Candidate Support
Introduction
We use competency-based testing to assess candidates wishing to become special constables. The principle behind competency-based assessments is that if you have displayed a skill or competency in the past, you should be able to put it to good use in the future. At your Day 1 assessment, you will be asked questions on how you've displayed the below competencies.
The MPS competencies
These competencies are also required of regular police officers - after all, Specials have the same powers and responsibilities as regular officers.
- Personal Responsibility - for your own actions and decisions
- Customer & Community Focus - you'll need to be aware of the needs of different people
- Problem Solving - thinking through situations and coming up with a solution
- Teamwork - working with others and making the team more effective
- Effective Communication - both verbally and in writing, to communicate with people from all walks of life
- Respect for Diversity - to provide a service to the many communities that make up London
Selection centre tips
Day 1 - This will include your competency-based interview and written test
Think about experiences that reflect how you've demonstrated the competencies and prepare your answers using the ASPIRE mnemonic - make them Appropriate, Specific, Positive, Individual, Relevant and Emphasise your role in each. Take care with spelling, grammar and punctuation in your written exercise.
Day 2 - This will include a medical and the Job Related Fitness Test
For the physical assessment, press ups will improve your upper body strength, running about 1.5 miles three times a week will improve your endurance and swimming will tone up muscles. You can also attend our familiarisation session at Hendon.