Vacancy Information

Are you ready to take on a unique and rewarding challenge? 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.

They have the same powers as regular Police Constables, wear the same uniform and carry the same equipment.

As a Special Constable you’ll volunteer alongside our Police Constables to protect our communities, catch criminals and deliver an outstanding service. 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

There’s no such thing as a “typical” shift, it can be very challenging but equally rewarding and the hours you volunteer will make a difference to the people of Sussex. Just some of the things you’ll find yourself doing are responding to 999 emergency calls, patrolling local neighbourhoods, assisting at the scene of accidents, enforcing road safety initiatives, policing major events, tackling anti-social behaviour preserving crime scenes and supporting victims.

There will be a lot for you to learn to prepare you for the role, currently the training consists of 16 alternate weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and 16 alternate Wednesday evenings, however this is currently under review. These are mix of face to face and virtual sessions. Unfortunately due to the amount of learning required there is no flexibility to miss a day so please bear this in mind.

The dates for our 2026/2027 intakes will be confirmed in due course.

Successful applicants will be required to complete an initial training course, covering 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.

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.

Chief Constable Tim De Meyer & Chief Constable Jo Shiner

The Role and Key Responsibilities

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.

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.

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.

When you join Sussex Police, you become part of our policing family - we are with you each step of the way.

Skills & Experience

To apply for the role, you will:

• Be aged 18 years or over when applying. There is no upper age limit.
• Hold a GCSE or equivalent (A*-C) in English (or higher qualification). If you do not have this you can undertake a skills test English level – if you meet the level 2 standard your application will be allowed to continue.
• Have lived in the UK for three continuous years, immediately prior to application.
• Have leave to enter or leave to remain and work in the UK for an indefinite period.
• Not be a member of the British National Party (BNP) or other relevant organisations, such as Combat 18 or The National Front.
• Be able to volunteer at least 16 hours a month.
• Not have tattoos which can be seen as discriminatory, violent or intimidating or could be offensive.
• Not have 6 or more penalty points on your driving license within three years prior to the application date. (You do not need a driving license to apply)
• There are a number of jobs that are considered incompatible with the role of special constable. To be sure that your current employment will not prevent your application from proceeding please see below or contact us at recruitment@sussex.police.uk

Why Work With Us?

As a Special Constable you’ll gain first-hand experience in policing. Contributing to 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 development, you’ll expand your operational competence and build your confidence throughout your policing journey.

We will reimburse any travel expenses you may incur whilst volunteering and there is a meal allowance. We also have recognition schemes in place for us to formally show our appreciation for your service.

Employee Assistance Programme for advice and counselling, Chaplaincy support, Mental Health First Aiders, Diffusers for post-incident trauma support.

Access to discounts, savings and cash back rewards. Sports clubs, on-site gyms and activities.

Support networks and advice for members from staff associations. We also cover the cost of Police Federation fees for Special Constables.

Further Information

For full details on becoming a Special Constable, please read our Special Constable Recruitment Guide (see attachment). We recommend reviewing the eligibility criteria carefully before applying, as only candidates who meet all requirements can be considered.

We’re also hosting an online information evenings on Thursday 8th January 2026 and Thursday 22nd January 2026. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from serving Special Constables and learn more about the role - secure your place by signing up here.

• Sussex Police Special Constabulary webinar Tickets, Thu, Jan 8, 2026 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite
• Sussex Police Special Constabulary webinar Tickets, Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people.  It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read our full anti-racism statement here.

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Please use the following links to find out more on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at Surrey Police and Sussex Police

Additional Information

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly.  You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

Attachments

• precluded_occupations_-_special_recruitment.pdf