Recruitment for Special Constables for Dorset Police is open until 6th April 2026 and applications are via the Dorset Police website: Special Constables - Who, What, How and Why - Working in Partnership
Special Constables are voluntary police officers with the same powers as regular officers, under the command of regular senior officers and with their own rank structure.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Specials take part in frontline police work. They can spend much of their time on the streets, doing intelligence-based patrols in crime hotspots or taking part in crime-prevention initiatives.
It is also extremely varied, and you could easily find yourself doing any of the following:
Ensuring public safety
- Assisting at the scene of accidents, fires or incidents – helping control situations, ensuring people are safe.
- Providing security and crowd control at major public events – preventing injuries and disorder.
Preventing crime
- Carrying out high-visibility foot patrols to deter and detect criminals.
- Educating businesses and the community about crime and how to avoid it to reduce crime and people's fear of it happening.
- Talking to schoolchildren about crime reduction and community safety to help them stay safe and make the right choices.
Tackling crime
- Confronting anti-social behaviour on the streets such as gangs or intimidating behaviour.
- Managing alcohol-related incidents such as public drunkenness or violence.
- Enforcing road safety laws in local communities.
Investigating crime
- Conducting house-to-house enquiries to gather information and support larger enquiries.
- Taking part in police operations to disrupt and arrest offenders.
Securing convictions
- Presenting evidence in court to support the justice system in prosecuting offenders.
Please note that you need to have lived in the UK for at least 3 years in order to be eligible to apply for any role in the Police.
Benefits to self
Being a special constable offers significant personal benefits, including developing transferable skills like leadership, communication, and conflict resolution, alongside increased self-confidence and a sense of achievement. Volunteers gain unique, hands-on experience in policing with full training
Benefits to others
Special Constables provide immense value to the community by volunteering as fully warranted police officers who increase police visibility, enhance safety, and build trust. They tackle anti-social behaviour, support victims, bolster emergency response, and foster stronger and safer neighbourhoods.
Location
Various locations around Dorset available (initial training will be at Ferndown police station)
Training available
Special Constables receive comprehensive training (often 13–19+ weeks) consisting of classroom, online, and practical, hands-on sessions to gain full police powers, including First Aid, Personal Safety Training (PST), and legal knowledge. Training aligns with the Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF), covering response, community, and roads policing.
Hours per week
16 hours per month minimum
Transport details
All travel expenses, including mileage, will be reimbursed.