Special Constable (Volunteer Police Officer)

North Yorkshire Police is looking for dedicated, resilient and community-minded individuals to join our Special Constabulary. As a Special Constable, you'll be a warranted volunteer police officer, working alongside regular officers to protect communities, prevent crime and make a real difference where it matters most.

Whether you're looking for a new challenge, an opportunity to give back, or a route into policing, this is one of the most rewarding volunteering opportunities available.

Ask Yourself:

• Do you want to make a genuine difference in your community?
• Are you looking for an exciting and meaningful challenge?
• Do you thrive in a team environment?
• Can you stay calm under pressure and make sound decisions?
• Do you want to develop skills that will benefit you for life?

If the answer is yes, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Become a Special Constable?

As a Special Constable, you'll:

✅ Wear the same uniform as regular police officers

✅ Hold the same powers (excluding Taser deployment)

✅ Patrol communities and support frontline policing

✅ Respond to incidents and help protect vulnerable people

✅ Develop leadership, communication and decision-making skills

✅ Gain valuable experience and confidence that can benefit both your personal and professional life

No two shifts are the same. One day you could be supporting a community event, the next assisting at a critical incident or helping someone in need.

You'll become part of a supportive team united by a shared commitment to keeping North Yorkshire safe.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking people from all walks of life who can bring their skills, experiences and perspectives to policing.

You don't need previous policing experience—but you do need:

• ✅Excellent communication skills
• ✅Integrity and professionalism
• ✅Resilience and emotional maturity
• ✅Strong teamwork skills
• ✅A commitment to public service
• ✅The ability to remain calm in challenging situations

Being a Special Constable isn't easy, but it is incredibly rewarding.

Training & Development

We'll invest in you from day one.

Successful candidates will begin training during our 2027 intakes, which includes:

• ✅Evening and weekend training sessions
• ✅A blend of online and face-to-face learning delivered with the Open University
• ✅A dedicated week of Officer Safety Training
• ✅Ongoing learning and development throughout your service

You'll receive the knowledge, skills and support needed to perform the role confidently and safely.

Please note: You’ll be expected to commit to at least 16 hours of volunteering per month. During training and probation, additional hours will be required. Ongoing training and development continue beyond initial onboarding.

Time Commitment

To maintain operational effectiveness, Special Constables are required to volunteer a minimum of 16 hours per month.

During your training and probationary period, additional time commitment will be required to support your development.

Recruitment Process

The recruitment process includes a national assessment known as the National Sift, designed to assess the values and behaviours required for policing.

Stage One: National Sift

Situational Judgement Test

• Assesses how you would respond to realistic policing scenarios.

Behavioural Styles Questionnaire

• Explores your natural working style and approach to situations.

Stage Two: Interview

Candidates who successfully complete the national sift will be invited to attend an interview with North Yorkshire Police.Before You Apply

Special Constable (Volunteer Police Officer)

Please review the following documents:

• Special Constable - Recruitment Pack
  Special Constable Prohibited Occupations
• Special constables | North Yorkshire Police

Some professions may create a conflict of interest and prevent appointment as a Special Constable. Please refer to the employment guidance document before submitting your application.

Familiarisation Events

Interested in finding out more before applying?

We will be hosting a series of online Familiarisation Events throughout July and August, giving you the opportunity to learn more about the Special Constable role, training, and recruitment process, and to ask any questions you may have.

To attend, please register online: 👮Special Constable Q&A – Your Questions Answered

Once registered, you will receive a Microsoft Teams invitation link separately ahead of the event.

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📍Location: Online via Microsoft Teams

🕒Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm

 📅Dates:

• Wednesday 29 July 2026
• Wednesday 12 August 2026

Places are limited, so early registration is encouraged.