Training

What training will I receive?

You will receive 164 hours of training delivered over 16 weeks - one evening a week and some weekends. The training will include:

  • Law and police procedures
  • Self defence training
  • First aid
  • Race and Diversity
  • Powers of arrest

The Special Constabulary Foundation Training Course takes place at weekends, from 9am to 5pm and Thursday evenings from 6pm to 9pm * Plus one Tuesday and one Wednesday evening. You will cover all the basic law training, Unarmed Defensive Tactics package and First Aid.

We realise it is a big commitment for you, but we aim to help and guide you through the course and make the training useful and enjoyable using a variety of methods.

Towards the end of the course, you will consolidate the training by taking part in a role play exercise in a town centre, dealing with a number of incidents. These are observed by the Training staff and you will be given feedback at the end. The purpose is to build your confidence and put into practice all the skills you have gained throughout the training course.

Training and development does not end upon the completion of the foundation course. Once operational, you will work with more experienced officers who will assist you in the transition from the classroom to the operational environment.

Over those next few months, you will be working operationally and achieving ‘on the job’ competencies in order to work towards Independent Patrol status, with the help of a Personal Development Portfolio. Your progress will be monitored and you will be fully supported by dedicated staff.

The Special Constabulary also has its own rank structure and you could have the opportunity to be promoted. You will then be able to guide, support and develop other Specials and assist with their deployment.

If you have any questions or concerns about the Foundation Training Course or Specials Training in general, please contact:

Phone: 01606 364114

Email: recruitment@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

An example of a Special Constabulary training course

First week:

Thursday

  • Introduction – administration and briefing expenses form
  • Opening introduction by Chief Constable and Chief Officer
  • Meet and greet supervisors
  • Opening introductory exercise

Saturday

  • Hopes, concerns, expectations
  • The role of the Special Constable
  • The structure and role of Neighbourhood Policing Units
  • Data protection

Sunday

  • Race and diversity - values and ethics
  • Pocket notebooks and statement making
  • The Caution and Significant statements

Second week:

Thursday

  • Professional standards
  • Reflective practice/learning styles

Third week:

Thursday

  • First Hepatitis B shot
  • Personal Development Portfolio input
  • Initial tutorial

Fourth week:

Thursday

  • Health and safety and manual handling
  • Radio communications

Saturday

  • Powers of arrest
  • Making an arrest

Sunday

  • Stop and search
  • Stop and account
  • Safe searching techniques

Fifth week:

Thursday

  • Second Hepatitis B shot
  • Drugs input

Saturday

  • Theft
  • Burglary

Sunday

  • Robbery
  • Offensive weapons, bladed or sharply pointed articles
  • Going equipped

Sixth week:

Thursday

  • DNA
  • Section 5, 4 and 4a Public Order Act

Seventh week:

Thursday

  • Uniform delivery and body armour collection
  • Elimination fingerprints

Eighth week:

Thursday

  • Uniform inspection
  • Attestation practice
  • Warrant cards
  • Tutorials

Saturday

  • Unarmed defence tactics

Sunday

  • First aid

Ninth week:

Wednesday

  • Uniform inspection
  • Attestation ceremony

Saturday

  • Unarmed defence tactics

Sunday

  • Unarmed defence tactics

Tenth week:

Thursday

  • Assaults
  • Lost and found property

Saturday

  • Airwave training
  • Criminal damage

Sunday

  • Confiscation of alcohol
  • Administering breath tests
  • Drinking in designated areas

Eleventh week:

Thursday

  • Terrorism training
  • National Intelligence Model

Saturday

  • Unarmed defence tactics scenarios

Sunday

  • Role play game in Frodsham

Twelfth week:

Saturday

  • Statement taking
  • Final tutorials

Thirteenth week:

Tuesday

  • Knowledge check
  • Input for potential regular recruitment
  • Final admin and course evaluation

Sunday

  • Court procedures
  • Operational feedback
  • Presentation of foundation course certificates