Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) precluded occupations
There are a number of jobs that are considered incompatible with the role of a special constable at the Met. Please check the list below to ensure that your current employment will not prevent your application from proceeding.
You should not make an application to join the Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) if you work in any of the below roles:
- serving members of His Majesty's Armed Forces (see further down this page for exceptions)
- members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force
- Royal Naval Auxiliary Service
- the National Hospital Service Reserve
- members of the fire service, unless written permission is given by your chief officer
- traffic wardens and school crossing patrols
- members of employers’ police forces and private constabularies
- magistrates
- clerks to justices and clerks to courts
- probation officers
- youth workers and social workers involved in the administration of criminal law
- bailiffs, warrant officers, private detectives and inquiry agents
- custody escort officers
- security personnel, guards and doormen (see further down this page for exceptions)
- anyone working for a security company
- employees of security organisations
- neighbourhood and street wardens and other uniformed patrol wardens
- police community support officers
- prison custody officers (prison officers are eligible, but only with written permission from their prison governor)
- a local authority parking warden
- persons taking an active part in politics
- Highways Agency traffic officers (and traffic officers who are employed by other organisations, such as Vehicle and Operators Services Agency)
- border and immigration officers with powers of arrest
- customs officers
- barristers, solicitors and judges
- members of police authorities
- transport network revenue protection inspectors
- local authority field officers, for example, trading standards officers
- civilian enforcement officers
- vehicle removal officers
If you are applying for or seriously considering a job in any of the above occupations, please think carefully before you apply for the Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC). If you start a job in any of the above occupations at any point during your application, or if there are changes in any of the information you provide in your application, you must inform us immediately.
Exceptions for serving members of His Majesty's Armed Forces
Some categories of people who have certain Armed Forces Reserve liabilities, may, with the permission of their Armed Forces Record Office, be able to apply. However, those who are a member of the ‘regular’ armed forces are ineligible. This is due to national police policy, which was developed in consultation with the Ministry of Defence.
Exceptions for security officers
Security officers who are employed directly by the company that operates the premises they protect (for example, who are not subcontracted to a security company) may be eligible to apply, but only under the Employer Supported Policing scheme (ESP). Please check with your employer whether they support ESP.
Find out more:
Employer Supported Policing at the Met
Email: [email protected]