SPRING 2014 | ISSUE 13 SPECIAL CONSTABLE IS A REAL LIFE MOVIE HERO See pages 10-11 GMP Special Inspector Andy Steele has successfully achieved an Accredited Learning Programme in Volunteer Leadership award. The course aimed to develop skills for managing, leading and involving volunteers within an organisation. Chief Superintendent Nick Adderley, strategic lead for GMP Specials said “This is a great example of leadership and self development which is fantastic to see from our senior specials.” Met Specials Appoints Two New Welcome to the Spring 2014 issue Assistant Chief Officers of Special Impact – just in time for the SC2014 National Conference, A primary school head teacher and a senior fire officer which Durham are hosting on this complete the Senior Leadership Team of the largest occasion. Special Constabulary in England and Wales. Having seen the programme I Anthony Peltier, formerly a Special Chief Inspector on believe SC2014 will offer delegates the Metropolitan Police’s North Area is an experienced a wide range of workshops which primary school head teacher in Essex and has policed the focus on current issues and topics Borough of Islington for about a decade. relating to the Special Constabulary Rick Ogden, who was the Special Chief Inspector for in the current policing environment. Westminster before his promotion and prior to this, was As well as developing our knowledge the Staff Officer to the Metropolitan Special Constabulary and expertise, the event will also Chief Officer, John Conway. When not undertaking his give delegates the opportunity to policing duties, is a Group Manager for London Fire share and exchange good practice Brigade based in the Borough of Merton in his day job. with other forces, and renew The newly appointed Assistant Chief Officers both have contacts with colleagues. For strong leadership credentials and have completed me the big question is how can the Special Constabulary Senior Leadership Course at we continue to share our work Bramshill. and future practices nationally post event? Ways to share good practice was debated at the recent SUBSCRIPTION ENQUIRIES Citizens in Policing Conference with Mike Maywood an overwhelming outcome that has been appointed If you would like to join practitioners wanted a “stand alone” as Chief Officer of Special Impacts Citizens in Policing website to upload Northamptonshire e-subscription list please good practice, share ideas and Police Special email the editor: gather knowledge. Perhaps this can [email protected] be debated amongst those attending Constabulary. SC2014 during networking time? Chief Inspector In our current working environment, Gary Ashton said Special Impact is produced by where resources are stretched, I ”Mike is thanked Tina Shelton with support from feel it is important that we try and for his continued College of Policing, the Special communicate more nationally, Constabulary and practitioners. to share the work we are doing, commitment Design support from which will enable us to continue to to policing in SC Graham Holmes develop and support the Special Northamptonshire Constabulary into the future. and to the work of the Special Constabulary Enjoy this issue. Follow us on both regionally and Twitter Tina Shelton, Editor nationally “ @SCImpactMag 2 SPECIAL IMPACT ISSUE 13 CITY OF LONDON SPECIAL TWIN! Hannah Iqbal is a Special and a member of staff in the City Police Corporate Communications department. Hannah was working on a Friday night and said how odd it felt to see herself on bus shelters across the City. Ian Miller, Chief Officer for City of London Special Constabulary says “We stopped to take this photo and several members of the public recognised her and we got the “OMG - that’s you!” comments - pretty good for community relations.” GMP SPECIALS POSTIVE ACTION TEAM A Recruitment Event primarily for the Chinese Community at Wai Yin College took place recently on the City Centre Division. Inspector Maureen Conwell, who leads the Specials Positive Action Team, attended with Special Constable Gary Wong. There were 53 expressions of interest received on the day. ISSUE 13 SPECIAL IMPACT 3 FLOODS PORTLAND SIREN, DORSET by the sheer force of the water and wind. The only By Trevor Lewis – Specials Superintendent, Dorset link to the mainland was closed and Portland was effectively an island again. The 6th of January 2014 Portland was effectively an island again and there will be a day were 5 Officers from the Special Constabulary that I am policing on the island. unlikely to forget, for at Thankfully 2230 hours the sea that very defences evening, I held, and was on duty apart from on the Isle a couple of of Portland properties when the that were Environment Agency sounded the Flood siren – the flooded, very first time that it had been sounded since the there current flood