Specials Recruitment

Up till now the recruitment of Special Constables has been a local matter - which means that each of the 43 forces could be running different recruitment processes and using different standards. However, since the launch of the National Strategy for the Special Constabulary in March 2008, the NPIA has been working with its partners to produce national standards and an assessment process.

The assessment process is being rolled-out on a national level. Roll-out began on 1st April 2010 and continue through to March 2011. The NPIA will provide each force that adopts the new process with two training courses (assessor training and Quality Assurance training) and other support free of charge during this period.

National Specials Recruit Assessment Process

Key features of the assessment process are:

• Assessments are made on what candidates do and how they do it 
• Trained assessors evaluate each candidate's performance in exercises which relate to identified core competencies
• Information from all of the exercises is used to produce the final results

Assessment exercises include:

• A Competency Based Questionnaire (optional) - for forces that wish to sift prior to running further assessments
• A written exercise lasting 20 minutes
• A situational judgment test lasting 75 minutes
• A competency-based structured interview with 4 questions lasting 20 minutes in total.

The assessment exercises are based on the competencies from the Integrated Competency Framework (ICF). The ICF is a series of national standards which sets out, amongst other things, the competencies required for each role within the police force, including that of Special Constable.

Download ICF Special Constable profile for details of the competencies assessed.

Other Standards

Forces should apply the same fitness, medical and eyesight standards as apply to regular officers.  Candidates are required to take the following two fitness tests:

• Dynamic Strength test (upper-body strength). This  requires the candidate to perform seated chest pushes and five seated back pulls on a specially designed device
• Endurance fitness. This endurance fitness test involves running to and fro on a 15 metre track in time with a series of bleeps

Read further information on the fitness test

The medical standards comprise a number of conditions with advice to forces about how to proceed with each. Any assessment of a candidate's health will be specific to the time of application - and will therefore not include any assessment about their future condition of health.

Further information on the medical standards

Download eyesight standards for police officers

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All candidates undertake the same exercises and are assessed on an equal basis. The assessment process lasts approximately three hours. You will need to read 'Information for Candidates' prior to attending your assessment day.

All relevant information will be sent to you prior to the date of the assessment process. Details include how the assessment is structured and background material relating to the exercises.

Candidates will be provided with written feedback on their results following the assessment. The feedback will detail performance by competency and exercise.
Candidates wishing to query their results or the marking of the assessment process should contact the force recruitment representative who will respond appropriately.

Please be aware that the NPIA does not handle appeals or enquiries directly from candidates.
 

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Help with Disabilities

If you believe that you have a specific learning disability which could disadvantage your performance, you may be eligible for assistance via our 'reasonable adjustment' policy.

Please inform the force to which you are applying as early as possible if you would like to be considered for reasonable adjustment.

If you have a specific learning disability such as dyslexia, the force will ask you to submit a report outlining the nature of your disability. We will use this report to make a decision about whether you are eligible for reasonable adjustments during the assessment.  
 
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Assessment Site Questionnaire

The content and delivery of the assessment process is continually evaluated in order to further improve and develop content and delivery.  It is important that the views of candidates and assessors are captured.

Candidate Feedback Questionnaire
All candidates complete questionnaire

Assessor and Assessment Process Delivery Team Questionnaire
Assessors and Delivery Team complete questionnaire

Specials Recruit Assessor Course
All delegates complete questionnaire