February 25, 2005: More Special Constables

An extra 1,500 special constables have been recruited. This is the first time their numbers have risen since the Second World War. Special constables are volunteers who serve as police officers in their own time, often in the evening or at weekends. They are appointed by, and are under the direction and control of, the chief constable of the police force area in which they serve.

Their principal 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 within their force and surrounding force areas, including the power of arrest (which distinguishes them from, for example, Community Support Officers).

According to Peter Fahy, Cheshire chief constable and Association of Chief Police Officers’ lead on specials:

“This is an exciting time for the special constabulary. The number of specials has been in long term decline since the Second World War but now we are seeing the numbers increase and what is most important is the quality and the professionalism they are showing. They are a crucial element of local neighbourhood policing. For many hundreds of years local people have assisted in keeping their neighbourhoods safe - long before the creation of a full time professional police force. The special constabulary is a reminder that policing can only be carried out with the consent of the public and the fact that local people can come forward with all the powers of regular officers and take on the role of a constable is the most powerful sign of that fact.”