What does being a Special Constable involve?
Role Title: Special Constable
Role Purpose: To provide operational and administrative support
to the regular force
1. To undertake training in all aspects of police work both in
and out of the classroom that will render you capable independent
patrol. To be responsible for personal training and development
needs and maintaining a Professional Development Portfolio.
2. To ensure that at all times your appearance and behaviour
both on and off duty reflects the standard expected by the Cheshire
Constabulary.
3. To ensure that when reporting for duty you are properly
attired in full uniform unless otherwise instructed by a senior
officer.
4. To support regular officers with operational duties in line
with the National Intelligence Model being tasked and co-ordinated
appropriately.
5. Conduct initial investigations, interview victims and
witnesses, search person(s), property, premises, vehicles and land
as appropriate.
6. To complete administrative procedures such as writing pocket
notebook entries, statements and other relevant documents.
7. present evidence in Court and in other hearings.
8. Fully comply with the Cheshire Constabulary Equal
Opportunities Policy in both delivery of services and in the
treatment of others, promoting equality, diversity and human rights
in working practices.
9. Comply with the Data Protection Act, 1998.
10. Comply with Health and Safety legislation.
11. Undertake any other duties that a Special Constable may be
required to carry out.
This role description is intended to be a guide and should not
be regarded as a definitive document.
Person Specification
Community and customer focus
Focuses on the customer and provides high quality service that
it tailored to meet their individual needs. Understands the
community that is served and shows an active commitment to policing
a diverse society.
Effective communication
Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing. Uses
listening and questioning techniques to make sure that they and
others understand what is going on and can effectively transfer
ideas and information.
Personal responsibility
Takes personal responsibility for making things happen and
achieving required results. Displays motivation, commitment,
perseverance and conscientiousness. Acts with a high degree of
integrity.
Respect for diversity
Considers and shows respect for the opinions, circumstances and
feelings of colleagues and members of the public, no matter what
their position, background, circumstances, status or
appearance.
Planning and organising
Plans activities thoroughly for self and others. Builds
milestones into plans, monitors progress and adjusts them as
necessary in response to any changes. Provides clear direction and
makes sure that staff know what is expected of them.
Resilience
Shows resilience, even in difficult circumstances. Prepared to
make difficult decisions and has the confidence to see them
through.
Teamworking
Develops strong working relationships inside and outside the
team to achieve common goals. Breaks down barriers between groups
and involves others in discussions and decisions.
Your main role
Generally speaking, a Special Constable’s main role is to
conduct local, intelligence-based patrols and to take part in crime
prevention initiatives, often targeted at specific problem
areas.
In many forces, specials are also involved in policing major
incidents, and in providing operational support to regular
officers.
Depending upon their individual force, specials can:
- Conduct foot patrols
- Assist at the scene of accidents, fights or fires
- Enforce road safety initiatives
- Conduct house-to-house enquiries
- Provide security at major events
- Present evidence in court
- Tackle anti-social behaviour
- Tackle alcohol related incidents
- Spend time at local schools educating youths about crime
reduction and community safety.
Specials are comprehensively trained. Full details can be found
on the Training page.
Joining Cheshire Constabulary means upholding the following
values:
The Police Service Statement of Common Purpose and Values
The purpose of the Police Service is to uphold the law fairly
and firmly; to prevent crime; to pursue and bring to justice those
who break the law; to keep the Queen's Peace; to protect, help and
reassure the community; and to be seen to do all this with
integrity, common sense and sound judgement.
We must be compassionate, courteous and patient, acting without
fear or favour or prejudice to the rights of others. We need to be
professional, calm and restrained in the face of violence and apply
only that force which is necessary to accomplish our lawful
duty.
We must strive to reduce the fears of the public and so far as
we can, to reflect their priorities in the action we take. We must
respond to well founded criticism with a willingness to change.
Cheshire Constabulary’s values:
Service
Providing a service with the positive consent and support of all
our communities
Professionalism
Striving to improve our skills and expertise in order to improve
performance.
Integrity
Maintaining the trust and confidence of our diverse communities
demands us to be honest and ethical in how we conduct our business.
It also requires rigorous and objective investigation and
appropriate remedial action to be taken when appropriate.
Compassion
Delivering services in a sympathetic and considerate manner and
maintaining a duty of care to victims, witnesses and the public in
general.
Equality and Fairness
Underpinning everything we do is a commitment to equality and
fairness in the delivery of services to the public and in our
treatment of each other. This involves being proactive in tackling
discriminatory behaviour, particularly relating to age, disability,
gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.