Chair heaps praise on Specials this International Volunteers Day

5 December 2024

Specials play a unique and vital role in policing, says Gwent Federation chair Matthew Candy.

Matthew has paid tribute to their hard work and dedication on International Volunteers Day (Thursday 5 December).

He said: “I applaud our fantastic Specials and the brilliant work they do.

“Specials wear the same uniform and carry the same powers as full-time officers and bravely face the risks that come with a policing role.

“They perform their volunteer role in their own time, often alongside juggling families and careers.

“And because of their roles outside of policing, Specials bring diverse sets of skills and fresh ways of looking at things into the service.

Communities

“They volunteer thousands of hours every year and are vital in preventing crime and keeping our communities safe.”

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has been able to welcome Specials into its membership since July 2022 following a successful campaign.

This means Specials are entitled to membership and to receive support and advice from the Federation, including through misconduct proceedings and Post-Incident Procedures.

Matthew said: “It’s only right and proper that Specials have access to the representation, support, and advice of the Federation, and we encourage them to become members.

Federation

“And we would encourage Specials to think about becoming Federation reps. We need that representation in our branch.”

Matthew finished by encouraging people in the Gwent community, who might be thinking of becoming a Special to do so.

“It is a role like no other, and the training and experiences you’ll receive will almost certainly be transferable to whatever you do outside of policing,” he said.

More information for Specials about becoming a Federation member is available here.