Specials will now undergo more of the same training given to first-year PC recruits.

This means they will not have to repeat the training again, making it more easy, the college says, for them to join as a PC if they wish to do so.

The college said: “It follows extensive work with the Special Constabulary to provide a clear route from SC to PC for forces who wish to adopt it.”

If a special wants to go on to become a PC the college said they may have to undertake some additional assessment to gain academic credits towards the first year of the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) or Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP). This will depend on their length of service as a special and what roles they have been deployed to.

Chief Constable Mike Cunningham, college CEO, said: “The new training for special constables will support the recruitment of more officers in England and Wales while maintaining the high standards the public expects.

“The introduction of the new entry routes into policing is vitally important and initial indications are overall positive with a high retention rate. We are continuing to work with forces on issues including managing the time officers spend training and on the frontline.

“The measures we've introduced will increase resilience in the service, maintain high standards which the public expects and support officers during their careers."

The college today (15 June) published a report into the implementation of the PC training and Policing Education Qualifications and Framework (PEQF) which began in 2018.

It said that new police recruits describe an overall positive experience, citing benefits including “a deeper knowledge and understanding of policing and critical thinking”.

According to the report, the new programmes – after taking disciplinary exits into account – have a retention rate of more than 95 per cent.

Further details of the report can be found here.