The key role Special Constables play in Staffordshire communities was highlighted in Tamworth last weekend.
Deputy Commissioner Sue Arnold joined a Specials’ shift on Friday night (16 August) in Tamworth town centre and stayed with them into the early hours of the morning.
She said: “Special Constables make a massive contribution to society and provide a crucial additional link between the police and local communities.
“I was out with them on a busy Friday night to find out about the challenges they face in supporting regular officers and how we can support and develop the valuable Specials’ role.
“After a briefing at Tamworth police station, I joined Specials as they dealt with a variety of matters – ranging from checking licensed venues to looking for a missing woman and carrying out drug searches.
“The presence of Specials out and about also reassured people and emphasised how valued they are by local communities.
“I was really impressed with their professionalism and the time I spent with them was invaluable in informing the plans and strategies that we have in place for Specials.”
Staffordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis has praised the commitment of the Special Constabulary and pledged to develop the service by recruiting 200 new ‘Community Special Constables’ who are dedicated to policing the communities where they live.
He said: “I want to ensure that Special Constables are equipped on an equal basis with their regular colleagues to serve local communities better.
“It’s about supplementing regular officers with elite volunteers who are highly skilled. By further increasing training in specific areas we need to make sure that the commitment given by volunteers is matched by the job satisfaction that being part of a more professional and elite service will create.
“Sue’s fact-finding mission on Friday night will feed into this ongoing work to develop the role of Specials in Staffordshire.”
There are currently over 450 Specials who serve across the county and the city of Stoke-on-Trent.
After receiving full training, they can now serve in a variety of specialist roles including roads policing, licensing, dealing with rural and wildlife crime and football policing.
For more information visit www.staffordshire.police.uk/careers/specials/
