In 1740, the Bow Street Runner were the first paid police officers, they were incorporated into the new Metropolitan Police Force (founded by Sir Robert Peel 1829).
In 1831 the Special Constables Act gave Justices of Peace (magistrate of the lowest level of court systems) power to enrolling men as Special Constables when needed to help assist police in potential riots and social unrest.
The Special Constables Act (1914) permitted the recruiting of Special Constables for the duration of World War One. This act proved to be very successful. So in 1923 another act was passed to allow continued recruitment of Special Constables.
The Police Act (1964) established the Special Constable in its present form and gave Chief Constables the power to appoint and manage Specials.
Special Constable
Vs
Police Constable
The Special Constables and the Police Constables carry out different roles as well as the ordinary roles. Special Constables are made up of volunteers who receive training from their local police force to work with and offer support to regular police officers. Specials have the same powers as a regular officer and wear a similar uniform. While, Police constables serve the community. They aim to protect life and property, preserve order, prevent and investigate crime, and detect and prosecute offenders.
The Police Constable training is made up of a two-year training programme. This programme is made up of a number of stages:
Stage 1 (In force, 2 weeks minimum): Introduction to policing. The trainee Constable is expected to;
- · Gain a basic understanding of the role of a police officer
- · Learn how to deliver the best service to the public
- · Some forces extend this to up to five weeks and include elements (like a driving course).
Stage 2 (Training Centre, 12 - 15 weeks). Here they study the law and learn core skills needed to deal effectively and professionally with a range of operational incidents.
Stage 3 (2 weeks). In this stage the trainee constable is accompanied on patrol, they learn about local procedures, force priorities and their local communities.
Stage 4 (On patrol with a Tutor, 10 weeks). Here they work with a trained tutor constable as they put everything they have learnt into practice on patrol under his or her guidance
Stage 5 (2 weeks). the suitability of independent patrol is assessed. The trainee constable also learns more about local procedures and policing plans.
Stage 6 (Remainder of probation including a further 30 days’ minimum training). This final stage ensures that the trainee constable is conducting core operational tacks in an efficient and professional manner.
After training, police constables work as uniformed constables on the beat (either on foot or in a patrol car) or on police station duties. These can be varied from working on the reception desk and dealing with the public, custodial duties to working in the communications room in two-way contact with officers on the beat. Once specials have the right training and enough practical experience, they can expect to take on more responsibility. Some forces also have several grades within the Specials. Promotion is achievable through good performance, dedication to duty and proof of leadership qualities. However, the Special Constable Training is slightly different to the full-time Police Constable.
Specials are usually asked to spend some of their weekends training at first, followed by regular evening and update sessions working through the national training package. Through this training, they aim to gain a thorough grounding in many aspects of police work before they are prepared to carry out any police duties. The training consists of:
- learning about the police service and the duties of a police officer
- powers of arrest
- common crimes
- how to prepare evidence for court
- self-defence
- techniques for dealing with awkward situations or people.
The tasks carried out by both the Police Constable and the Special Constable are very similar.
Police constables undertake a range of tasks, including:
- responding to calls for assistance from the public
- making enquiries into crimes and offences and making arrests
- interviewing witnesses and suspects, preparing crime reports and taking statements
- searching for missing persons
- giving evidence in court
- attending accidents and fires
- policing large public events, concerts and demonstrations
- visiting schools to give talks.
Some the duties carried out by a Special Constable include:
- foot patrol
- working in schools to talk about safety and crime
- assisting in the event of accidents, fights and fires
- road safety initiatives
- house to house enquiries
- helping safeguard public safety and security at local or major events
- presenting evidence in court
- "Hotspot" operations to tackle underage drinking, criminal damage and nuisance/ public order
- Offering crime prevention advice and promoting property marking initiatives.
Although the duties carried out are very similar the pay and hours are very different. Police constables will normally work 40 hours a week on a shift system that can include nights, with two rest days each week. Constables would usually be expected to work weekends and public holidays. Overtime is often available. However, Special Constables often do a minimum of four hours a week in a single shift, but the working hours are flexible; as more hours are given if the Special Constable can spare them.
The Police Constable pay starts off at £19,803 a year that rises to around £22,107 a year after successful completion of initial training. With experience, earnings could reach around £31,092 a year after about 11 years service. The higher level rank the high the salary. There is also additional income for working overtime. A Special Constable does not receive a salary, as he/she is a volunteer. They do however, receive expenses for example travelling. They also given their uniform and training for free.
Conclusion
In conclusion the role of both a full-time Police Constable and a Special Constable is very important and influential to the communities they serve. They carry out identical duties, without either the other would be under strain of massive task of policing the country. The Special Constables provide support to Police Constables, however they may be at home, or bringing up a family, or in full or part-time employment in any one of a wide variety of jobs for example teacher, a taxi-driver, an accountant, a photographer. This is I feel makes the Special Constabulary in need for more praise. The diverseness of the Special Constabulary and the Police Constabulary helps the police service to be representative of the local communities they serve. Therefore neither the Special Constabulary nor the Police Constabulary is more important than the other. They both provide a vital service to the community.
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