1
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Do Specials wear a uniform?
|
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Yes, and in most forces these days it's practically identical
to the regulars' uniforms. Most members of
the public don't even notice the difference.
Some forces also provide footwear, most others
pay an annual "boot allowance". |
2
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How much do they get paid?
|
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Most Specials get paid nothing at all - really! Specials are
unpaid volunteers. In Northern
Ireland their reservists are paid, but they are the exception.
Various small trials and experiments with
"bounties" and other methods of
payment are ongoing, and it seems likely that in the not too distant future, Specials will be paid, at least a token amount. Whether paid or not,
Specials can claim travelling and out of
pocket expenses. |
3
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When do Specials go on duty, and what do they do?
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I used to go on duty just about every week, typically
at weekends, any time during the day, evening
and night, for at least an eight-hour shift.
Like most Specials, I could choose when I worked but would often be asked
to help out when the regulars needed extra
cover. When on duty I would do just
about anything and everything that the regular
officers do (take a peek into my pocket notebook
to read about a typical duty). |
4
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Do they carry handcuffs?
|
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Yes, although these days they are rigid bar
cuffs rather than the bracelets you see in
old movies. They are very uncomfortable to
wear so no, they don't get used, ahem, "off
duty". |
5
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Go on, show us your truncheon.
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When I joined in 1991, we did indeed
carry the short hardwood truncheon beloved
of
Dixon of Dock Green (very old UK TV series, for all you non-Brits).
But they were replaced some years ago by
the "ASP", an extendable baton
made of very hard steel. Other forces use
different types of batons. |
6
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What other equipment do Specials have then?
|
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Most UK police
these days carry CS spray. Like the
baton,
this is only for use in self-defence. Finally
in a nod to tradition, I was issued with
a whistle! |
7
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But Specials don't have the same powers as "real"
police officers, do they?
|
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When a Special is on duty, there is absolutely
no difference - he or she is a police officer
with full powers. Actually, everybody has
two powers of arrest, which is where the
"civilian arrest" comes from, while
police officers have an additional two -
you can find out more here. |
8
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Did you ever arrest anyone then?
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Lots of people, for all sorts of misdemeanours.
People react in all sorts of different ways.
Some come quietly, some kick up. Some even
burst into tears! It's a very, very serious
undertaking. You are taking someone's liberty,
the most important right of all. (Here's
a wry look at some of the things people say when they get nicked!) |
9
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Do Specials drive police cars?
|
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Some of them do! Most forces are moving
to allow Specials to drive as basic
drivers. This is the lowest authorisation
level and gives limited rights to drive most
police vehicles, marked and unmarked. Some
forces are now starting to authorise Specials
at higher levels also (see the news page for more information). |
10
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Why did you do it?
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I found being a Special enormously satisfying
- it's a way to spend your spare time getting
involved in a very varied range of tasks
while seeing aspects of life that you might
never otherwise get to see. I met a huge number of people (not all of
them pleased to meet me, of course!) and
loved the sense of never knowing what's around
the next corner (sometimes, literally!). It convinced me that I wanted to make a career of policing, and I have never regretted it for a minute. |
