The Special Constabulary is the United Kingdom's volunteer police force. It is made up of members of the public who wish to spend some of their time helping to police their local community.  Specials for South Yorkshire Police work in the role for a minimum of 16 hours per month but can work as many hours as they wish on top of this.

Specials receive in-depth training in self-defence, powers of arrest, common crimes, and preparing evidence for court before they take on any police duties.  On completion of the training, they are then sworn in at court or in the presence of a magistrate in the same manner as a "regular" police officer. Specials work alongside their regular colleagues and have the same powers in law, including the power of arrest.

The duties carried out by a Special Constable vary but essentially, they are the same as those carried out by any regular police officer. Generally speaking, Specials will support regular officers by patrolling on foot or in a car, alone, with another special, or with a regular.

Specials are likely to get involved in all aspects of modern policing, including crime prevention, raids and warrants, special events, football matches, missing person enquiries, road traffic accidents as well as dealing with crime such as anti-social behaviour, burglaries, fights and damage.