PCC agrees to cover Fed subs for Specials

24 March 2023

West Mercia Police’s Special Constables are being urged to join the Police Federation after the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) agreed to cover the costs of their subscriptions.

Specials have been entitled to join the Federation since last summer when the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 came into force.

A number of PCCs across England and Wales agreed to pay the Specials’ subs to ensure they had access to support and advice from elected workplace reps and received the legal protections and other benefits enjoyed by their regular colleagues.

West Mercia PCC John Campion has now agreed to follow suit in a decision that has been backed by senior officers and the Police Federation.

Branch secretary Pete Nightingale, who successfully lobbied the PCC on the issue, said: “West Mercia is currently the only force in the country to not have a single subscribing member from the Special Constabulary but hopefully that is about to change.

“I am pleased that our PCC has agreed to support funding and I will actively encourage the Force’s Specials to sign up for Federation membership.”

Pete said Specials were a vital part of the police service and that their work deserved greater recognition.

He said: “They wear the same uniform, have the same powers and face the same dangers and their work alongside regular officers is hugely appreciated within policing.

“We were delighted when Specials were allowed to join the Police Federation and receive the same support and protection as regular police officers.

“And now, with the support of the PCC, we will hopefully see membership flourish in West Mercia.”