South Yorks: Police bid to attract more Special Constables

The event is to be held at the Lifewise Centre, Hellaby, Rotherham, from 10am to 1pm on Sunday 29th March.

Specials are volunteers who have the same powers as regular police officers.

Police chiefs want to boost the size of their Special Constabulary because of police officer numbers falling due to Government funding cuts.

Chief Officer Stephen Merrett said “During the morning attendees will have the opportunity to take a tour of the centre and get a glimpse of what is involved in the Specials training programme, as well as a chance to speak to a serving Special Constable about their roles and what it is like to be a Special in South Yorkshire.”

Superintendent Neil Thomas said: “We are hosting this event in a bid to recruit more volunteer police officers into the force.”

The force has 438 Specials and wants to have 500 by 2016.

Police are urging anyone who wants to develop new skills, meet new people and is ready for a new challenge to attend the event and consider a role within theSpecial Constabulary.

Presentations will take place at 10.15am, 11.15am and 12.15pm and they will be followed by different informative activities.

Superintendent Neil Thomas said: “We are hosting this event in a bid to recruit more volunteer police officers into the force. Special Constables make an exceptional contribution to our local communities on a daily basis.”

“These events enable anyone who has ever wondered what it would be like to be a volunteer police officer to find out more.”

Visit www.southyorks.police.uk for more information about who can apply to be a Special Constable.