What is a Special?
Special Constables
Training to be a special constable with the Metropolitan Police Service will equip you with the necessary skills and capabilities you need to be there for London. What’s more, it will help you develop personally and boost your confidence.
To find out more about our training and how it can help you, click on the ‘Train to be a Special’ button below.
Special Constables:
- Wear the same uniform as regular police officers
- Have the same powers and responsibilities
- Enjoy all the variety of policing London
- Come from all walks of life
- Volunteer 16 hours of their time a month
Special constables work alongside regular police officers and enjoy all the variety of policing London. This could involve carrying out foot and vehicle patrols, assisting at accidents, providing security at public events or taking part in 'hotspot' operations.
Although you won't be paid, your training and duties will give you unique experiences, new and valuable skills, plus a tremendous sense of achievement of doing something worthwhile for your community.
This is to provide you with advance notice that during the period February 2012 to June 2012 we will only offer candidates the training option of the Monday to Friday course (9 am to 5 pm) over a 4 week and 3 day period. There will be no MSC training July to August 2012 and the full range of training course options will resume from September 2012. If this is not a suitable option for you, you may want to re-apply again in May 2012.
Click here to see our specials in action
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Epaulettes
Just like regular officers all special constables will have individual ID numbers, this is known as their shoulder number.
Radio
The airwave radio is your first point of communication with all 32 boroughs in the Met, this is also a vital link to information you may require whilst completing any checks on duty.
MetVest
All special constables are issued with a personally fitted MetVest. The wearing of a MetVest is compulsory on all operational deployments.
Utility Belt
The utility belt will include your handcuffs, CS spray, gloves, ASP and a mobile first aid kit which you will wear every time you go out on duty.
Uniform
Specials constables wear the same uniform as regular officers. Once you have passed the relevant stages you will be issued with your MPS Special Constables uniform.