A:Due to operational requirements from July to September 2012, we will be closing the online application form for special constables. We will not accept any new applications after 4pm on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 until further notice. If you are in the process of completing your online application you will have until 4pm on Wednesday, 23 May 2012 to submit the application. Your application will still be processed. However, it will take longer than our standard timescales. Information will be posted on the website about how you can register your interest in becoming a special constable after 23 May 2012.

A:Special constables are volunteer police officers. 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. We pay expenses so you will not be out of pocket for giving your time to us.

A: Special constables are expected to give 16 hours a month which equates to around 200 hours a year

A: As a special constable you will carry out the same duties as a regular police constable. This means you will be responding to 999 calls, arrest, detain and deal with suspects - just the same as a regular police constable operating on the front line, supporting victims and witnesses of crime, providing reassurance and instilling confidence.

A: As a special constable you will be required to wear a full police officer uniform - this includes a Helmet, Radio, Body Armour and Handcuffs and additional Officer Safety Equipment (OSE).

A: Special constables are stationed in 32 boroughs across the capital, and in our Operational Support Units helping to make the streets safer and responding to 999 calls. Each borough and unit has its own unique policing challenges, reflecting the area and the people who live there. You will be given the opportunity to select 3 boroughs you wish to volunteer in as a special constable during the recruitment process. We will contact you to discuss your posting if we need you to volunteer in another area.

A: As you experience new and different challenges every time you go out on patrol, you'll grow in confidence, working part of a close-knit team, forming lasting friendships and learning more about yourself, life and human nature than most people will ever see.

You'll also develop core skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, leadership, team-working and communication - skills that will help you as a special constable, enrich your daily life and improve your full-time career prospects.

As a special constable you’ll also receive free travel on London underground, London buses, Croydon Tramlink, DLR and London Overground routes.

You'll also have access to the MPS Benefits scheme 'Met Benefits'. This scheme is run by an external company, granting MPS staff discounts on a number of goods and services.

A: MSC officers can apply for criminal injuries compensation for injuries on duty in the same way as regular officers.

The Special Constables Regulations provide for the refund of a maximum of 28 weeks loss of income by a special constable as a result of an injury on duty, subject to a maximum of a regular constable's pay over the same period.

A special constable may also be entitled to claim for loss of earnings through injury on duty not caused by a criminal act. A claim for loss of wages in the form of temporary total disablement (from usual gainful employment) can be submitted to the MPS should an injury be incurred on duty as a special constable. This is mainly funded from a corporately arranged insurance with policy benefits of £500 per week payable for 28 weeks.

A: Please download the Employment History error handling sheet to assist with this issue. We are working to resolve this as soon as possible.

A: Throughout the process we will notify you of your progress predominantly via email. Please ensure you include the correct email address on your application form including '.com or .co.uk' depending on your provider. Some email accounts put these emails into the Junk/Spam items folder so please check these folders to ensure you do not miss any information. If you are successful and invited to a Day 1 Assessment, we will send email confirmation in addition to a text reminder - this will be to the mobile number on your application form.

A: The Metropolitan Police Service has a limited appeals process for candidates who have been unsuccessful in their application for a post within the Metropolitan Police Service. Appeals will only be considered on the appeals proforma within 21 days following the notification of the rejection of an application, and where it appears that there may have been:

• An abuse of process - defined as either an intentional act or failure to apply Service policy or the instructions published specifically for the purpose and/or
• A perverse decision - defined as a decision, which has not been justified or indicates an error or inappropriate judgement/action by the personnel involved in the process.

Download the appeals form

For further MPS recruitment enquiries, please visit www.metpolicecareers.co.uk or contact the Recruitment Helpline on 0845 727 2212 between 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday.