14 replies to this topic

[bozzle]

Hi All

I would be very interested in your views on the Special Constabulary Review currently being undertaken by an Inspector. Sounds like they are taking in the widest range of input from all Specials and others in the force on how we can be managed and integrated with the main force. I think this has nearly been concluded and will shortly be submitted to the Chief Officer Group (COG) for formal approval.

There have been a number of rumours being bandied about regarding possible changes, but without repeating any here, wanted to hear your thoughts on what you think you would like to be changes (if anything) about the way we work, and if you think greater integration with the regular force could be better achieved?

What would you change?

Bozzle

Edited by Damsel, 19 March 2012 - 01:35 PM.
Removed officers name

[Giraffe]

I welcome the review and think it was long overdue. The first thing I would change is that every Special should be operational and should complete a minimum of two operational shifts amounting to 16 hours per month + a 4 hour training duty. I too have heard some quite dramatic rumours about what might be on the menu (again which I won't post here), and if I'm honest if the rumours are true I think it will be a good thing!

I think that unfortunately some (not all!!!!) Specials (both top brass and rank and file) have forgotten why they are there and the Special Constabulary has forgotten it's purpose.

[Ben.]

I wonder if this review has anything to do with Lyn taking over. She was a huge supporter of the Special Constabulary within the MPS, and supported us internally to progress.

[Giraffe]

I wonder if this review has anything to do with Lyn taking over. She was a huge supporter of the Special Constabulary within the MPS, and supported us internally to progress.

No, the review was underway long before she came back as CC. Every department within Surrey has had a review, not just us. Obviously the CC and the other regular Chiefs will have the final say on whether to rubber stamp the recommendations made.

[Ben.]

No, the review was underway long before she came back as CC. Every department within Surrey has had a review, not just us. Obviously the CC and the other regular Chiefs will have the final say on whether to rubber stamp the recommendations made.

Ah okay I didn't know if it was a new review or not.

I must say though. I feel any review is a positive as that is the most common time when developments are made within the progression of the constabulary and not to mention the collected good work is published from the review finding so the SMT will all be aware of the vast contribution the Special Constabulary provides.

Let's hope that progression within your force is on the cards based on the recommendations.

[Giraffe]

Ah okay I didn't know if it was a new review or not.

I must say though. I feel any review is a positive as that is the most common time when developments are made within the progression of the constabulary and not to mention the collected good work is published from the review finding so the SMT will all be aware of the vast contribution the Special Constabulary provides.

Let's hope that progression within your force is on the cards based on the recommendations.

I agree - exciting times ahead hopefully! We do have quite a lot of good opportunities for SCs already, but there are too many SCs that we just never see. We aren't nearly as effective as we could / should be.

[Sierra Papa 88]

Surrey are not even recruiting any more Special's at the moment. This review is looking at how the specials and regs work together because at the moment they dont at all where I work. A good thing in my opinion. I am a former SC and always worked with regs, but since ive been in Surrey I have never worked with one and have only ever seen one at a Sudden Death job I attended.

[Giraffe]

Surrey are not even recruiting any more Special's at the moment. This review is looking at how the specials and regs work together because at the moment they dont at all where I work. A good thing in my opinion. I am a former SC and always worked with regs, but since ive been in Surrey I have never worked with one and have only ever seen one at a Sudden Death job I attended.

That's the thing, I think it comes down to different locations the relationship between SCs and regulars can vary dramatically. Ultimately SCs are there to assist the regular force, and if we don't work alongside regulars on a regular basis (!), then we aren't providing the best service.

Are you still on TPT SP88? There are Specials attached to TPT but they are far fewer in number than on Neighbourhoods, but I can only speak for Northern - I don't know how many TPT SCs there are in the rest of the County.

[Indiana Jones]

Could be a double edged sword though - in areas where there aren't issues with integration the review may actually make practises more restrictive.

[Sierra Papa 88]

That's the thing, I think it comes down to different locations the relationship between SCs and regulars can vary dramatically. Ultimately SCs are there to assist the regular force, and if we don't work alongside regulars on a regular basis (!), then we aren't providing the best service.

Are you still on TPT SP88? There are Specials attached to TPT but they are far fewer in number than on Neighbourhoods, but I can only speak for Northern - I don't know how many TPT SCs there are in the rest of the County.

Yeah Giraffe I am still on tpt. I think that the Specials in Surrey are very much under used as a resource.

I think they are wasted on neighbourhoods as TPT is always short staffed with more jobs coming out than there are officers and having specials on the rota helping us out would be a huge help.

