This Weekend June 4 And 5 Is National Specials Weekend
This weekend June 3 – 5 is National Specials Weekend which coincides with National Volunteers Week June 1 -12 and aims to raise the profile of Special Constabularies, both in local communities and at a wider, national level.
This weekend June 3 – 5 is National Specials Weekend which coincides with National Volunteers Week June 1 -12 and aims to raise the profile of Special Constabularies, both in local communities and at a wider, national level.
As part of the Specials Weekend officers from South Wales Police will be out and about undertaking a range activities, and promoting activity via social media using #specialsweekend. Special Inspector Philip Richards who has served with the force over over 30 years will also be profiled as part of the National Volunteers’ Week.
Weekend activity:
– supporting policing activity in crowd management at at XFestival & Stereophonics, Cardiff June 3&4
– working with the Swansea Met Police Student Volunteers at the Help Point June 5
– providing support to Safer Neighbourhood Teams 3 – 5 June
– speed awareness activities including heightening awareness at Ogmore Vale Community Engagement event June 5
– targeting anti-social behaviour thoughout the weekend
Specials Constables are volunteers who give their time to support local policing in addition to their regular jobs, they are our part-time police force, with the same powers as regular police officers.
Special Constables are local people, with local knowledge, which enables them to understand local needs. Their unique ability to engage with the communities they serve means there has never been a more important time to ensure our special constables play an integral part in the policing of our communities.
Special Constables are generally unpaid, but may receive reimbursement for mileage and other expenses incurred. Specials are required to commit to a minimum of 16 hours duties per month.
Chief Officer of the Special Constabulary Dale Cartwright speaks about what attracted him to the force and how it has benefited him: “I joined the Special Constabulary whilst I was a university student. It offers an ideal opportunity to learn new transferable skills and gain life experience, whilst at the same time allowing me to give something back to my local community.
“The opportunities that are open to special constables are endless. I have been fortunate to have undertaken a variety of operational roles from the diversity of local neighbourhood policing to the policing of large-scale events with the PSU; I was also able to train as a PSU Medic.
“More recently my role as Chief Officer has provided me with new opportunities to lead the Special Constabulary. It allows me to bring about positive change to ensure we deliver the best possible service to our communities whilst offering a rewarding volunteering experience to our special constables.”
Local Special Special Inspectors have the responsibility of deploying specials locally:
Susan Bishop, Cardiff and surrounding
Madeleine Clements, Bridgend and surrounding area
Jonathan Edwards, Training
Robert Lewis, Northern Pontypridd and surrounding area
Philip Richards, Roads Policing Unit
Mark Webb, Swansea and surrounding area
South Wales Police is committed to the Employer Supported Policing scheme whereby employers support employees wishing to volunteer their time as a Special Constable, by allowing them eight hours per month away from their paid employment in which to conduct duties as a Special Constable. This is on the condition that the minimum of 16 hours duties per month is been completed.
To find out more about the Employer Supported Policing Scheme email Denise Lodge – Extended Policing Family Co-ordinator.
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