Specials Recruitment

The Specials are a force of trained volunteers who provide a valuable link between the police and the local community. With the same powers as regulars they work in their free time on a variety of police duties.

The Specials recruitment assessment is a rigorous process involving observation of performance across a variety of exercises, assessing candidates' potential to perform the role effectively.

• 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 structured interview with 4 questions lasting 20 minutes in total.
• A written exercise lasting 20 minutes.
• A situational judgement test lasting 75 minutes.

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.

Candidate Guidance

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. Download the Integrated Competency Framework that gives details of the competencies to be assessed.

Candidates will be provided with written feedback on their results following the Assessment Process. 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, as this feedback can provide important information on how the NPIA and forces can continually improve and develop the assessment process.

Candidate Feedback Questionnaire
If you were a candidate at a recent assessment process here link to complete the questionnaire.

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Assessor Feedback Questionnaire
If you were an assessor at a recent assessment process click here to complete the questionnaire.

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Assessment Process Co-Ordination Team Questionnaire
If you were an assessor at a recent assessment process click here to complete the questionnaire.

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Specials Recruit Assessor Course
if you attended the recruit assessor course click here to complete the questionnaire.