Federation set to welcome Specials as members

19 March 2021

The Force’s Special Constables should soon be able to access the wealth of support and advice provided by the Police Federation.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which passed its second reading in Parliament on Tuesday, includes provision for Specials to subscribe to the Police Federation for the first time.

“The Police Federation has been campaigning for Specials to have access to the Federation’s support services for around 10 years now,” says Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, “So I am pleased that this has been successful.

“Our Special colleagues give up their own time to support policing and work side by side with regular officers to serve and protect our communities, facing similar risks and dangers but without any of the benefits of Federation membership.

“For far too long it has appeared that no one has had their back and, while the Federation has done its best to support them on an informal basis, it will be much better when this has been put on a more firm footing.

“I think this move is also a clear sign of the positive way in which the contribution of Specials is now recognised and I think this has been even more evident during the pandemic when Specials have volunteered thousands of hours of service to be on the policing frontline.”

Jon added: “We are looking forward to welcoming Specials as subscribing members of West Midlands Police Federation and will do our utmost to represent them and negotiate on their behalf.”

Joining more than 130,000 regular constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors as Federation members, Specials will be able to receive support and advice from elected workplace reps and will also be able to call on expert advice and representation during performance and misconduct proceedings.

This will form part of the support package to ensure they know their rights and entitlements and means they will receive the right support if any workplace issues are encountered.

As Federation members, Specials will for also the first time be able to apply for legal assistance in criminal, conduct and civil cases as well as gaining access to Member Service offers.

The national Federation’s Special Constabulary lead Dave Bamber continued: ““Nobody has ever really fully represented the Special Constabulary regarding regulations or formal negotiations. Nobody has been on the side of Specials during conversations with key decision-makers - and now the Federation will be. It is a really proud moment for the Federation and a historic move.

“It is only right Specials receive the same legal protections, support with workplace grievances and negotiations over conditions as their regular counterparts.”
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is expected to continue to progress through Parliament before becoming law later this year.