Special Constable shares her volunteering journey

Originally from France, Special Constable Claire Orseau has been one of Hertfordshire’s part-time voluntary police officers for eight months now – and she loves it!

“For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to roles where I can serve the community and help others. As soon as I found out about the Special Constabulary, I knew I had to apply. The opportunity to work as a police officer voluntarily is ideal for me – it allows me to pursue a lifelong dream while maintaining my current job.”

Claire has noticed that her communication skills have improved. “I have also learnt to be more confident in my decision-making. However, it’s only the beginning, and I have no doubt that I will have greatly improved on so many aspects in several months! I also hope that the skills I already have, including speaking another language, can be of benefit to the constabulary.”

Special Constables play a vital role in keeping Hertfordshire safe. They have all the same powers as regular police officers, are highly trained and play an essential role in preventing, reducing and tackling crime and keeping the communities of Hertfordshire safe.

“I chose Herts because I've lived in this county ever since I moved to the UK, and I truly love it here. It felt natural to give back to the community and the county that has been so welcoming to me and my family. I don't regret my choice!”

Specials have a 13-week blended learning programme including an induction day, face-to-face classroom sessions and distance learning webinars.

“I loved the training!” said Claire. “The other Specials in my cohort were fantastic and there was a great team spirit. Even though it took up most of our weekends, I really enjoyed it and have many fond memories of that time.

“Our instructor was also excellent. He genuinely wanted us to succeed and taught us a great deal. Being a long-serving Special himself, his anecdotes, stories and shared experiences made the lessons engaging and prepared us to think like Specials – how to react in certain situations and so on.

“I personally feel the fitness test is quite achievable. I've been a runner for over 20 years, so perhaps I'm a bit biased. But for someone who doesn't exercise regularly, I believe that with some consistent training, it's definitely doable. The key is to train regularly in preparation.”

Becoming a Special is a big commitment, but many of our volunteers say that flexible shifts work well for them. Claire said: “I've recently changed jobs and now work as a franchisee for a professional ironing company. The tricky part is balancing my normal life with being a Special as I'm a mother and my husband is a researcher who works long hours.”

Claire has already had some memorable shifts. “Recently, my colleague and I had to chase someone for an attempted burglary and successfully caught him! The sense of achievement was incredible. The adrenaline rush and the satisfaction of doing your job well are priceless.”

She said: “My family are really happy for me because they know it's something I've always wanted to do. My mother worries a bit about my safety, but that's just being a mum.

“The ability to make a difference in someone's life and the knowledge that I've done something useful at the end of my shift is incredibly rewarding. Besides, the fast-paced environment, the unpredictability, and the constant challenges make it so exciting!”

If Claire has inspired you to consider becoming a Special, she shares the following advice: “If you want to help people, if you enjoy challenges, and if you want a job where every day is different, don't hesitate to apply – you'll love being a Special Constable!

“I do advise you to discuss your commitment with your family beforehand, as training will be held predominantly at weekends and evenings. When you become a Special, there may be some days where you volunteer during unsociable hours due to your duties. But if your family is supportive, go for it! It's an exciting, interesting job where you can learn a lot, gain confidence, become more assertive, and communicate more easily with all sorts of people. It's truly mind-opening and rewarding. I highly recommend giving it a try.”

For more information or to apply, please visit: Hertfordshire Special Constable - BCH (tal.net)