Special Constable discusses ‘incredible’ working life across two emergency services

27 June 2024

Growing up, Special Constable Kyle Cicconi always knew he wanted to live his life helping people.

Born and raised in Wolverhampton, the West Midlands Police Federation member often visualised a future where he was a figure of support and trust to the city’s community, and never wanted to limit what path this could follow.

“I’ve always wanted to spread myself further,” said Kyle. “I don’t think there is ever a maximum to what you can do for others. When I joined the Special Constabulary in 2020, I knew it was never going to replace anything else – it was going to be extra.

“I also knew the training would be demanding, and it was. There are a lot of the elements of regular officer training but in a condensed package. But it was definitely worth it.”

Initially, Kyle kept the same hours he had tirelessly trained in once he began his career out on the streets of Wolverhampton city centre, Low Hill and Wednesfield as a Special. Shortly after, this changed when he switched day jobs from a software developer to a student paramedic.

Emergency services

Before he knew it, a professional life had fallen into place whereby he was working in two emergency services.

“It was a very busy and intense time, but here I am now three-and-a-half years later, very happy with how things have panned out,” he continued.

Kyle, who usually volunteers 30 to 40 hours as a Special each month, has thrown himself into a variety of duties that have enabled him to enjoy a successful police career so far. Fast development as an officer has seen him add the grade of inspector to his Special Constable title, a promotion he received last year after impressing senior leaders in both Special and regular management.

Special Constable Kyle Cicconi.

The 37-year-old says he has never looked back since putting on the uniform for the first time.

“I find it incredible, to be honest. I go into my shifts with an eagerness to make a difference. My team are incredible, and we work so hard to be visible across the community. It’s fascinating to go out and see the true picture before it can be twisted on social media, too.

“I’ve also found I can switch off from my ambulance role, which definitely helps the work-life balance.”

The ability to disconnect from his day job on police duty, he added, is largely facilitated by the distinctions of each role – both may be emergency services, but Kyle revealed he navigates his relationship with the public very differently in each.

“I do find I have to be more careful with how I communicate and what I say as a police officer. People know a paramedic is there to help them but then aren’t as sure about police and they can put a guard up. So, you have to handle it in a different way.”

Citing an example of this reality, he recalled an incident on a shift in Wolverhampton’s night-time economy.

Confrontation

“A drunken teenage lad had stumbled out of a nightclub and went looking for confrontation, goading anyone who would look his way. We had to physically contain him before he hurt himself or someone else.

“A few minutes later, the nightclub released about 40 punters onto the street and before long, some of them were piling onto the situation without having a clue of what was going on. They hadn’t seen why we had to restrain the young man for his own benefit.

“In a tough moment like that, where things can boil over and unfortunately, you can’t necessarily rely on the trust of the public, you are really tested. You don’t feel like a volunteer, just a regular police officer.”

Kyle’s day job, nevertheless, means he always has knowledge and experience to draw on, and for the fundamental differences between his roles, there are also moments where they will align to good effect.

This in seen, for instance, when he can give advice over phone or radio to police colleagues first on the scene at a medical emergency.

“Obviously, they [colleagues] are adequately trained to deal with these situations, but it’s always going to help if you can talk it through with a paramedic. In this respect, there’s a bit of crossover and it works well,” he explained.

Teamwork and collaboration with fellow officers are highly valued by Kyle, whose inspector grade has given him the responsibility of reaching out to other Specials and checking in on their welfare.

Specials

Given the unique nature of the position within the police force, he recognises Specials like himself can sometimes struggle to feel as engaged as regular staff.

“You can sometimes feel out of the loop. I have always been welcomed in by regular officers but when it’s not your full-time job, it can be difficult. I would always encourage any Special to make the effort to integrate themselves as much as possible. We are a bit of an unknown entity, coming from all sorts of professions, so we have to put ourselves out there.”

Reflecting on his spell as a voluntary officer to date, Kyle looked back on the responsibility he has relished so far and set the aim of always holding himself accountable for West Midlands Police.

“Another big part of my role has been attending special events and interacting with the community. Recently, I have been at Wolverhampton Pride and the Sikh festival, Vaisakhi. The Force still has business as usual, nothing else stops for these events, but we have to be there getting that important engagement factor if regulars can’t.

“I am now the longest-serving Special in Wolverhampton, which fills me with pride, I look forward to many more years of service. In the future, I’ll never stop wanting to better myself for the community around me,” he ended.