Trouble is like you say giraffe I dont see any specials at all, not even in the nick. Therefore the relationship between us is very very poor. I'm not sure how many SCs Surrey have but it would be intresting to know how many are currently active.

That's the thing, I think it comes down to different locations the relationship between SCs and regulars can vary dramatically. Ultimately SCs are there to assist the regular force, and if we don't work alongside regulars on a regular basis (!), then we aren't providing the best service.

Are you still on TPT SP88? There are Specials attached to TPT but they are far fewer in number than on Neighbourhoods, but I can only speak for Northern - I don't know how many TPT SCs there are in the rest of the County.

Yeah Giraffe I am still on tpt. I think that the Specials in Surrey are very much under used as a resource.

I think they are wasted on neighbourhoods as TPT is always short staffed with more jobs coming out than there are officers and having specials on the rota helping us out would be a huge help.

Trouble is like you say giraffe I dont see any specials at all, not even in the nick. Therefore the relationship between us is very very poor. I'm not sure how many SCs Surrey have but it would be intresting to know how many are currently active.

[Indiana Jones]

Yeah Giraffe I am still on tpt. I think that the Specials in Surrey are very much under used as a resource.

I think they are wasted on neighbourhoods as TPT is always short staffed with more jobs coming out than there are officers and having specials on the rota helping us out would be a huge help.

Trouble is like you say giraffe I dont see any specials at all, not even in the nick. Therefore the relationship between us is very very poor. I'm not sure how many SCs Surrey have but it would be intresting to know how many are currently active.

I don't think that just because TPT are understaffed, that Specials are wasted on NHoods.

Additionally, if you look at the shifts that TPT do and the difficulty in fitting into a rota it's not surprising that very few SCs are able to meet the logistal requirments placed upon them to work with TPT - it can be hard to even get SCs on secondment to cover of some of the things missing on their PDRs.

I don't know where you work out of but if it's SL then there aren't a lot of officers posted there which is why you might not see them very much.

In my borough (and others I'm sure) the NH SCs assist TPT and vice-versa and have a very good working relationship - often looking after TCV which frees up TPT to look after more traditional repsonse jobs.

[Markdn]

Therefore the relationship between us is very very poor. I'm not sure how many SCs Surrey have but it would be intresting to know how many are currently active.

Hi SP88, I was looking on this website for something else and found this recent FOI request that answers your question...

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 165-12-128

I write in connection with your request for information received on 22nd February 2012.

The Information that you have requested is held in part by Surrey Police.

Q1

. The total number of operational Special Constables in the force? By operational I

mean SC’s who have carried out at least 16 hours a month consistently for the last 6

months.

A1

. In line with the parameters as set out, the number of operational Special

Constables for the period September 2011 to February 2012 was 178.

Q2

. The total number of Special Constables in the force, this number may include

SC’s still in training, those that are non operational (as defined by requester) or on a

career break.

A2

. As of January 2012, the force had 345 Special Constables.

Edited by Markdn, 23 March 2012 - 02:22 PM.

[Giraffe]

Hi SP88, I was looking on this website for something else and found this recent FOI request that answers your question...

Well that's interesting. I'm sure there aren't 167 SCs going through training at the moment, so even allowing for those that are - what exactly are all these other Specials doing? It doesn't surprise me to be honest - the regulars rightly point out it's always the same people you see working.

[Rooster1]

Well that's interesting. I'm sure there aren't 167 SCs going through training at the moment, so even allowing for those that are - what exactly are all these other Specials doing? It doesn't surprise me to be honest - the regulars rightly point out it's always the same people you see working.

There are 3 classes to my knowledge going through at the moment, that makes roughly about 40 specials currently training

[bozzle]

I was told that in Surrey the classes running at the moment will be the last for a while, although this will stop for the Olympic functions anyway. There are so many non-IP officers out there that they want to get a lot more through to IP status before the next training begin.
I think this must be so that there are more IP officers out there to look after them. In my borough this might be sorted with more formal integration with the regulars. Some like Mole Valley I hear get hooked up with a regular officer quickly. I would have thought that this would make more sense as this would bring on the junior officer more quickly and help out the regulars double crewing. Getting more units out there. My area is lucky as we have a great relationship with the regulars, and can work with them if we (ourselves) organise this. I hear from others I trained with that this is not always the case, and in some areas, SC’s only seem to patrol with other SC’s. I think this is a shame, and missing valuable opportunities for both Specials and Regulars.