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Special Constable

Employer
West Midlands Police
Location
Birmingham, West Midlands
Salary
Voluntary-Volunteer
Closing date
30 Apr 2019
Reference
180000PV

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Job Details

Grade: Volunteer

Salary: Volunteer

Closing Date: 30th April 2019

Previous applicants: Previous applicants who have not been successful for this role in the last 6 months are not eligible to apply on this occasion. 

About the Role:

Can you see yourself doing something Special?

If so, we need you.

Our Special Constables are a huge part of the West Midlands Police family. Last year they volunteered over 20 thousand hours to support the service we offer the public.

They are integral members of our neighbourhood teams, our front-line response teams, helping to support our most vulnerable victims in Public Protection, Force CID, Operations, Motorway Policing- the opportunities are endless.

Now we are looking to increase or numbers as we gear up for some of the biggest events seen in the West Midlands, like Coventry becoming City of Culture in 2021 and, of course, Birmingham hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

We need to get ready and we need people who want to volunteer their time to support us with both day to day policing and large scale operations.

Could that be you?

We are hare to prevent crime, protect the public and help those in need. We value the friendship and service we offer and strive to be courageous and fair. Our people are proud of what they do and we know the value of continually listening and learning and we continually grow and evolve.

Does that sound like you? Why not join us?

Working in a voluntary role as a Special Constable offers a rewarding opportunity to help make a difference in our local communities our special constables work alongside our regular officers. You could be patrolling with our neighbourhood teams, responding to emergency calls, opening investigations, working with traffic or policing major events.

We are beginning to plan for #Birmingham2022 and #Coventry2021. Exciting times lie ahead for our region and we need people to support our large-scale operations that will swing into action for these major events. Our Volunteers, whether they are warranted Special Constables or people performing specialist police volunteer roles in our communities, will play an ever-valuable role in protecting the public and helping those in need.

To become a Special Constable you should be prepared to train hard in your own time during evenings and weekends and be willing to offer a minimum of sixteen hours per month to perform the role. In return we offer full training and support to ensure you are prepared and fully equipped.

Who are we looking for?

Individuals who share our values and have a real passion for people and communities, with a desire to make a difference through policing in the West Midlands. Good communicators with a calm, confident personality; problem solvers; team players; and people who easily build relationships and response other people. We welcome applications from all members of our local communities as we continue to promote diversity across the whole of our workforce.

Our current Specials come from all walks of life- we have a pilot , a medical doctor, students, stay at home parents, teachers, bank workers, other WMP staff..... the list is endless!

We want Specials and volunteers from all of the diverse communities across the West Midlands, this is a great chance to give back and share your experience.

Eligibility:

To apply, you must be at least eighteen years old and have a Level 3 qualification gained in England and Wales within the meaning of 2008 Education & Skills Act (e.g. ‘A’ Level/ AS Levels, National Diploma, National Certificate, Level 3 NVQ or City and Guilds, Access to Higher Education Diploma); or a qualification gained outside of England or Wales that is considered to be equivalent to Level 3 by the UK.

http://ofqual.gov.uk/help-and-advice/comparing-qualifications/

The application process can be quite lengthy and therefore we will accept applications from people who are studying towards level three as long as they have achieved the qualification by the time of appointment. We are looking to appoint individuals from November 2018 and beyond.

What are we looking for

Good communicators with a calm, confident personality; problem solvers; team players; trust builders and people who easily build relationships, respect other people and appreciate views from communities across the region.

Successful applicants will be joining the second largest police force in England, covering an area of 348 square miles and serving a population of almost 2.6 million.

Age

To apply to the Police Service you must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper limit.

To be eligible

You must be a British citizen or a citizen of a country that is a member of the European Economic Area or Switzerland. Commonwealth citizens and other foreign nationals are also eligible but only if they are resident in the UK free of restrictions. If you have recently resided abroad we need to be able to check your previous three years (including employment, education and/or residency).

Membership of British National Party and similar

The Police Service has a policing of prohibiting any of their officers, staff or volunteers from becoming members of the British National Party (BNP). Combat 18 or the National Front, whose aims, objectives or pronouncements may contradict the duty to promote race equality. If you are a member of the BNP or similar, your application will be rejected.

Criminal Convictions

Convictions or cautions will not necessarily preclude you from appointment. It will depend on their nature and the circumstances of the offence. However, failure to disclose convictions or cautions will result in your application being refused.

Business Interests

Certain occupations may preclude applicants from being special constables, for example neighbourhood and street wardens, and those involved in the administration of the law. Other roles which are precluded include security occupations which hold a Security Industry Association (SIA) licence.

Health, fitness, eyesight and disability

Applicants must be in good health, of sound constitution and able both physically and mentally to perform the duties of a Special Constable once appointed. You will need to be physically fit, and you will need to pass the job related fitness test.

You will undergo medical screening. You will also need to meet the minimum eyesight standards for corrected (glasses or contact lenses) and uncorrected vision. For more information go to www.police.couldyou.co.uk

Tattoos

Tattoos are not a bar to appointment. However, some tattoos could potentially offend members of the public or colleagues, or could bring discredit to the Police Service. It depends on their size, nature and location. If you have tattoos on your face, neck, forearms or hands you will be asked to provide at least two photographs of each tattoo.

Tattoos are unacceptable if they:

  • undermine the dignity and authority of the office of constable;
  • could cause offence to members of the public or colleagues and/or invite provocation;
  • are garish or numerous or particularly prominent;
  • indicate unacceptable attitudes towards women, minority groups or any other section of the community;
  • indicate alignment with a particular group that could give offence to members of the public or colleagues and/or are considered to be discriminatory, rude, lewd, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic, violent or intimidating.

Financial Position

Special Constables are in a privileged position with regard to access to information and could be considered potentially vulnerable to corruption. Applicants to the Police Service should not therefore be under pressure from undischarged debts or liabilities and should be able to manage loans and debts sensibly. Most applicants have debts, such as mortgages, undischarged student or other loans, and credit/store cards. Debts which are within your means and are manageable are not a bar to appointment.

Applicants who have existing County Court judgements outstanding against then or have been registered as bankrupt and their bankruptcy debts have not been discharged will not be considered.

Applicants who have discharged County Court judgements may be considered.

Applicants who have been registered as bankrupt and their bankruptcy debts have been discharged will only be considered after three years from discharge of the debt.

Applicants who are the subject of a current individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) may not be considered.

You will need to pass all Force security and medical checks.

If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria or can’t commit the time, maybe you might be interested in one of our other volunteering roles. We are looking for people who can support some of our specialist teams, whether it’s to deliver crime prevention information in communities, support our team of historians, walk our police puppies, or offer key skills to some specialist teams – take a look at the many opportunities to volunteer in our careers portal - https://jobs.west-midlands.police.uk/

Company

The West Midlands Police is made up of people like you who want crime to be reduced in our communities and for them to protected. Join us! To continue making a difference in the West Midlands region.

Company info
Website
Telephone
0121 626 5100
Location
Police Headquarters
West Midlands Police
Lloyd House, Colmore Circus
Birmingham
West Midlands
B4 6NQ
United Kingdom

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