Hertfordshire Constabulary welcomes 10 new Special Constables

Hertfordshire Constabulary formally welcomed 10 new Special Constables on Tuesday (23 April).

Specials are volunteer police officers. They come from all walks of life and volunteer their spare time for a minimum of 16 hours a month. Highly trained, with full policing powers including the power to arrest, they play an essential role in preventing, reducing and tackling crime.

The cohort were formally attested at a ceremony which took place at police headquarters in Welwyn Garden City. Friends and family were in attendance and witnessed the new officers take their oath in front of Justice of Peace Dr Stephen Pam.

Special Superintendent Mike Allardyce said: “Taking your oath to protect our communities in Hertfordshire is an extremely important moment in your lives. You join the police family and a fantastic group of volunteers who give up their time to do something they are passionate about and love. Hertfordshire’s Special Constabulary is highly regarded by other forces, and we will make sure you continue to receive fantastic training and development opportunities.”

Chief of Staff Jon Simpson said: “Huge congratulations to all of you. I know how hard you have all worked to get to this point and you should all feel immensely proud of what you have achieved. I’d also like to say thank you, as you are volunteering your spare time to keep our communities in Hertfordshire safe. This selfless act is very much appreciated, and I wish you all the best as you embark on your Specials career journey.”

The 10 recruits will be stationed across Hertfordshire with two officers heading to Welwyn Hatfield, two in Watford, two in St Albans, two in Dacorum, one in Stevenage and one in North Herts.

Applications to join our Special Constabulary are open all year round. If you’re looking for a rewarding volunteering role, becoming a Special could be a great route to consider.

If you’re concerned about fitting the role in with your day job, you may be interested in our Employer Supported Policing (ESP) scheme. ESP gives flexibility for Special Constables to carry out their volunteering duties and the constabulary will work with your employer to find a way that works.  For example, some employers decide to give the Special unpaid leave to undertake their duties whilst others are able to offer paid leave. It is definitely worth exploring if you are thinking about joining our Special Constabulary.

To find out more visit the Special Constable webpage.