Do something special for community - police
VOLUNTEER bobbies are being urged to join the force to beat its recruitment freeze.
Gloucestershire police wants to sign up special constables after announcing almost 100 fewer police officers would be on the beat due to funding cuts.
Last month, it emerged new recruits taken on in last year's intake were not sent on training courses, leaving them unable to start their jobs. But in an attempt to increase its on-street presence, the police hope to bolster regular staff with specials, by taking on an extra 30 civilians before the end of next year.
Huw Jones, chief officer of the Gloucestershire Specials, said: "Specials means you perform the same duties as a regular officer. This includes walking the beat, traffic duties, schools and community initiatives and reducing the fear of crime among members of the public by offering crime prevention advice."
Candidates who are interested in joining the specials will be asked to carry out written tests and a medical before undertaking a four-month training course.
Assistant divisional officer Steve Lindsay, 33, is one of the longest-serving specials in the county. Steve, who works as an operations manager during the day, said: "The praise and thanks we receive from the community and our full-time colleagues keeps us motivated."
Special constable Dave Howe, 31, who works on the Gloucester beat, said: "Why worry or complain about crime and anti-social behaviour when you can actually do something about it?"
Call 01452 754 353. for details.
13 Comments
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by Anon, Glos
Saturday, March 27 2010, 2:36PM
“I know someone who became a "Special Constable", the truth of the matter is he is a power-hungry idiot who LOVES feeling like he has control. Can we really afford to have hundreds of control freak would-be vigilantes with badges running around telling us all off over stupid things whilst the real criminals get away with allsorts?”
by Hope, Cheltenham
Friday, March 26 2010, 10:17AM
“PLEEEEASE,!! -- GET THE CRIMINALS TO DO THE PAPERWORK ? -- YOU CAN SEE HOWTHAT WOULD CREATE A MUCKING FUDDLE .
BUT BY ALL MEANS PUT THE LEVEL HEADED VOLUNTEERS TO DO THE PAPERWORK., AND PUT THE EXPERIENCED OFFICER ON FRONTLINE.
gloucester resident -gloucester, ------ maybe it's something you said.”
by anon, tewks
Thursday, March 18 2010, 3:30PM
“I agree there's a minority who think that way, but there's also many people who expect absoloutly everything just because they pay taxes/council tax... ie moaning about the fact there's little bits of food left in their food caddie, expecting every single road and path to be gritted in freezing weather and so on.”
by Tim, Cheltenham
Thursday, March 18 2010, 1:51PM
“I am fully aware that some people already do voluntary work but the point is that many don't - they expect money and services for nothing.”
by anon, tewks
Thursday, March 18 2010, 1:31PM
“Tim, Cheltenham
Some people on benefits do voluntary work already. Alot of retired people have voluntary jobs. Some people in paid employment also do voluntary work. Your lack of understanding about this comes as no surprise judging by your other comments on this site. Have a nice day!”
by Tim, Cheltenham
Thursday, March 18 2010, 1:05PM
“Better still, get those people out of work and claiming benefits to do these jobs - we might then actually have enough traffic wardens to make a difference.”
by Tim, Cheltenham
Thursday, March 18 2010, 1:00PM
“So why bother having paid bin men, postmen etc etc when people can be asked to do it for free!”
by anon, tewks
Thursday, March 18 2010, 12:22PM
“Tim, Cheltenham
Pointless comment really about 'why should people give of their own time......'. People have voluntary jobs because they want to do it not because they have to. I also think it would be a good idea to have volunteers to do paperwork for the police if possible. To much police time is spent doing paperwork when they are needed on the streets and they themselves want to be out and about doing real police work, not sat behind a desk.”
by Joe Kinnarntew, Glos
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 7:33PM
“Gloucester Resident, Gloucester
Excellent, but what about the new lads, they'll be thrown in the deep end.
Why do we bother paying policemen, we could have all volunteers.”
by Gloucester Resident, Gloucester
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 4:14PM
“Laura Lynne Hardy - what a ridiculous comment.
My boyfriend has been a special for more than 15 years, and works frontline duty almost EVERY Saturday night - dealing with all manner of things from domestic incidents to drunk drivers and murders - he gives up 8 hours a week FOR FREE to help his community be a safer place to be.
What they should do with that mountain of paperwork is get it dealt with by the crooks that cause it in the first place - community service should be used in this way.”