Qualifications
There are no formal educational requirements, but a reasonable standard of English is essential.
Age
You must be 17 years old or older at the point of application. If you are 17, you can go through the recruitment and selection process, but will not receive an offer of employment until you have turned 18.
There is no upper age limit however, you must be able to pass the fitness test.
Cost
We will reimburse you for mileage, medical examinations at doctors and public transport (Uber journeys will not be covered).
Uniform and officer safety equipment costs are all covered by us.
Criminal convictions
Ideally, you shouldn't have a criminal conviction or a cautions record. If you do have one, you can still apply, but your suitability will depend on the age and nature of the offence. We're unable to confirm before you apply if your record will affect your application, but will determine this from the full and confidential information provided during the recruitment and selection process.
If you do not tell us about any cautions, investigations or criminal convictions that may be linked to you, your application could be refused because you weren't open up front, whereas it might have been accepted if you were. If in any doubt, disclose the information.
Health and fitness
Eyesight requirements
You must meet the police eyesight standards agreed by the College of Policing.
Health and fitness
Our health and fitness requirements are not as demanding as is often assumed, but you will need to be able to cope with the physical and mental demands of the job. Certain medical conditions may prevent this. To find out more, please view fit for the job.
If you undertake some form of regular exercise, there should be no issue with meeting the physical requirements in the fitness test.
For the endurance fitness test all candidates are required to run a 15 metre track in time with bleeps which get increasingly faster. Candidates need to meet level 5.4 on the bleep test to be successful.
If you fail on your first attempt don't worry. You're allowed two more attempts within 12 weeks (second attempt after six weeks, third attempt six weeks later). Our Recruitment Team will advise more on this process at the time. If after the 3rd attempt you are not successful, we will be unable to continue with your application.
Start preparing now and view our bleep test training plan.
Financial position
It’s important that you are not under pressure from un-discharged debts or liabilities and that you can manage your loans and debts.
Membership of groups or organisations
Membership of groups and/or organisations that contradict our values, ethics and our responsibility to promote race equality, are prohibited. We will not accept applications from anyone who is, or has been, a member of groups and/or organisations including, but not limited to:
- British National Party (BNP)
- Combat 18 or similar
- National Front
Nationality
You must hold a UK Passport or be able to provide proof of 'settled' status in the UK.
Previous applications
If you have applied as a special constable with us within the last six months and your application was unsuccessful, your application will not be accepted.
If you have applied as a special constable with another force in the last six months and your application was unsuccessful you can apply to join us. Please disclose the information on your application form including the force you applied to and your dates of application.
Excluded occupations
There are some jobs that are considered incompatible with the role of a special constable. To be sure that your current employment will not prevent your application from proceeding, please check our precluded occupations list. You must not be in a precluded occupation at the time you submit your application.
Residency
You must have lived in the UK for three consecutive years immediately prior to application. If you’ve lived abroad due to serving in the British armed forces or on UK government service, you’re considered to have been resident in the UK.
You can apply if you live outside of Kent.
Substance misuse
If you are currently using any illegal drugs, this will rule you out of the recruitment process automatically. You will be required to undertake a substance misuse test as part of the pre-employment checks.
Tattoos and piercings
Having tattoos or piercings, could exclude you from applying. For more details view our tattoo and piercing policy.