Transferee Special Constables
Contract Type: Voluntary
Working Hours: 16 per month
Transfer to British Transport Police as a Special Constable!
Bring your policing experience to a national force and help us protect every journey.
As a Transferee Special Constable with British Transport Police (BTP), you’ll use the skills and experience you have already developed to support frontline policing across Britain’s rail network.
You could be responding to incidents, providing reassurance at stations and on trains, supporting vulnerable people or helping to police major events. It’s a unique and fast-moving environment where no two duties are the same.
Special Constables are volunteer Police Officers with the same powers and uniform as regular Police Officers. You’ll work alongside colleagues to protect the public, prevent crime and help millions of passengers travel safely and confidently.
Why transfer to BTP:
Make a meaningful difference: Help keep passengers, railway employees and communities safe.
Experience varied policing: Work in a unique operational environment across stations, trains and the wider rail network.
Build on your experience: Develop your existing policing skills through BTP-specific training, operational duties and continued professional development.
Join a national force: Contribute to policing across the rail network while remaining connected to your chosen posting area.
Be a valued member of the team: Join a force where the contribution of Special Constables is recognised and supported.
Who Can Apply
This opportunity is open to anyone who is currently serving as a Special Constable with an eligible Home Office police force, or who has served as a Special Constable with an eligible force within the last 12 months.
To be eligible to transfer, you must:
Have achieved Independent Patrol Status, where applicable in England and Wales.
Have completed the required first aid training.
Have a sound and current understanding of operational policing.
Not be subject to an ongoing investigation by your current or previous force.
Be able to provide your full training records from your current or previous force.
Meet BTP’s medical, vetting and wider eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Checklist
You will not be eligible to apply if:
You have been unsuccessful at an interview for a BTP Special Constable, Police Officer or PCSO role within the last three months.
You have failed BTP vetting within the last 24 months.
You have received a custodial sentence, including a suspended sentence.
You have been dismissed from another police force or are currently under investigation.
You do not have the permanent right to live and work in the UK.
You have not lived continuously in the UK for the past three years.
You do not meet BTP’s financial eligibility requirements, including those relating to bankruptcy, County Court Judgments or unmanageable debt arrangements.
You have facial or neck tattoos that are assessed as inappropriate under BTP’s standards.
You should also review the Prohibited Occupations List before applying to ensure that your employment does not conflict with the role of a Special Constable.
You must provide complete and accurate information throughout the application and vetting process. Any previous involvement with the police, including cautions or convictions, must be declared and will be considered in line with the relevant vetting standards.
Ongoing Commitment
Special Constables are expected to complete a minimum of 16 hours of duty each month.
Before applying, please consider whether you can meet the ongoing duty commitment, attend the required training and complete the supervised patrol period.
Available Locations
Opportunities are available across B Division, covering the South and East, and C Division, covering the Midlands, North and Wales. All locations are subject to vacancies and operational requirements.
Locations may include:
London and the South East: Euston, Paddington, London Bridge, Victoria, Gatwick, Ashford and Croydon.
South and East of England: Southampton, Norwich, Brighton, Colchester, Cambridge, Luton and Southend.
Midlands and North: Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle and York.
Wales: Bangor, Cardiff, Rhyl and Shrewsbury.
The locations available as part of this campaign will be shown within the application form. Availability may vary according to operational requirements, so please only select locations where you could reasonably undertake your duties.
What You’ll Receive:
BTP-specific training and continued professional development.
Uniform and operational equipment.
Reimbursement of eligible expenses and qualifying travel costs.
Access to health, wellbeing and employee support services.
Opportunities to develop valuable policing, communication, decision-making and leadership skills.
This is a voluntary, unpaid position. Allowances and eligible expenses may be payable in line with current BTP arrangements.
Ready to Transfer
Applications must be completed online. As part of your application, you’ll be asked to confirm your current or recent service as a Special Constable, provide details of your policing experience and select your preferred posting location.
Click apply now and you will be redirected to our careers page to complete your application
