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Special Constabulary

The Specials are a force of trained volunteers who provide a valuable link between the police and the local community. With the same powers as regulars they work in their free time on a variety of police duties.

The Special Constabulary can play an important role in reassuring the public and providing a much needed 'sense of security'. Research shows that communities prefer visible, accessible and familiar policing, factors which can be enhanced by the development of a Special Constabulary.

Latest News

National Specials Weekend

The National Specials Weekend is taking place on 6 - 7 February 2010. The main purpose of this weekend is to highlight the vital roles performed by members of the Special Constabulary, and the ongoing contribution these officers make to policing within their communities, through a series of local events.

The nationally agreed theme for the upcoming National Specials Weekend is 'Road Policing Initiatives that Enhance Operational Delivery and Raise Public Confidence.' The aim is to raise public confidence and promote inter-force cooperation with bordering police forces. All Home Office police forces in England and Wales have been invited to organise events within their communities and a number of forces have arranged particular events and initiatives relating to the theme. Further details of events held and any outcomes derived will be communicated in due course.

Special Constable and Police Support Volunteer Awards 2010

The 2010 awards will take place on Thursday 17 June 2010, in Church House, Westminster.  The deadline for completed nomination forms to be returned to the NPIA is Friday 12 March 2010.

Read letter sent to Chief Constables announcing the awards.  

Also available -  nomination guidance and nomination form.

Special Constable Recruitment Brochure

female special at community event.A recruitment brochure for the Special Constabulary has been produced by NPIA.   It is hoped this will help forces in their recruitment campaigns.  Forces are welcome to make copies of this brochure and use it as they see fit. 

Download the brochure

Download Welsh language brochure.

Specials Magazine - December

The most recent edition of the Specials Magazine can be accessed via the following link. 

Download December issue

Specials Conference 2010

This conference will run from 19 - 21 March 2010. It is a biennial event and is being hosted on this occasion by the Metropolitan Police Service. The conference will include senior Special Constables and regular officers, local Specials, officers and police staff, as well as key national and international policing partners and stakeholders. 

SC 2010 is about sharing the success of the Special Constabulary. It aims to promote the significant efforts of the Special Constabulary's volunteer police officers in forces throughout England and Wales whilst also looking at the way ahead.

Please see the conference website for further detail

Special Constables Legal Fees Insurance Scheme

Please note the scheme was renewed from 1st April 2009 and the indemnity limit has been increased from £50,000 to £100,000.  The new Summary of Cover is available below, the terms and conditions remain the same. 

If you need legal advice or assistance due to an incident on duty, you can call Reynolds Dawson Solicitors on 020 7839 2373 (emergency out-of-hours number 07659 130481). It is not guaranteed that your claim will be met. 

Please see the Summary of Cover for further details.