defences were installed. Flooding was no on the Chiswell area of Portland, over the years significant had been a regular occurrence. In 1824 a great damage to storm killed 22 people and destroyed 25 houses. homes and In recent history, a major storm in 1979 caused businesses. The causeway was severe flooding re-opened after the water had and damage to drained to a level that was safe property. Since this for vehicles to pass. time, thanks to the major investment The strength and power of the in sea defences, waves have altered the shape flooding had of Chesil Beach. A massive become a thing of amount of flotsam and jetsam the past, but the have been washed up – recent weather including a cow and a dolphin. conditions, a deep There now begins the big clear low pressure up – ready for the next big one. system in the Atlantic, combined with gale force winds and very high tides all conspired to flood this small, but densely populated area of Portland. Predictions were made by the Environment Agency that the sea would overtop the defences, so a ‘Severe Flood Warning’ was issued. A major operation swung into action – all properties in the area had to be visited and the residents advised of their options. The Special Constabulary was called to assist the local council officials and the Environment Agency workers as well as HM Coastguard Teams. As the evening went on, the wind got stronger and the sound of the waves crashing on Chesil beach became increasingly louder. The spray overtopping the beach was spectacular – the danger was from the pebbles that were being swept up 4 SPECIAL IMPACT ISSUE 13 SURREY SPECIALS SUPPORT FLOODS MET SPECIALS WADE IN TO RESCUE STRANDED RESIDENTS The Special Constabulary Taskforce from the stranded members of public across to safety. Richmond Borough rescued 25 residents who were stranded on an island in the River Thames during The team of six officers walked across the flooded the heavy flooding in February 2014. area to the bridge, which is approximately 10 metres from the street and informed the people The team of Special Constables of the plan. The officers began to were called to Eel Pie Island carry people across the flooded following reports of rising river area back to dry land. levels causing the residents to be cut off. When the officers Special Sergeant Milad Amini said: arrived at the scene, they saw “The good news is that all those that the road next to the bridge stranded were piggy-backed to from the island was flooded safety from the flooded area and leaving the 25 people unable to were delighted to be able to get get across. home as a result. The water was about half a On the downside all of our metre high with strong currents uniforms and boots were very and floating debris. The officers wet and we had to spend the next realised that many of the people 40 minutes drying out back at the stranded on the bridge were police station before continuing very anxious about crossing the with our shift!” flooded area. Supt Debra Towns from Richmond upon Thames Due to the depth of the water it was not possible Borough said, “As police officers we get called to to drive a vehicle across to assist so the officers a wide range of things to deal with, but there are assessed the situation and decided that the best often concerned and frightened people looking to course of action was to simply walk across the us to help them and that is exactly what you did. flooded area to reach the bridge, then ‘piggy-back’ Another great job by Richmond MSC!” ISSUE 13 SPECIAL IMPACT 5 LINCOLNSHIRE SPECIALS IN FLOOD DUTIES “THE WORK CARRIED OUT BY THE OFFICERS WAS tremeNdOuS. THEY DID MUCH TO A total of 559 properties were flooded in fifty-two streets in the Lincolnshire SUPPORT THE town of Boston. This was as the result of a tidal surge, which caused the River PUBLIC WE SERVE, Haven to burst its banks – the largest surge known in sixty years. AND TRULY SHOWED THE SPECIAL CONSTABULARY AT itS beSt.” Officers were paraded for duty again on the following weekend, when they assisted in the recovery stage, making visits with partner support organisations to affected residents, to help in the assessment of their needs. Special officers were mobilised, with thirty seven officers performing duty on the night of the flood. Officers carried out a wide variety of duties, including supporting Rest Centres, giving aid to the public affected, and directing traffic and persons away from flooded streets. Chief Officer Steve Woodcock said: 6 SPECIAL IMPACT ISSUE 13 GMP OPERATION PEEL In order to meet the operational challenges force with the aims and objectives: to provide of policing their diverse communities, Greater a networking opportunity which can be further Manchester Police needs a workforce that reflects developed, highlight key stages of the current the people they serve.