Questions and Answers

You may still be eligible to join the police service if you have minor convictions/cautions, but there are certain offences and conditions that will make you ineligible. This includes anyone who has received a formal caution in the last five years, committed a violent crime or public order offence. When making our decisions we are guided by National Policing Improvement Agency Circular 01/2010. You can view this document on the NPIA website.

No, there is no minimum or maximum height limit

You can still apply to become a police officer as long as you are a citizen from the European Economic Area (EEA), Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your stay in the United Kingdom. In accordance with Home Office guidance and the Association of Chief Police Officers' National Vetting Policy, candidates are reminded that they must have been continually resident in the UK for the three year period immediately before an application is made. This is to satisfy the requirement to vet all applicants in an equitable manner and the UK Police service does not currently have any means of facilitating vetting checks overseas, to the extent required of those who have been resident in the UK. Applicants who cannot be vetted, cannot be appointed.

Special constables do not get paid as they work on a voluntary basis. You will however be able to claim back any expenses incurred.

Uniforms for special constables are exactly the same as police officer uniforms, except their epaulettes will be marked SC (Special Constable) instead of PC (Police Constable).

Once Special Constables have completed the appropriate training, they are able to drive unmarked (plain) police cars. The driving of marked cars is permitted after further advanced training is completed.

If you are successful in the assessment centre stage of recruitment you will undergo a Health Check, and unless your asthma is severe, it will not affect your application.

If you successfully reach the medical examination stage of recruitment, you will have to undergo an eye test. New recruits must have at least 6/12 vision in their right or left eye, or at least 6/6 vision in both eyes. Those who wear glasses, spectacles or contact lenses must have at least 6/36 vision in both eyes without wearing their glasses, spectacles or contact lenses. Further details can be found at http://policerecruitment.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/hoc-25-20032835.pdf

• Give something back to your local community and learn more about the area.
• Learn new and useful skills and develop your character.
• Provide valuable support to regular police officers and police staff.
• Discover first-hand what it's like to work with the police.
• Meet new people and build lasting friendships.
• Enjoy the outdoors by going out on patrol.
• Develop self-respect and self-confidence.
• Embark on a fresh, exciting and varied challenge.
• Gain experience in preparation for applying to become a regular police officer.
• Claim out of pocket expenses including travel.

Members of some occupations are excluded, such as:

• Armed forces
• Security officers
• Traffic wardens / Parking attendants
• Legal profession
• Private detectives
• PCSO's
• Highway Agency officers

In short, any occupation in which the powers of a Special Constable could be used to some advantage, or conflict with professional duties. A full list can be found on this link http://policerecruitment.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/npia-01-20112835.pdf

Yes. The Working Time Directive is applicable to voluntary work as well as your employment. There are benefits for your employer which includes supporting their local community. Call us for information if you're an employer who wants to know more

The majority stay in the Special Constabulary to give many years of valuable service to the community. Some Special Constables find that they enjoy policing and go on to become regular, full-time Police Officers. The training and experience from being a Special Constable will stand you in good stead both in preparing your application and at the interview.

Yes. This may be in normal work time. The majority of employers are flexible in accommodating this. Your employers will complete a form outlining your loss of earnings and this will ensure that Gwent Police pay for any time spent in court.

Yes, you may choose to work anywhere within the Gwent Police area where there are Special vacancies. Most Special Constables choose to work either close to their place of work, within their own community or the next town/village.

We aim to process applications as quickly and efficiently as possible and will keep applicants informed at all stages of the process

It is Gwent Police's current recruitment policy to obtain both current and previous employment and full-time education references for the last three years. If you have limited employment references we will also take up personal references. All references state you are applying to be a Special Constable.

You will be expected to meet a performance standard to that of a regular Police Officer

Gwent Police are also looking for Police Support Volunteers. We give individuals the opportunity to use their skills, experience and local knowledge to make a positive contribution in their community by supporting our work.