Lancashire Police has blamed a recruitment agency after candidates who applied for a volunteer role at the force were sent an incorrect application test.

Candidates were applying to be Special Constables, which is a volunteer police officer role.  

Now, the police force is getting in contact with the applicants affected after they were given an “incorrect spelling test”.

Candidates were tested on American questions and spellings with reports that they were asked how to spell Tennessee city, Chattanooga.

The test was written in American English and was reported to make references to locations in the United States.

Candidates are now being given the chance to retake the test.

Lancashire Police say the issue was caused by an “administrative error” made by recruitment company, Reed Recruitment.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “During the pandemic we entered into an agreement with Reed Recruitment to assess candidates for our Special Constabulary via a number of online assessments. 

“The assessment we commissioned on June 13 included the correct reading comprehension and verbal reasoning tests but, due to an administrative error by Reed Recruitment, the candidates received the incorrect spelling test.

“We will be in contact with all the candidates who have been affected by this so that they can re-take the correct test.”

A spokesperson for Reed Recruitment said it is “extremely sorry” this error has happened and they “are in touch” with a “small number of candidates” it has impacted.

They said: “Regrettably, a test was sent out to a small number of candidates by mistake.

“The test was accidentally sent in American English and with American questions.

“The test was one of several assessments completed by candidates as part of a comprehensive selection process for recruiting voluntary police officers in Lancashire.

“We are extremely sorry this has happened and are in touch with the small number of candidates this has impacted, who will be able to take the relevant version of the assessment again.”

Special Constables are volunteer police officers who come from all walks of life, bringing a vast range of skills and experience.

Applicantsmust have a minimum of GCSE grade C / Level 4 in both Maths and English to apply.

Were you affected by the Lancashire Special Constabulary application error? Send your story to: sarah.mcgee@newsquest.co.uk