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Search for press releasesHome Secretary announces 6000 new Special Constables
20 August 2008
The Special Constabulary is to be boosted by thousands of new constables over the next three years.
The Home Secretary has announced a £2.25m funding package that will see 20,000 Special Constables working alongside police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and police officers on the streets of local communities.
Special Constables are volunteers who serve as police officers in their own time, often in the evenings or at weekends. They are an intrinsic part of effective neighbourhood policing, working alongside police officers and PCSOs.
The new money will be used to further develop the role of the Special Constable - specifically to assist initiatives around their recruitment, training and development. It will also fund nine new regional coordinators.
Home Secretary's statement
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: 'Special Constables and Police Support Volunteers are a vital part of our modern police service. They are the citizens who feel so deeply about their communities that that are prepared to put on a uniform and work alongside regular police officers and community support officers to help reduce crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.
'Every day of the week, Specials are making a real difference – responding to people’s concerns and making communities safer places to live. The funding I am announcing today will ensure that the Special Constabulary can grow and continue their outstanding work.'
A Special Constabulary national strategy and implementation team was established earlier this year to standardise procedures and further develop the constabulary.
Peter Neyroud's statement
Peter Neyroud, Chief Executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency, said: 'The nine new regional coordinators will drive forward a more targeted approach to the recruitment and development of Special Constables.
'They will work closely with the local forces and the Association of Chief Police Officers' regional leads to identify need and provide solutions to enable more people to become involved and contribute to the policing of their communities through the role of Special Constable.'
Notes to editors
- Special Constables are volunteers who serve as police officers in their own time, often in the evenings or at weekends. Their principle role consists of local, intelligence based patrols and crime reduction initiatives, targeted at specific local crime problems.
- Specials have the full powers of a police constable including the power of arrest (which distinguishes them from other members of the extended police family such as PCSOs).
- Over the last four years, the establishment of the Special Constabulary in England and Wales has increased by around 3,000 - from 11,000 to more than 14,000.
