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Recruitment process - special constable
The recruitment process can take approximately four to seven months.
If your application is accepted, you will follow these steps in the recruitment process. The process tests the key competencies and values that are important for the role of a special constable and form the national standard for special constable recruitment.
Before you apply, you may like to read our application and interview guidance or attend one of our workshops or events to ensure that your application has the best chance of success.
You need to pass the National Sift to progress through the application process. The National Sift consists of two exercises:
- a situational judgement test
- a behavioural style questionnaire
You will be assessed against the competencies and values that are important for effective special constables, as set out in the College of Policing's competency and values framework (CVF). The competencies review criteria is set at level 1 for special constables.
After you have completed the National Sift you will be invited to a virtual interview. You will be required to pass this to enable you to progress further in the recruitment process.
You will be invited to a face-to-face interview held at the Kent Police College in Maidstone. The Recruitment Team will give you with further information about the format of the interview. During your interview you will be tested on our competencies and values framework.
You will run a 15 metre track in time with bleeps which get increasingly faster. If you fail on your first attempt, you will be allowed two more attempts within a 12 week period. You will be contacted by the Recruitment Team if you need to retake your fitness attempt.
Due to the nature of the job we need to carry out checks on our employees and their families.
Financial checks will be carried out to make sure you don't have any outstanding CCJs, IVAs or are registered bankrupt. If you have discharged your bankruptcy debts you will need verification from the Court that three years has passed since the date of discharge.
Further information about vetting can be found in our vetting guidance.
If you fail vetting, we can talk you through why before you decide whether to make an appeal. If you wish to make an appeal, you can appeal the decision by email or in writing within 14 days. You must detail why you want to appeal the decision and anything else you want taken into consideration.
You will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire which must be signed by your GP and returned directly to our Health Team.
You will be examined by one of our appointed medical practitioners who will check your:
- lung capacity
- eyesight and colour vision
- hearing
- mobility
- existing conditions
- urine
- height/weight/BMI check (note: Body Mass Index should be within 18 to 30)
- eyesight test requirements - for more information please read the HM Government eyesight requirement information
You will be invited to a meeting via Microsoft Teams by a senior police officer to complete a questionnaire which will:
- clarify the correct details have been provided to our Vetting Team
- provide you with professional standards guidance ahead of your start date
- address any questions or concerns you may have
Samples of your fingerprints and DNA will be taken to carry out some final vetting checks against various national databases. You will be required to consent in writing to this process.
We will ask for references from your previous employers and/or educational establishments for the last three years. Any gaps in your employment will need to be explained and verified. If you haven't been in employment for three years, we will ask for a character or educational reference.
Help and support
If you need additional help or support, please contact the Special Constable Recruitment Team.
