Special Constables
Today we are highlighting the vital work that the Special Constables do for our Force, sharing their stories and showcasing the impact that they have on our communities. Specials are a vital part of all Police Forces, and it is important that we recognise the immense value that they add.
The presence of Specials not only, enhances and supports the work of the Force but also enhances police visibility and public reassurance, strengthening community relationships through their local knowledge and commitment. Their dedication, teamwork and commitment to serving the community exhibit the values of our Force.
Special Constables are voluntary police officers with all the same powers as full-time police officers. They come from all walks of life and join for a variety of reasons. Volunteering as a Special Constable is one of the most exciting and rewarding voluntary opportunities available.
By helping to bridge the gap between the public and the police, special constables provide invaluable support that helps maintain safety, trust and effective policing across the country.
To read more about the work and contribution of the amazing people who make up the team and their opportunities, visit our Special Constables page or if you are interested in being involved, please email [email protected].
Susie Lockwood-Taylor, Response Team Inspector and former Special Constable: So Special Constables are voluntary. They have all the powers of a police officer but it’s just on a voluntary basis. They have a minimum of hours they have to complete a month. The way that they help Response and Neighbourhoods, they will just help with demand on the day, sometimes just extra resourcing, but they also get involved in operations.
Lucy Allen, Special Constable: Being a Special Constable means I get to get involved with some really good events and one I’m really excited about in the future is going to the F1 to accompany the other PCs to make sure that people are safe and having a good time.
Chris Foulkes, Special Support Officer: I like my job. I’ve got a career that I’ve built over a number of years. And I enjoy doing this and I enjoy the sense of reward and being part of the team. I find with the teams I work in, which is predominantly the neighbourhood team and other areas within the police, people are grateful for what you’re doing in Northants Police, genuinely grateful, and I’m sure regulars will get that, but I like it as a Special. I like that gratitude for the time we are giving and volunteering and I keep coming back for more.
Susie: The more of us are out on the streets, the more visible we are to the community so I think that really helps. We know that people are having to balance it with a full time job most of the time, or children, we know that, so they only have to do about 16 hours a month.
Chris: It’s generally one shift a week for me and those shifts are when I want to do them. Often I’ll crew in Brackley with another Special down there and we’ll quite often do the Friday evening, so we’ll come in maybe 5 or 6 o’clock at night till midnight, and at one minute past six I could be herding sheep off the A43 or at the other end of the spectrum, so absolutely I think that variation is great.
Lucy: I would definitely recommend to other people joining the Specials because it’s just so varied and you get to do things that you wouldn’t normally do. There’s a lot to learn and there’s a lot of, sort of, paperwork and things that come with it but it’s really good, really good and rewarding to do.
Susie: We would never be able to provide that level of presence if we didn’t have the Special Constabulary to support us.