Photo Gallery - Everything Else

Here you will find ride-alongs, assignments, and photos that just don't fit anywhere else!

TVP Specials Pass Their Test!

L-R: SO R Shircore, SC P Meacham and SO David Davies, all of TVP, after passing their 5 day driving course. Behind them is the Vauxhall Vectra 2.2 in which they qualified!

DO Davies of Thames Valley Police sent this photo of himself and two colleagues taken after they successfully completed their 5 day driving course at Upper Hayford.

He writes, "We all work out of Slough in TVP. The course was from the 27th April to 1st May. Qualification to attend the course involved taking a 2 hour assessment drive. The first day was basic eye tests and classroom work, and the next 4 days were driving a variety of vehicles including pandas, Galaxy, Vectra and minibus over a variety of roads and tracks. Even though I've been driving for 30 years, I learnt a hell of a lot. We were the first in TVP to be trained on stopping vehicles using head and blue lights."

Specials 9/11 Visit

SC7061 Dave Boyce and a number of colleagues from South Wales Police joined regular officers and staff from many UK police forces at the ground zero memorial in New York on September 11th 2002. Here's a number of pictures from their visit - you can read more in this BBC News story.

Cheesiest Recruitment Pic?

I found this on Strathclyde Police's otherwise excellent Special Constabulary recruitment page (link is here).

Is this possibly the cheesiest recruitment picture ever? I mean, how happy can this Special be? No wonder the regulars in front of him are smiling in a slightly nervous way. His colleagues are looking at him like he's from another planet (which is not far short of the truth). I'm not sure this guy should be allowed out, let alone in uniform!

Can you beat this with an even cheesier pic? You know what to do...

Ride-Along with Orange County Sheriff's Office

SC Tim Ellis of Nottinghamshire Police has sent me these great pictures from his recent visit to Florida where he went out with the Orange County Sheriff's Office. He says, "I would like to thank everyone at OCSO for their warmth and kindness, especially Deputy Felix Diaz Deputy Sean De-Grilla, Commander Tommy Stroud and Sgt. Hopkins. In particular though, most appreciation has to go to Master Deputy Steve Berens who took us to places I'm sure not many people get the opportunity of going to (including sitting in on a SWAT training lesson in the classroom). The reaction to me from the public was great also when they found out I was from England! I discovered that Policing is essentially the same over there; same calls, same problems, same idiots, different faces!"

Tim didn't get to go out with the Florida Highway Patrol but sends this pic for police car fans everywhere...	An ex-Israeli army APC which is available for use if necessary - they told Tim they haven't had to use it... yet!

Tim and Master Deputy Steve Berens (SWAT team leader). That's their helicopter behind - but sadly he didn't get a trip in it.	Tim wearing SWAT equipment - he says, "I don't know how they wear all this in that heat!"

This is Deputy Felix Diaz and Tim at 3am, the end of a long shift. Tim says, "Many thanks to Felix for looking after me that day".	The "Kill House" - a special steel fortified structure where SWAT practice building entries.

He Does a Lot of Work for Charity (Doesn't Like to Talk About It)

Farnham's Specials recently helped out with a "Charity Lock-In"... here's SC Matt Brown nicking the culprit - for wearing a comedy crook's outfit...

Tayside Uniform

From SC Bruce Ewart, Tayside Police
	Thought you might be interested to see what the jumper, cap badges and epaulettes look like for specials in Tayside Police.

Policing US Style

In April 2002 I had a fantastic day's duty with the officers of the Folsom City Police in California, USA. The officers looked after me like one of their own, and I got a great insight into policing in a US town. Here's some photos from the day.


Sgt Brad Parks with some of the SWAT team equipment. These guys have enough guns, grenades and ammo to start (or maybe finish) a small war.	SWAT vehicle parked in the back yard of the police station. This thing is built like a tank, complete with bullet-proof kevlar lining. What am I saying? It IS a tank!

Officer Ruth Woods (left) and Deputy Sheriff Julie Martino, who works at Sacramento County Jail. Ruth would like me to point out that she is standing closer to the camera...	K9 Officer Bobby Brown with his police dog "Ringo". The sign on the car means business - police dogs are trained to bite the suspect first and bark later!

Officer Brian Dean on his police Harley Davidson. A wonderful piece of machinery.	Officer Brown.

Just some of the many marked patrol vehicles sitting in the back yard. Each car is dedicated to a particular pair of officers - no begging for cars here!	Folsom's patrol cars are fitted with computers through which they receive calls and enter updates.

Close-up of a patrol car showing the livery.	Sgt Brad Parks' own motorcycle - yes it's another Harley!

I had a superb day and hope to do it again if I get the chance. If you're a serving special (or regular) and are going over to the US, try contacting (via phone or email) the Police Department at your destination. My guess is that they'll be pleased to host you for a visit or maybe even a ride-along like I did.

Nottinghamshire Bike Patrol

Here are some pictures of SC Tim Ellis (left) and SC Neil Hopgood (right) on duty with their new bikes in Nottingham City Centre in early 2001. It is always difficult to get operational pictures as you never think about taking a camera out on duty, however these were taken by a passer by!