Special Students On The Beat
A group of students are enjoying spending more time on the beat thanks to a unique partnership between North Wales Police and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.
Eleven students from the college’ Foundation in Policing Course have joined North Wales Police for a 10-week placement which began last week.
The students, which are all serving Special Constables with North Wales Police, will spend their time with several departments including Custody, the Roads Policing Unit, the Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Response Officers.
During their placement they will also be refreshed with personal safety training and first aid and will also be given further inputs on law and procedure.
Special Constabulary Chief Officer Mark Owen said: “North Wales Police currently works in partnership with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai who provide the Foundation Degree in Policing course as part of their Public Services Programme.
“We are pleased to be able to offer this unique opportunity for the students to join us on their ten-week placement. The course has been designed to equip the students with the necessary knowledge and skills required for an operational police role. By spending ten weeks with the force it will mean that they will get a variety of experience and work in partnership with regular officers.
“All of the students are already serving Special Constables, and over the coming weeks they will all be give specific tasks which they will need to complete during their attachment to assist with their development.
“Those Special Constables who have not yet reached their ‘independent patrol status’ will use their time to gather further evidence towards their personal development plans.
“It is important that the students gain a valuable insight into the role of being a full time police officer and it is equally as important that they gain valuable experience during their attachments. I hope they enjoy their placement and I look forward to seeing them during their time with us.”
Michelle McBreeze, Programme Leader FdSc Policing at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai said: “The eleven Specials are some of our 2nd year learners currently studying on the Policing course. They have all worked extremely hard completing assessments and course work over the last 18 months to learn the craft of being a Police Officer, however we recognise that it is essential that they now gain practical experience by working shifts and developing the theory they have gained at college into practice.
“North Wales Police have designed a full programme for the group which should give them the opportunity to complete a variety of actions to enhance their experience, and enable them to complete the FdSc Policing qualification. The partnership between Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Higher Education and North Wales Police will provide the learners with all the skills necessary to hopefully gain employment as police officers in the future.”
Special Constables are volunteers, from all walks of life, who want to do something positive for their communities. They undertake valuable work and form a vital link between the regular force and the local community.
Special Constables work alongside regular officers, and are expected to commit at least four hours service a week. They are given training and a uniform, and have all the powers and authority of regular officers.
Joining as a Special Constable no longer means simply standing outside pubs and clubs on weekends – it’s much more than that. They undertake a variety of roles – including working at events such as the Eisteddfod and the Anglesey Show, working with the Rural Crime Team, giving out crime prevention advice, tackling crime head-on by participating in warrants and even spending time with colleagues in CID roles.
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