Special job on the beat

It's not surprising then that volunteers continue to swell the ranks of Britain's part-time police force, the Special Constabulary.

Think you will be able to recognise a Special? Chances are, if you're unfortunate enough to find yourself being arrested, you won't be able to tell if the officer on the other end of the handcuffs is a regular or a Special.

That's because they have the same powers and are both kitted out in the same uniform.

There are some 220 Specials supporting Dorset Police and the aim is to try and double that figure.

Divisional Commandant Trevor Lewis says: "Specials are ordinary men and women from the local community who give up their free time to police the area where they live.

"They supplement what we already have in Dorset and are part of a wider police family which includes regular officers and community support wardens.

"Although the work they do does vary, a lot of time is spent out on patrol.

"Specials make a real difference to communities - by providing a uniformed visual presence it increases public safety and confidence in an area."

Trevor, 41, was working as a supermarket manager in Weymouth when he decided to join the Specials 20 years ago.

He's since switched jobs and works in the inquiry office at West Weymouth police station but in that time has risen to become second in command of the Specials in the western division of Dorset Police.

He says: "Whatever your rank you're still a volunteer.

"People who have joined us are from all walks of life. We have housewives, a train driver, a merchant seaman, people who run their own businesses, civil servants, tradesmen - it's a complete cross-section and everyone brings something unique to the organisation."

Trevor adds: "I previously worked in retail but I was bored and wanted to try something different.

"People tend to join the Specials for that reason, or perhaps to make a difference. They may have been a victim of crime themselves or worried about issues in their area and decided to do something about it.

"I would add that although we do not receive a wage, Specials are paid expenses."

There's no particular requirements for joining the Specials. As long as you're aged between 18 and 55 and have a reasonable standard of education there's nothing stopping you filling in an application form.

Once a series of checks are done the candidate is invited for an informal interview before being required to complete the police initial recruit test (PIRT), which has questions on general knowledge, literacy and numeracy.

There then follows a course held over 10 weeks at police headquarters, Winfrith. Recruits usually go on Saturdays or Sundays but arrangements can be made to attend during the week.

Specials get their uniform at the end of the course and are sworn in as a constable of Dorset before being sent out on the beat.

For the first year the Special will be assessed and will team up with an experienced part-timer or a regular on patrol. The job could involve dealing with a drunk person or attending a serious incident to support the regulars.

Trevor Lewis says: "Every job is different to the next but generally Specials support the work of regular officers. However, a Special could well be the first officer on the scene of an incident which means they will have to take the lead until support arrives."

He adds: "The work is certainly an eye-opener.

"Policing has changed over the years and now the public expect the police to sort out all their problems.

"The force only has a certain amount of things it can do but being part of the Special Constabulary means you can spread the thin blue line even further.

"Specials can dedicate as much time as they're able to give, although the more we have working in the community the better."

*Liz fulfils childhood dream

"I'M A 51-year-old granny and if I can do it then I'm sure others can," remarks Special Constable Liz Sanders.

Liz wanted to join the police in her native Scotland when she was younger but found her career path barred because of her height.

The restriction has since been removed but it was too late for Liz.

Fortunately though, she has been able to fulfil her childhood dream by joining the Special Constabulary.

She is one of 37 officers in Weymouth and has been pounding the beat for 12 years now.

Liz, who lives in Wyke Regis, Weymouth, and is married with two children and two grandchildren, said: "I joined the Navy where I met my husband and we moved to Dorset in 1972.

"Later I applied for a job in the inquiry office at Weymouth police station. I didn't get the job but I ended up chatting to a nice inspector who asked me if I had thought about joining the Specials. He told me there was no height restriction anymore and gave me an application form and it went from there."

Because the duties of a Special are the same as a regular officer, Liz has dealt with a wide range of incidents over the years including domestic disputes, sudden deaths and anti-social behaviour, as well as policing big events and demonstrations.

"I love the variety of work and I like the way it fits in with my other job," says Liz, who works as a school attendance officer at Budmouth Technology College.

She adds: "You can devote as much time to being a Special as you want. They like you to do five hours a week and if you do one night shift that covers it. You get to know the community in this job - good and bad - and every shift is different.

"It would be good if we had more older people joining up.

"A lot of young people are interested in the job but it shouldn't stop older people applying."