NCJ Number
123788
Journal
Policing Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1989) Pages: 265-286
Date Published
1989
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Special Constabularies provide a link between the police forces of the United Kingdom and their communities. The results of a survey of 915 special constables and 603 regular officers touch on the increased recruitment and deployment of special constables and the implications of giving private employees police powers.
Abstract
The current force of special constables is one-third female, although women are predominantly placed at the bottom of the hierarchy. The age range for the force is between 18 and 65 and nearly 60 percent have professional, intermediate, or skilled non-manual employment. Applicants are recruited through publicity drives and by word of mouth; they join from a desire to help the community or thoughts of applying to the regular police forces. While official minimum attendance requirements range from zero to four hours per month plus training, unofficial minimum hours imposed from within the special constabulary hierarchy are often more onerous. Special constables may be deployed alone, with another special, or with a regular officer; most often they assist in general foot patrols while other duties include providing manpower for local events or training and station deployment. There are wide discrepancies over deployment practices between forces, with some force allowing specials to carry and issue tickets, take the police driving test, participate in plain clothes operations, and use certain regulation police uniforms and equipment. While the British government sees the role of special constables as one of the normal police mechanisms, their effectiveness could be improved by creating two branches, one for careerists concentrating on policing skills and one for developing a community-oriented force. 10 references. (Publisher abstract modified)