This weekend is National Special Constabulary weekend!
The aim of the weekend is to draw attention to the contribution that special constables (volunteer police officers) make to the community by working alongside police officers.
What’s going on ‘ere then?
The focus this weekend is going to be on roads policing.
We understand that on the Island and in Hampshire several operations are planned to target and educate motorists.
Chief Constable Peter Neyroud, Chief Executive of the NPIA, said: “Specials provide a unique link with the communities they work within. They have a key role to play in neighbourhood policing with the diverse skills and experiences drawn from a life outside the force, as well as within.”
What’s a special constable?
Special constables are effectively volunteer police officers. Once they’ve completed their training, they have exactly the same powers as police officers, including the authority to make arrests.
Most of them fit their time in around other full time work and we understand that there are around 400 special constables in the Hampshire Constabulary alone.
A new new Website aimed at promoting special constables has been launched. You Draw The Line offers detail on what is expected of special constables and how to sign up.
