Once you are offered a position as a special you will be invited to attend eight training weekends where you will be given the training you need to be out on the streets as a special.

You will receive a uniform, equipment and the training materials that will equip you with the necessary skills and tools to deal with any eventuality you might encounter as part of your role.

The eight weekends are spread over 16 alternate weekends and it is important to note that if you miss one of these, you will be required to start again from scratch. With this in mind, it's important that you ensure that you can commit to all those weekends before you start a course.

The first weekend will be an introduction into Sussex Police – giving you an insight in what the Force is like on the whole and also a greater explanation of how the Force is organised.

You will also be given the opportunity to discuss with your intake your hopes and fears about becoming a special and you will also be taken through important issues such as health and safety.

On the second, third and fourth weekends you will receive your staff safety training which will give you the skills you need to deal with situations on the street – so you will be learning self-defence along with how to use your equipment.

The last residential weekend will provide you with the legal knowledge you require to start your job out on the streets. The legislation you learn will prove invaluable and is just the beginning – from this point you will always be learning and gaining knowledge about criminal legislation.

Not only will you be revising your law, but you will also be partaking in role play and learning how to use radios and deal with real-life scenarios.

It is on the seventh weekend that you will also attend your attestation – you will receive your warrant card and be sworn in. This is an opportunity for your family to attend and meet your colleagues and trainers.

It is after this that you will be able to go out to the area that you have chosen as your local beat area. However, your training will not stop here, as you will receive constant on-the-job training and be invited back to regular training weekends and evenings.