Special Constabulary National Strategy 2018-2023 Connecting communities to policing and policing to communities National Police Chiefs’ Council Contents 01 03 05 07 Foreword by Introduction Making the The Unique Selling Assistant Chief from NPCC best possible Point of the Special Constable Lead contribution Constabulary 09 10 11 13 2018–2023: Raising the Profile Widening Developing Prepared for of the Special Opportunities the Special the Future Constabulary for the Special Constabulary Constabulary 16 22 Overview Plan on a Page Foreword Volunteers have always played a vital part in policing. forward however, this stategy outlines a proposal for Without them, it is clear that a significant amount of the formation of a National Special Constabulary good work undertaken by forces simply wouldn’t Working Group. This working group will act as a forum happen. and platform for the Special Constabulary, with a remit to gather, progress and infuence on the key issues While the number of hours volunteered by Special which are important to you. Constabulary Officers can be counted, the real contribution in terms of energy and commitment The enactment of the Policing and Crime Act 2017 made by the Special Constabulary is immeasurable. now enables Chief Constables to designate a significant number of powers to Police Support The Special Constabulary has a long and proud history, Volunteers, powers that previously in a volunteering celebrating its 185th anniversary in 2016. There is no sense would only have been held by sworn Special doubt that the Special Constabulary is now funda- Constables. There is now a clear need to reconsider mentally more integrated into the fabric of policing the role of the Special Constabulary, and how the than ever, with Special Constables embedded in training, skills and the preserved powers that Special specialist functions including roads policing, rural Constabulary Officers have the privilege of holding crime, public order duties, professional standards and can be put to best use. cyber-crime among others. I am proud to lead the Special Constabulary arm of Despite this fantastic work, it has now been almost 10 the wider Citizens in Policing portfolio, and I am sure years since an overall strategic vision for the Special that upon reading this strategy, you will join me Constabulary was developed. In light of the challenges in celebrating the achievements of the thousands of and opportunities that policing will face over the next Special Constables across England and Wales. few years, it is timely to revisit this invaluable piece of work. Thank you for your special contribution This strategy aims to fill this void, and provide a focus Richard Debicki and vision for the Special Constabulary for years to Assistant Chief Constable come. It is intended to be a high level statement, as NPCC Special Constabulary Lead opposed to a detailed plan or methodology. Having said this, I do not underestimate how important some issues are to you. To take these issues 1 Introduction USP Sir Robert Peel said, “The police are the people and Citizens in Policing National Strategy for 2016 - 2019. contribution they can continue to make within the 2017 provided Chief Constables the ability to give the people are the police” and while this is often It is envisaged that this national strategy will be a living policing family and volunteering in the wider sense. previously unavailable powers to Police Staff and non- quoted around the world there can never be a truer document, enabling rather than restraining the ability warranted volunteers. This strategy therefore seeks to We believe that these empowered volunteers can personification of this ethos than our Special and potential of the Special Constabulary nationally, identify the unique selling point of the Special provide new ways in which we can engage with our Constabulary. regionally and locally to make the greatest possible Constabulary and where and how it fits into the wider communities and bring new breadth and depth into contribution. picture in terms of workforce balance. how we engage with local communities using the vast POLICING VISION 2025 The Policing Vision 2025 sets out the policing plan range of skills and life experience that they bring. A key strength of the Special Constabulary, one this over the next ten years. It will shape decisions around strategy explores in some detail, is that officers are We must support and develop those ‘Career Specials’ transformation and how we use our resources to help warranted Constables, with all the powers of a who have provided years of dedicated service and are to keep people safe and provide an effective, regular Police Officer. Coupled with their integration motivated by the desire to assist their communities in accessible and value for money service that can be into the communities they live, work and serve, their spare time, and whom we should seek to retain trusted. The Special Constabulary Officers are a key this combination is a key enabler of the Special for many years. enabler of this vision, through their unique and Constabulary and one that we must strive to further privileged position of holding the office of Constable, Equally, we must develop and support those who join develop in future. coupled with their integration into the communities the Special Constabulary with their longer-term goal Volunteers connect communities to policing and vice they live, work and serve. being to pursue a career within the regular service. versa. It is our intention to continue to strengthen our This should not be seen as a negative, and we should Moving forward to the present day, there has been a Special Constabulary programme to further enable the embrace their enthusiasm towards what is today a significant change in the policing environment, skills and knowledge that volunteers have and retain, well-regarded and legitimate pathway into paid therefore a reflection and re-evaluation of the national to enhance the quality of service we deliver. employment within the police service. Standing proudly alongside the Police Support strategy is timely. The additional complexities of crime, Volunteer and Volunteer Police Cadet strands of the Adding value and improving quality of service is also emerging demands on the service and issues such as Most importantly, we must continue to be imaginative wider Citizens in Policing umbrella, there is little key to what Special Constables can bring to policing vulnerability and safeguarding are now a fundamental and innovative, and be prepared to take a doubt that the contribution of the 13,500 Special and they should play a significant role in reassuring part of the role of the Police Service. While the transformational approach to how properly skilled and Constabulary Officers currently serving across the communities and increasing social responsibility. The previous strategy served us well it is time for a refresh motivated Special Constabulary officers can help keep length and breadth of England and Wales is a critical Special Constabulary contributes real value in financial and a re-evaluation of the strategy and its aims and our communities safe. terms to policing annually and is unique amongst element of the volunteering effort now engrained values. within everyday policing, and our communities. There has also been a significant investment in the volunteers in that its officers have full police powers We must seek to build on the great success Special development of Police Support Volunteers across and can directly supplement the regular service. This strategy is cognisant of, and seeks to complement Constabulary Officers have already achieved across most of the country and the Policing and Crime Act and underpin, the National Police Chiefs Council’s England and Wales, and recognise the value and the 3 4 Making the best possible contribution USP This Strategy is not intended to provide a “one size sexual assault, through to minor incidents of criminal with the increase in online offending are only some of With this in mind, it may be equally unreasonable fits all” solution, but rather provide a framework damage or petty theft or anti-social behaviour. Given the significant challenges that characterise policing in from a national perspective to aspire that the Special that Forces can utilise to ensure their Special this diversity of circumstances in which crime occurs the 21st century. Constabulary can fulfil every gap in demand, when Constabularies are being used effectively and and the varying frequency at which different types of this new and emerging demand is complex and What is clear, is that today only around 20% of the efficiently and are being focused on the areas where crime take place, it cannot be quantified by any single requires the skill and expertise of specialists such as overall calls for assistance received by the police they can make the best possible contribution. measure. detectives with years of training and development to service is made up of traditional volume crime, with investigate and manage more protracted or complex While the recommended models for deployment will Crime, by its nature, is often hidden, for example on the remainder made up of public safety and welfare investigations. This is not to say however that the apply to most Forces, it is recognised that local needs line crime, and there has been a notable shift towards and non-crime incidents such as mental ill-health, Special Constabulary cannot attract individuals from vary widely. However, the national strategy can be investigating those hidden offences and increasingly concerns for safety and missing persons. specialist backgrounds who possess relevant used to determine how to best use Special fulfilling a more protective role in order to safeguard Currently, a significant proportion of the training and experience and skills into specialist functions who Constabulary Officers to work towards local priorities, the public.