FEATURE
have our services for free but if we get into hot water, we’re on our own. Having the Federation behind us would provide added reassurance.”
Chris Burns
“ It’s an opportunity for Specials to be taken more seriously and having the support to go further.”
“There’s been a few times when someone we’ve dealt with has threatened to make a complaint,” she says. “I’m surprised how many people don’t like the police and think we’re just a uniform not a person. I wouldn’t know what to do or where to get support if someone made a complaint about me.”
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Karlee’s Bedfordshire colleague, Lizzie Davies, worked in a Force control room and became a Special after feeling frustrated at not being able to help the officers on the end of the phone line. She has been volunteering since 2019 and dealing with countless reports of Covid-19 breaches. “You’d be surprised at how many people report their neighbours,” she says. “At one point my crewmate and I went to 30 such jobs in a 12-hour shift. I see it as alleviating the burden on regular officers.” Lizzie might apply to become a regular
officer one day but for now, being a Special is the best of both worlds for her. She adds that Specials bring useful additional skills, for example, she has colleagues who are social workers and mental health nurses in their day jobs. “That’s really helpful when you think that 50 per cent of our jobs are mental health related,” she says. Lizzie feels the lack of legal cover
for Specials is an issue. “I’m confused by the idea that the police are happy to
NHS EXPERTISE Jennie Caukwell is a business manager for the NHS who has been volunteering as a Derbyshire Police Special Constable for 15 years, working alongside section, football and roads policing. Prior to that she was a police cadet in Lincolnshire and a Special there for four years. Her day job is making sure people are getting the best healthcare outcomes and giving patients a say in their treatment. She’s able to carry her expertise over to the Specials, for example dealing with mental ill health and knowing what support services are available. Jennie does a lot of work with roads policing officers around collision reduction and road safety. She checks vehicles and issues tickets for any offences and deals with collisions as well. She joins response officers dealing with criminal damage, domestics and 999/101 calls. She says: “With the policing, you get
to see a different side of life and people. You can be going into quite tricky family situations or meet people who quite clearly need help or advice and support. And there’s the other side of engaging with people at football matches (prior to the pandemic), helping motorists out, educating them, making sure their car is roadworthy and safe. It’s being able to see the impact that you can have on them by engaging with them and giving that support.
“I’ve been fortunate to work
alongside other Specials. I work with less experienced Specials and help them to develop their skills and competences. They come out with me and I help get them up to speed and build their confidence.” Specials are more integrated into the Derbyshire force than in the past and are treated as an important resource, which Jennie likes. She volunteers around 40 to 50 hours every month and admits that policing has become part of her life. She adds: “It can be nice after a demanding day at work to come in, do a shift and not have to think about the day job. Specials doesn’t feel like a job – because I’m volunteering, I’m here to help out.”
Jennie thinks Federation membership
will be a positive and especially having legal back-up and advice. “You just don’t know when you’re going to get a complaint,” she adds.
FEDERATION MEMBERSHIP WOULD ENSURE
SAFETY AND PROTECTION
PFEW National Board member Dave Bamber, writes: “Legislation to allow Specials
to become members of the Police Federation is working its way through Parliament as part of the Police Powers and Protections Bill. The role of the Special
Constable has developed over many years. Those warranted officers are taking risks on behalf of society and the police service. Those risks could impact on them personally and individually quite significantly. Federation representation would help ensure their safety and protections – so that their interests are heard and are at the forefront in their deployments. We don’t believe it would be
fair to ask Specials to cover the cost of their subscriptions while they are protecting society as volunteers. There is a dialogue we’re having with Police and Crime Commissioners and the NPCC about how membership can be paid for. The talks are very positive and pushing against an open door. We predict that during this year everything will come into place.”
FEBRUARY 2021 | POLICE | 27
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