BEFORE YOU CAN BE THERE FOR LONDON
WE’LL BE THERE FOR YOU

We’ll train you for one of the most varied and fascinating volunteer roles around. You’ll gain an incredible wealth of skills, confidence and experience.

The Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) foundation course will teach you about the various aspects of police work, including basic law, police procedures, officer safety, people skills and emergency life saving techniques.

The course consists of 23 days. This can be completed either each Saturday, or Sunday or through an intensive Monday to Friday course. Alternatively, Hybrid courses combining weekend and weekday attendances are run on an occasional basis. Throughout your training, you will develop a number of core skills:

Decision-making
Self-motivation
Communication
Professional standards
Integrity

In preparation for the classroom input you will be required to study course material outside of your training schedule and the input is structured with this expectation in mind.
To ensure the high standards of the MPS are maintained, the course is pass or fail. In addition to your standards of behaviour and appearance, you will be formally assessed on your practical ability, written assignments and your knowledge of law.

Knowledge examinations

During your training you will have three multiple choice papers in exam conditions. It will cover a number of topics and test your knowledge on each area. For each area there are five questions and a 60% pass mark applies to each topic covered.

Practical assessments

You will be tested on your practical ability. You will be observed throughout a practical exercise where you will stop and search a subject, and also complete a lawful arrest. This is marked against a marking guide of core areas such as legal requirements, health and safety, and officer safety to name a few.

Written examinations

Throughout your course there are three written examinations, namely writing an evidence and action book, and completing a stop and search form and a witness statement.

If at any point you do not reach the required standard there is an opportunity to retake the exams and assessments or to resubmit the written assignment. Assistance and support is available to help you achieve the required improvement.

This course will equip you with the skills you require to be an MSC officer and be a productive member of the MPS.

Once you pass all the training, you will become an attested officer and given your warrant card. Your first 60 hours on duty are known as 'coach patrols', during which you will be supported by regular officers or long-standing Specials.

After this period, local boroughs will continue to update your training, helping you to develop skills and knowledge that you can use on the beat and transfer into your 'outside' life.

If you want the satisfaction of helping to make London safer, be there for London and train to be a special constable. Click on one of the videos on the right to see some of the many ways you’ll be fully trained and equipped to meet the challenges of the role.