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[Fedster + 1,307]

Experienced special constables will be deployed by constabulary looking to boost their numbers.

A force looking to hit a target set by its PCC for specials numbers is bringing them into its criminal investigation department.

Superintendent Simon Anslow, who leads on the special constabulary for Essex Police, announced the new policy on social media.

He said: “We've just advertised new opportunities for independent patrol specials to work alongside regulars in detective roles.

“Officers will get additional training in investigation and interview and a national accreditation. Help out in new ways.”

The force is looking for six of the officers who will undergo a “number of trial duties” which will be monitored by a detective sergeant. More may be taken on in future.     

They will have the opportunity to take the national investigators’ exam and will be PIP1 and potentially PIP2 trained.

Questioned about the caseload taken on by investigators and the officers having their own full time jobs, the superintendent said: “We’ll tailor the work to the volunteer, one of ours worked 2,120 hours in 2017 so he would be able to do it.”

Essex Police has been set a target of doubling its specials numbers from around 300 to 600 by its Police, Crime and Fire Commissioner Roger Hirst.

Last year it announced it was deploying some to firearms licensing duties, while declining to rule out job cuts in the department.

There is a national shortage of detectives, which HMIs have warned is risking a crisis in policing.

Other forces, including Hampshire Constabulary, have previously brought specials into their investigation teams.

Last year the Met recruited former specials into CID via a direct entry scheme, but they switched to paid roles when they were taken on.

Ian Miller, chairman of the Association of Special Constabulary Chief Officers, told Police Oracle: “It seems to be a very sensible thing to get specials to do. They’re doing things that nobody else would be doing and we know it’s a major issue for public confidence if things aren’t investigated.”

But some responses have been more sceptical regarding Essex’s plan.

One Twitter user said: “Once they complete the NIE (and taken that opportunity from a regular) they can leave and get an investigatory role in the private sector with a qualification paid for by the police. There are so many issues with this scheme.”

Police Oracle asked Essex Police why warranted specials are preferred to help with investigations rather than other volunteers, if a larger number of minimum volunteer hours will be required from the recruits, and if they will manage cases from start to finish. 

A spokesman was unable to answer our questions before this article went live.

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[BlueBob + 690]

In concept why not, if they have a skill set or aptitude for a police role then it would be wasteful not to exploit and gain from it - after all we hear of SCs involved in other non-response type roles, why should this be any different?

[Zulu 22 + 4,570]

Policing on the cheap, every PCC's dream. Pity that it takes years of experience for many regular officers to achieve. 

[Mac7 808]

In concept why not, if they have a skill set or aptitude for a police role then it would be wasteful not to exploit and gain from it - after all we hear of SCs involved in other non-response type roles, why should this be any different?

 

I don’t disagree with the concept. However, this is about a shortage of staff whichever you they want to gloss it up. Specials should complement, not replace. Plus dipping in and out of investigation doesn’t help anyone.

[David + 4,981]

I don't disagree with basic idea in itself, but this is not about giving SCs the opportunity - or anything else for that matter -  it's about plugging gaps due to savage cuts and 'my God we've got to do something, quick'.

[Beaker 817]

If they're bringing some specialist skills then what is the problem? If it is just to plug a gap (even as an SC myself) I would be uncomfortable doing that.

[obsidian_eclipse + 1,202]

I don't see any problems with a special working alongside CID if they have the hours to put in and get along with the officers doing the job. It would be near impossible to 'replace' regular officers due to the lengths of some investigations etc.

[Zulu 22 + 4,570]

13 minutes ago, obsidian_eclipse said:

I don't see any problems with a special working alongside CID if they have the hours to put in and get along with the officers doing the job. It would be near impossible to 'replace' regular officers due to the lengths of some investigations etc.

Totally impractical.

[Growley + 2,436]

Totally impractical.

Depending on the hours they worked, it could be totally impractical for them to maintain their own investigative work file. However, they could potentially be of use by performing certain enquiries on behalf of an OIC; giving an already overloaded officer time to get on with other things. If they bring specialist skills to the table in doing this, even better.