A Special day to mark more than 7,200 hours of lockdown support

Devon & Cornwall’s army of 266 special constables worked 7,283 hours during April 2020 – an increase of 28 per cent on April 2019.

Today, Tuesday, May 19, marks National Specials Day to celebrate the support of special constabularies nationwide to frontline policing during the Covid-19 (coronavirus) crisis.

Special constables who give up their time to help tackle crime in their local area, support regular officers by going out on patrol and engaging with the communities, while having the same powers in law as regular police officers

Some special constables in Devon & Cornwall who have been furloughed or made redundant from their day jobs are volunteering over 100 hours a month to support colleagues on the frontline during the pandemic.

Devon & Cornwall Special Constabulary Chief Constable Marc Kastner-Walmsley said: “I am immensely proud of Devon & Cornwall Police’s special constables with so many of them stepping forward to support their communities during the Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

“It is remarkably humbling to see the level of commitment with some colleagues furloughed and others making additional time to come in and support regular colleagues and add resilience.

“I want to pass on my thanks to each special constable for their contribution during this pandemic, it has been truly remarkable, thank you.”

Devon & Cornwall Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, said: “The Devon & Cornwall Special Constabulary is integral to the delivery of service to the communities we serve.

“This current national crisis highlights once more the public spirited and professional approach of colleagues within the special constabulary.

“They too place others before self, and without them, we would be a far lesser organisation. Their determination and generosity has a special place in the collective heart of the police family and the hearts of our communities.”

In order to effectively run the special constabulary, the Employer Supported Policing Scheme (ESP) is an agreement between Devon & Cornwall Police and the special constable’s employer to release them for a certain number days a year to allow them to volunteer. Without employers allowing for this, special constables could not exist.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, said: “I want to thank all our specials who have been invaluable in the contribution they have made to protect communities at this challenging time whether that’s through adapting quickly to a new role, increasing their hours or even becoming a special in a full-time capacity during the pandemic.

“There are so many examples of where they have played a vital role in our policing approach and they have and will continue to make a huge contribution to the efforts of the Force.”

If you are interested in a role within the Devon & Cornwall Special Constabulary, recruitment is currently open. Please visit our recruitment site for further information. https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/specials/ 

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