Special Constables

We are currently recruiting.

Do you want to contribute or help improve your local community? Are you aged between 18 and 58 years, and able to give a minimum of 60 hours per year? Are you interested in being a Special Constable in Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary?

If you answered yes to these three simple questions then apply to us today by emailing, telephoning or writing to us for an application pack!

Learning and Development
Police Headquarters
Cornwall Mount
Dumfries
DG1 1PZ
Telephone: 0845 600 5701
Email us

The Special Constabulary is a volunteer body that work alongside the regular force in the delivery of policing to the communities of Dumfries and Galloway. You, as a Special Constable, would receive training that will equip you with the knowledge and skills to work alongside regular officers and provide the highest standards of policing. Apart from the challenges and excitement of being a Special Constable you will achieve a great deal of satisfaction in helping the public and making our communities safer. Each Special Constable who meets or exceeds a set criteria of hours is eligible for a payment through the Special Constables Reward Scheme.

To be a Special Constable you must be a British citizen, a member of the EU or other states in the EEA, a Commonwealth citizen or a foreign national free of restrictions. You should also either have been in the UK for a minimum of the past three years or have verifiable confirmation that you have no criminal convictions in any of the countries you have previously resided in that would exclude you from applying.

What's Involved in Joining

Having submitted your application form to us you will be invited to sit the Standard Entrance Test, which is divided into two parts, namely, number and language. You must pass both parts, however three attempts are allowed at passing these tests.

If you are worried about passing this test you should look at the Police Practice Papers website, where further practice papers are available alongside tips and advice on passing these tests.

Candidates who are successful in passing these tests will then undertake an assessment day. The assessment day includes of group discussions, assessment exercises and a panel interview.

On you passing the interview you will then be asked to return for a fitness test.

A full medical examination is then carried out by the police surgeon at Police Headquarters in Dumfries.

After the medical, vetting procedure will take place through both police and public sources and you should be aware that ‘The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975’ provides that the Act shall not apply to the police service and therefore spent convictions must be revealed by the perspective candidate during the recruitment and vetting process.

Please be aware that with effect from 1st September 2009 it is a condition of employment that all successful candidates must undergo a substance misuse test prior to an offer of employment being confirmed.

Training

On being recruited, you will undergo an initial intensive and demanding training programme. The training is designed to equip you with the necessary skills and attributes which will prepare you for your future career. The initial in force training consists of two weekends where you will cover such subjects as legislation, procedures, officer safety and police radios.

Being a Special Constable you may wish to improve your skills and knowledge for that role. To do so you can come along to further force training events which we hold throughout the year in our Divisions. In addition we encourage our Special Constables to attend a once yearly training weekend that we hold at the Scottish Police College.

With the exception of footwear all uniform and equipment is provided.