GUEST COLUMN


SPECIAL CONSTABLES: THE VOLUNTEER VANGUARD


Volunteers in the Special Constabulary stand at policing’s frontline, blending civic duty with professional grit, proving indispensable in restoring trust,


tackling crime and shaping community-led intelligence, writes guest columnist Steve Dodd, former South Wales Police detective constable


When I think of the Special Constabulary, I recall Oscar Wilde, ‘Every Englishman is convinced of one thing: that to be an Englishman is to belong to the most exclusive club there is’. It is a sentiment I feel most appropriate, as the principle of someone volunteering their service in often hostile, violent, and heartbreaking environments; is one I’ve always held in the highest regard. It’s on that basis that I share these thoughts today. None of us are under


32 | POLICE | FEBRUARY | 2026


any illusions that a period of uncertainty lies ahead for the public and policing alike. In a time when many expect more-


“The twenty-first century challenge is to innovate by offering progressive solutions whilst in the meantime recognising more value on the work carried out by SCs.”


for-less the vital service provided by Special Constables (SC) should neither be abused or underestimated. The work


they carry out is more important than ever and therefore, clear decisions are essential when it comes to the Special Constabulary. It’s vital to dispel reservations, allay concerns and confront issues, none of which are seldom new with the existence for over a thousand years of a voluntary sector law enforcement office found at the heart of


many organised and civic societies. The so-called ‘Peace Officers’ of the 9th-century led the way through to


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