Special Constable Opportunities with Kent Police

Special constables are volunteer police officers, they take part in front line police work and wear the same uniform, carry the same equipment and hold the same power of arrest as regular police officers. Kent Police are looking for teaching and education professionals to join their amazing team of Special Constables – could this be you?

As a special constable you'll make a positive difference to the people of Kent supporting regular police officers, undertaking patrols and investigating reports of crime. The most important part of your job will be to protect life and ensure public safety, but you'll also build relationships with local communities, prevent and detect crime, support victims and witnesses and keep people safe. 

Becoming a special constable offers many benefits for both personal and professional development. Many special constables tell us that the experiences and training they receive has increased their self-confidence and in their workplace, they are better listeners, stronger negotiators and can be more objective in situations. Three quarters of volunteers say volunteering has made them feel physically healthier and lowered their stress levels which not only benefits you, but your organisation too. Staff who are special constables are widely regarded by employers as being more committed, dependable, confident, and responsible in the workplace.

You can volunteer at times which fit around your life and commitments – Kent Police will make your shifts work for you. Many specials who work within the education sector choose to complete their required hours during the school holidays.

Training will include both classroom and on-the-job training where you will gain valuable practical experience, which will prepare you for the role. You will work towards achieving the ‘Special Constables Learning Programme’ (SCLP), which is part of the Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF).

There are two training options:

1) Intensive training - this will take place over four weeks during summer 2024. The training will run Monday to Friday and may suit those who do not work during the summer such as those from within the education sector and students.

2) Weekend training - that takes place every other weekend.

Charlotte Beamish, a primary school teacher and sergeant in the Special Constabulary shares her experiences of volunteering with Kent Police and juggling her day job with Kent-Teach:

"My main motivation for joining the specials was because I wanted to help people. I had time on my hands, and I wanted to utilise that time effectively. I like helping people, my day job shows that as well. I wanted to give back to my community and I thought the Special Constabulary was the way to do that.

My job role as a primary school teacher allows me to commit quite a lot of hours. During the summer holidays I managed to do 175 hours and commit that to Kent, Canterbury, which is where I’m based.

I have benefited from being a special in many ways. Professionally, it’s helped me in my day job as I’ve been able to use my knowledge of things that I learn and the conversations that I’ve had. Ultimately, I see things behind the scenes more as a special than I ever do as a teacher. Personally, I have benefited through the confidence that it’s built and the friendships that I’ve made along the way.

You can’t compare that feeling of knowing that even just a few words helped someone to make their life a bit better. Communication is key in both parts of my job, whether that’s my day job as a teacher or my role as a special and those skills are continuously growing. I’d probably say in terms of developing those skills, when out as a special, I deal with a lot more confrontation so it’s being able to use those skills and apply them in different ways to deescalate any situation, hopefully find out what’s gone on and make sure everybody is safe. I’ve been able to have lengthy conversations with parents who may not necessarily understand certain aspects of it being a school issue to deal with or a parenting issue to deal with.

The best advice I could give anyone who is thinking about joining the specials, is just to do it. It might seem like there’s a lot of work involved, there’s a reason for that, it’s not like any other voluntary job. It’s not something you can just turn up to and not come back to. However, the support that’s in place for us is amazing, the people you will meet, you’ll make lifelong friends. At the end of the day, you’re making a difference in your community and to the people around you. My biggest advice would be just do it!"

If you are interested in becoming a Special Constable you can find more information, eligibility criteria and start your application on the Kent Police website or read the latest job advert for Special Constables via Kent-Teach.