What to expect

Although it is very similar to being a regular police officer, there are differences.

As a special you will be required to be adaptable and flexible, as you can be called upon at any time should there be a major incident. From the moment you start your training and receive your uniform you are considered to be a force resource.

The training is the first part of your journey. You will meet new people and be put in situations that you may not experience on an every day basis – and we don’t mean police-oriented situations – you will be in social situations with your intake and it will be a new experience for everyone.

You will need to be able to cope with not only the training at the weekends, but also the homework – although there isn’t vast amounts of work to do, you will need to provide a commitment to learn. You will be learning new skills and taking on board legislation, law and diversity information.

You’ll make friends that will stay with you for the whole of your career as a special and you will find that they are vital as a support network through the more difficult times.

Once you are ready to go out on area, your continuing commitment will take you through meeting even more new people and facing tough challenges – but you will, most importantly, have fun in your time as a special. You will experiences things that many people won’t in their lifetime and you’ll change as a person – constantly developing new skills and learning more about yourself.

You will find that you could be policing a large football match one week, and comforting a bereaved relative the next – no two shifts will ever be the same, although be under no illusion that it’s constant excitement – there will be times that are slow and nothing seems to be going on. You need to be able to cope with the adrenalin of a dangerous public order situation and the long hours of guarding a scene long after the crime has been committed.

The one thing you can be sure of is that it will be an incredibly challenging, but rewarding way to give something to the community.