International Volunteer Day: chair praises ‘invaluable’ Specials

5 December 2024

North Yorkshire Police Federation chair Rob Bowles has paid tribute to the contributions of the Force’s Specials on International Volunteer Day.

Rob said they provide an important link between communities and police.

He added that the skills and experience that Specials bring from their life outside of the service is an ‘invaluable’ addition to policing.

Rob said: “Our Specials do a fantastic job, which is very difficult to quantify.

“They are a vital connection between the police and the people and the communities we serve.

“Our Specials work in all sorts of settings, and they each bring with them their own unique skills and experiences and their own way of looking at things, which is invaluable.

Specials

“They are making a real difference, and I’m sure that many of our Specials will say that their role is making a difference in their life away from policing.”

Since July 2022 Specials have been able to become PFEW members after a successful Federation campaign led to a change in the law.

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

The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) said that a total of 6,118 Special Constables volunteered across England and Wales in the year ending March 31, 2024.

Officers

Rob said: “Specials are an amazing asset who are carrying out frontline duties alongside our full-time officers.

“They wear the same uniform and have the same policing powers as regular officers – the only difference is they are volunteers.

“It’s great that we’re able to welcome Specials as members after a successful Federation campaign, and we can offer them the same levels of support as regular police officers.”

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