Volunteers’ Week: An insight into being a Special Constable

This week celebrates Volunteers Week, (June 2-8) a chance to recognise the commitment and dedication of all the people who give up their free time to help others, including those right here at Dyfed-Powys Police.

Working on the front line is no easy task, but the force’s band of volunteers – the “specials” help ensure our communities are kept safe alongside full-time police officers and PCSO’s.

What is a Special Constable?

Special Constables are volunteer police officers who have full police powers, uniform and equipment and work alongside full-time police officers and PCSOs to keep Dyfed-Powys safe.

They give up their own time to work right at the heart of day-to-day frontline policing whether that may be attending collisions, dealing with incidents of domestic abuse, making arrests or being visible in the community on foot or car patrols.

The specials commit to a minimum of 16 hours a month, which can be tailored around their family and work needs. Dyfed-Powys Police is also part of the Employer Supported Policing Programme, so long as they give at least eight hours of their own time, they will be supported with eight hours of time away from their police staff role to carry out special constable duties.

Every one of our Special Constables brings a unique skill set and life experiences to not only their team but to the force, giving our officers a fresh perspective on the situations they encounter daily.

Police sergeant Terri Harrison said:

“Special Constables generously give their time, skills and commitment to support both regular officers and the people we serve.

“Through their dedication, professionalism, and deep-rooted passion for public service, their voluntary service makes a meaningful difference every day - helping keep our communities safe while setting an inspiring example of civic duty.  We are incredibly grateful for their selfless contributions.”

 

We caught up with two of Dyfed-Powys Police’s special constables about why they volunteer and what motivates them in their roles.

 

Special Constable Tom Sellers

When Tom Sellers became a victim of crime, he felt let down by the police force that had a legal duty of care to help him.

Determined not to let his negative experiences of the police get to him, it inspired him to think how he would have made a difference.

As well as running a farm and being a business consultant, Tom looked at becoming a special constable and has been volunteering for Dyfed-Powys for just a month.

“I was let down quite considerably by another constabulary and that was predominantly down to a lack of police resources,” Tom said.

“I didn’t anyone to go through what I did again for that reason and so I thought I would try and do something positive to try and eliminate something like that happening again to anyone else. That was my main motivation, although I always had an interest in the police service growing up.”

Tom also has a 140-acre farm and is a business consultant for agricultural, but he has already exceeded his 16 hour minimum volunteering duties, based in Newtown.

He said:

“I am thoroughly enjoying being part of the team. I love the flexibility being a special gives you and while the farming season is quieter, I am able to give more hours helping out in the community.

“It is fascinating and you see a whole different side of life through policing. I feel the more you put in the more you get out. There is a good network of people, and the camaraderie is really good.”

 

 

Special Inspector Giles George

When not working on the frontline with the Welsh Ambulance Service, Giles George volunteers his free time as a Special Inspector in Powys.

Based out of Presteigne station, Giles has found the role so rewarding he has been a special for more than 36 years.

Over that time, he has racked up numerous awards and recognitions for his work volunteering but the most biggest reward he says is making a difference to people in the community.

He said: “I didn’t become a special to gain awards, even though it is lovely to be recognised. I started volunteering to help people and try and do something positive in my community.

“I absolutely love it. It is very rewarding and I have gained excellent skills which has held me in good stead working in the ambulance service and being in the police force.

"It’s also very flexible so I can do my full-time job and volunteer as a special. You have to initially commit to volunteering for 16 hours a month, but once you start most people enjoy it so much, they volunteer more.

"The job has enabled me to do things I wouldn’t have done before and I am proud that I can contribute in my community.

Giles takes his horse to various agricultural shows, community events and can regularly be seen with his horse in the area.

He said: “People are interested in the horse and it strikes up conversations. Sometimes, people go on to tell me about policing issues which I can then feed back but it also breaks down barriers with young people who may have used the horse as a conversation-starter to speak to me.”

Giles, 58, said he would encourage anyone thinking of joining the special constabulary, to enquire.

He said: “It doesn’t matter if you are young or old. It’s only a few hours a week and you gain an amazing sense of pride and satisfaction. You don’t have to use it as a platform to being a police officer in the future and you learn so many life skills. Every time I finish a shift I feel as if I have done something beneficial to help others, which is one of the best feelings you can have.”  

We are not currently recruiting for specials, but you can find out more here -  Special constable role | Dyfed-Powys Police