Federation membership to open up to Specials
14 September 2021
Moves to allow Special Constables to join the Police Federation will ensure their voices are heard, says West Midlands branch chair Jon Nott.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill includes provision for Specials to subscribe to the Police Federation for the first time. It is currently going through Parliament and is set to become law early next year.
Jon said: “Special Constables have never been fully represented when it comes to regulations, formal negotiations, and discussions with key policy and decision-makers.
“But from next year the Federation will be. We’re looking forward to welcoming Specials into the Federation, to representing them and making sure that their voices are heard.
“Specials give their time to work alongside regular officers, facing the same risks, so it’s only right they should be able to receive support and advice from our reps and to call on expert advice and representation if they should ever need it.
“It will be a historic moment when we’re able to welcome them into the Federation.”
Jon’s comments follow a website blog by Dave Bamber, secretary of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) Special Constabulary Working Group.
Dave said: “Specials won’t be treated any differently when they join PFEW. They will have parity with the existing membership, and exactly the same expert support, representation, and rights to vote and stand in elections. Nothing will be any different from any Special and an existing member.
“As volunteers though, we are keen to offer as much support as we can – especially for Specials who might not earn a lot in their day jobs or are struggling financially.”
Dave added: “There is so much work to be done on the behalf of Specials. Nobody has looked properly at their conditions of service, how they are treated in the workplace, their terms of reference, or their pensions, for many, many years.”
