst at the University?

A Special Constable is a voluntary position that has the opportunity to open doors to roles in the Police. The role provides practical opportunities so that you are better prepared for getting into the careers of your choice once you graduate.

Special Constables act as volunteer police officers and have identical powers to acting police officers.

The usual process is that you have 20 weeks of training, however, our policing lecturers at the University of Chester have built in aspects of this training into our curriculum so you can be a special constable within three months instead of the usual five.

Chester is one of the only universities in the United Kingdom to work with our local constabulary to set up an opportunity like this for our students. 

How can I get involved?

You will have to make an application to become a Special Constable and, if you’re successful, you will be accepted to interview.

The University invites Cheshire Police to come onto campus to conduct these interviews and provides preparation guidance sessions for the application process, as well as interview preparation sessions. You will be offered a conditional offer if you are successful in your interview.

You would then go through vetting, medical, and pre-employment checks at the Police Headquarters in Winsford, where your initial training will take place if you’re accepted into the programme.

Why is this something I should be interested in?  

Although you won't be paid, your training and duties will give you:

• unique experiences in the field
• new and valuable skills
• the ability to demonstrate to future employers that you have enthusiasm to get involved in supporting the police
• policing interview experience
• examples of acting as a representative of the police for future interviews after graduation
• a tremendous sense of achievement of doing something worthwhile for your community

You can engage with this programme at any point in your studies, from your first year to your final year.

Volunteering as a Special Constable is easily manageable to balance with your studies. You complete your training often alongside your fellow students and Cheshire Police ask that you devote 4.25 hours per week or more if you can.

Although you would start contributing immediately, there is a structured training programme to ensure you are competent and confident in performing your duties. As a volunteer police officer, you would need to contribute at least 16 hours per month, but at a time that fits into your life as policing is 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Make sure to check out our Degree in Professional Policing to see how you can apply for a degree that prepares you for your future.

For more information about the Special Constable role, check out Cheshire Constabulary’s website.