Hertfordshire Constabulary paving the way with opportunities for volunteers
Hertfordshire Constabulary is setting a benchmark for other police forces in its work around the careers pathway for volunteer police officers.
One key element that was picked up on by other forces is how embedded Hertfordshire Specials are in everyday policing and how regular officers have embraced having them on board to support them.
The constabulary’s Citizens in Policing team was recently contacted by Northumbria Police, for example, which wanted to find out more about the way the force has implemented different opportunities for Specials.
The team has also worked closely with the British Transport Police and the Metropolitan Police Service, sharing the current pathways and how the team implemented it.
The current careers pathway for Hertfordshire Specials, after completing initial training in either intervention, where they respond to emergency situations, or neighbourhood policing teams, includes opportunities to work in more specialised departments, including the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit and the Specials Scorpion Team, where they tackle acquisitive crime and warrants and bail.
Special Superintendent Jo Reay, who leads the project, said: “It’s great to see Hertfordshire being recognised for the work Specials do and how our culture allows them to thrive, learn and develop new skills.
“Our Specials career pathway took time to implement, as we worked closely with other departments to understand how our officers can help.
“Seeing how it has taken shape over the years and to be approached by other forces to share our work with them is a testament to how hard the team have worked to be where we are today and the high standard our Specials are regarded.
“We continue to look at what else we can offer our Specials to further their volunteering careers and aim to remain a force that is paving the way.”
Chief of Staff Jon Simpson added: “As a former Special Constable I absolutely recognise the value the Special Constabulary brings to policing in Hertfordshire.
“Our Specials are passionate about and committed to serving their communities and supporting the work of the constabulary. We draw upon them at times of surge demand and they always deliver.
“I know that many of our Specials are completely embedded in their teams with regular colleagues and I’m grateful for the support they receive.”
Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Special Constables are volunteer police officers. They come from all walks of life and volunteer their spare time for a minimum of 16 hours a month. Highly trained, with full policing powers including the power to arrest, they play an essential role in preventing, reducing and tackling crime.”