On the beat - February 1

The Special Constabulary is the UK’s part-time police force. It has been in existence for hundreds of years and is made up of members of the public who volunteer to spend some of their time helping to police their local community.

Although Special Constables, or Specials as they are known as, do not get paid, they can claim some expenses, such as travel costs.

They work alongside their regular colleagues and have the same powers in law, including the power of arrest. Specials are likely to get involved in all aspects of modern policing, including crime prevention, raids and warrants, special events, missing person enquiries, road traffic collisions (the list goes on!) as well as dealing with crime such as burglaries, assaults, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.

Generally, Specials will support regular officers by patrolling on foot or in a car, and this might be alone, with another Special, or with a regular officer.

They are issued with identical kit (baton, handcuffs, CS spray, etc) to their regular colleagues and receive training in powers of arrest, common crimes, preparing evidence for court, self-defence and how to deal with awkward situations or people.

There is a rank structure within the Special Constabulary and our highest ranking officer in this area is Commandant Nick Marlow.

He recently told me: “You really get a feeling of satisfaction doing something so positive and worthwhile for your own community. You also obtain a wealth of life skills.”

Other benefits include learning more about policing, meeting new people and enjoying new experiences, plus discovering new things about yourself and just how much you are capable of.

If you want to get involved, you need to be 18 or over, a national of the EU and able to give a minimum of 16 hours a month.

For further details on becoming a Special Constable with West Mercia Police, contact Peter Trueman at police headquarters on 01905 747174.

Inspector Paul Crowley Kidderminster Police