Lancashire Police are looking for volunteer police officers to join the force and serve the community.

Applications to become a special constable are now open and will close on Friday, February 24. 

Duties could include providing a police presence in town centres on Friday nights, dealing with domestic violence incidents, helping people who are going through a mental health crisis, and giving evidence in court.

Volunteers must commit to 16 hours a month, and it’s a 24/7 service, so applicants must be flexible. Specials may get some paid time off to volunteer if the company they work for is part of the Employer Supported Policing (ESP).

Gareth Munroe was a postman by day and served as a special constable at night before he applied to become a police community support officer.

On being a special constable, Gareth said: “I’ve always wanted to work in the police and I love working as a special. I have been involved in drugs raids and football matches and in the last year I have been heavily involved in the Covid response, which has been a really interesting experience.

“I just like helping people. I love going home knowing I’ve done something good that day and I actually get that feeling whichever uniform I’m wearing.”

Applicants must be able to commit to ten full weekends in a four month period of initial training at Police HQ Hutton, followed by an additional weekend a few months after your attestation.

Once the initial training is completed, you will be supported to complete on the job training to become an independent officer, which is achievable within 12 months.

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

A spokesperson for the police said: “It takes dedication to sacrifice personal time for a challenging, unpaid role, however being a Special is extremely rewarding.

“There are fantastic opportunities to build on existing skills and develop new ones, and whilst it isn’t a direct route to becoming a paid police officer, specials receive the same standard of training as a regular police officer and can progress through the rank system.

“Of course, the best reward of all is making difference to the community, helping to keep people safe and feeling safe.”

Applicants should contact workforcerepteam@lancashire.police.uk before submitting an application.