National Specials Week: An MPA colleague describes her experiences as a Special

A life in crime

I have always been interested in crime. I’ve worked in Feltham Youth Offenders Institution, forensic psychiatric units and as a community safety officer. And like many community safety officers I harboured a secret ambition to throw on a high vis jacket and walk the beat.

However a police officer’s normal working week of shift patterns did not suit my personal circumstances. But being a Special gives me the best of both worlds – the positive experience I wanted combined with the ability to patrol at a time that’s good for me.

For the past two years I have served in Lewisham and every time I put my uniform on I feel an enormous sense of pride. It’s hugely rewarding and challenging but never ever dull. And it’s a constant learning curve about the police, people, new legislation and processes, and pushing personal boundaries.

There have been many highlights and a few embarrassing moments. When I first started I had never seen a firearms officer and I mistook one for an ambulance man. Thankfully my observational skills have improved and now I look for the gun!

I have attended some strange calls - like the time when we had to be on the lookout for a 50 year old man in a cowboy’s outfit who had reportedly just robbed someone. Needless to say, our cowboy was easy to spot in Catford Broadway.

I have also had to assist in and make a number of arrests. I don’t know who’s more nervous when I present a detainee to the custody officers, me or the detainee! I’m always worried I will get the legislation wrong or forget my ROAST - Reason Of Arrest, offence, allegation, Summary of events and Time of arrest - the police service love their acronyms.

I made an interesting arrest when I attended a road traffic accident. One of the drivers was a young man who on initial contact seemed very coherent, until a breath test revealed he was more than three times over the legal limit. And a subsequent search revealed a large amount of cannabis.

Processing a detainee can involve a lot of paperwork and although this can be difficult and time consuming it is vital we get it right or else cases will be thrown out.

I am always conscious of the responsibility and the power I hold when on duty. Whether it’s taking a report of a missing child or attending a domestic violence incident, people look to you for reassurance when they’re at their most vulnerable and you have to get it right.

Joining the Special Constabulary has been one of the most fulfilling things I have done. I have a huge amount of admiration for the thousands of regular officers that work in one of the most challenging but rewarding professions.

Anyone interested in crime should apply! www.metpolicecareers.co.uk

Special Constable - Overview

The Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) is a force of volunteers who work with and offer support to regular Metropolitan police officers, providing a vital link with the people of London's 32 Boroughs.

Afforded the same powers as regular officers and wearing the same uniform, special constables are everyday people who are prepared to give up at least 25 hours of their spare time each month to do something positive for themselves and their community.

As a special constable you will be involved in all aspects of policing London, enjoying a variety of roles and carrying out such duties as:

• Foot and vehicle patrols
• Anti-Robbery initiatives
• Working in schools to talk about safety and crime
• Assisting in the event of accidents, fights and fires
• Road safety initiatives
• House-to-house enquiries
• Helping safeguard public safety and security at local or major events
• Presenting evidence in court
• 'Hotspot' operations to tackle underage drinking, criminal damage and nuisance/public disorder
• Offering crime prevention advice and promoting property marking initiatives.
• Employer-supported dedicated patrols such as ShopWatch.
• Special constables can also be deployed in a central 'Tasking Unit' that provides a significant number of officers to support operational needs across the MPS

While you won't be paid for your time, your travelling expenses will be covered and you will receive an allowance for refreshments bought while on duty. You will also receive your uniform, together with a further allowance for footwear.

In addition, your training and duties will provide you with a number of intangible personal rewards, interesting experiences, new friends, additional skills, a sense of achievement - they all ensure that you benefit from your time as a Special as much as the community you serve.

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