special constable

British

noun

a person recruited for temporary or occasional police duties, esp in time of emergency

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The force added it was aware that an off-duty serving Met special constable was involved and said the matter has been referred to the Department of Professional Standards for assessment.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

The former special constable was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday to a total of 32 years, made up of 24 years' imprisonment and a further eight years on extended licence.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

The trial heard PC Cummings served as a special constable with Dorset Police from April 2018 before joining the Metropolitan Police as a regular officer in November 2019.

From BBC • Sep. 3, 2024

A special constable is a volunteer position helping ensure public safety.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2024

"I'm a special constable, and I want to know what you're doing on the railway line at the mouth of a tunnel."

From The Head Girl at the Gables by Brazil, Angela

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023