Special Constable

Greater Manchester Police is one of the largest police forces in the UK and is responsible for keeping its diverse population of almost three million people safe.

Greater Manchester is a vibrant region in the Northwest, spread over more than 1,200 sq km. Split over 10 metropolitan districts, it is billed as the most diverse city in Europe, whose residents draw on and contribute to its rich cultural legacy and collectively speak up to 200 different languages.

Recently awarded the ‘most improved force in the country’ after its latest police effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy (PEEL) inspection in 2023, Greater Manchester Police remains committed to doing the basics of policing brilliantly, protecting the public, supporting victims and ensuring its workforce reflects the communities it serves.

GMP recognises that having a diverse workforce makes it more approachable and relevant to the public, and so we welcome applications from everyone.

Special Constables are a vital part of the UK police service, helping to divert crime and interacting with the diverse communities that they serve.

Greater Manchester Police believe that ‘Specials’ are an integral part of our police family, and by working alongside regular Police Officers and Teams, they provide a flexible, visible, responsive, and committed resource.

As a Special Constable, you’ll be provided with full Training, Uniform, and Equipment, and have all the powers and authorities of a regular Police Officer. You will also receive out of pocket expenses.

GMP are looking for long-term Special Constables to join our current establishment, who are committed, motivated, flexible, have good interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to think on their feet in challenging situations.

We welcome individuals from all walks of life and backgrounds. Being a Special Constable allows you to bring along and transfer relevant skills, experience, and knowledge from your day job and/or previous life experience and give something back to the communities of Greater Manchester.

The Expectation

Training to be a Special Constable takes place over 10-12 weekends across a 3-month period, and Personal Safety Training over 8 consecutive weekdays (Mon-Fri and Mon-Wed).

Please consider the commitment necessary for the role before applying for this vacancy.

We ask our Specials to volunteer a minimum 16 hours of their time per month.

The Special Constable recruitment process

The Special Constable recruitment process consists of the below stages, as follows:

• Online application
• Initial Application Sift – Against the Eligibility Criteria (see below) or can we provide a link to the eligibility criteria instead if it’s listed on the website
• College of Policing National Online Sift
• GMP in-house interview – evaluating your values and behaviours aligned to the standards and expectations of a Special Constable
• Pre-employment checks – which includes Proof of ID and Address, Fitness Test (5.4 bleep test), Medical, Biometrics (fingerprints & DNA), Vetting Checks and References.

Eligibility

To be eligible for appointment as a Special Constable:

• You must be a UK or Irish citizen, or an EU citizen with EU settled or pre-settled status, or a commonwealth citizen or foreign national with no restrictions on your right to live and work in the UK.
• You can apply aged 17 but must be 18 on appointment.
• You must be Resident in the UK for 3-years prior to applying.
• If you have been out of the country for more than 6 months in the last 3-years, then you will have to provide sufficient information for consideration for us to carry out necessary security vetting checks.
• You must be a British citizen, member of EC or EEA, and resident in the UK free of restrictions with an indefinite leave to remain.
• You must have No outstanding County Court Judgments – must be satisfied.
• If registered as Bankrupt, you will only be considered after 3-years from discharge date.
• You must have no visible Tattoos on your Hands, Face, or Neck.
• You will Not be considered if you have any convictions for Theft, Dishonesty, Violence, or Public Order Offences.
• Drink Driving Conviction – 10-year preclusion.
• Driving Without Insurance – 5-year preclusion.
• You must have No Cautions or Juvenile Convictions for recordable offences within the last 5-years.
• Security roles are a potential conflict of interest so you may not be eligible.

Please check that you are eligible to apply and meet all the criteria above before applying for this role and read through all the attached documents.

To be eligible to apply for a police staff role in GMP, you need to demonstrate that you have the appropriate right to work in the UK and to carry out the hours or type of work that you are applying for.

Potential Tax Implications

Greater Manchester Police have been informed of potential personal tax implications for members of the 1987 Police Pension Scheme, who retire and take a pension between the ages of 50 and 54 inclusive and then take up employment as a Police Staff member. Members of the police pension scheme whose age is between 50 and 54 who are reemployed as a Police Staff member must meet certain conditions to keep their PPA and to protect against personal tax liability charges on any payments paid before the age of 55. One of those conditions is that a break of at least 1 month is required where the reemployment is ‘materially different’.

Queries and Support

If you have any queries or require further information with regards to your eligibility, please email gmprecruitment1@gmp.police.uk before you apply to the Special Constabulary.

If you have a disability and you require support with your application, please let us know so we can consider and support you with any reasonable adjustments you may require. If you need any support completing this application, please contact gmprecruitment1@gmp.police.uk and the recruitment team will be happy to assist.

Email Communication

Please note, all our communication will be sent to you via the e-mail address you provide on your application form, therefore please ensure noreply@gmp-recruitment.co.uk is in your mail safe senders / safe recipients list to prevent our e-mails going into your junk mail