PFEW accuses forces of ‘dragging their feet’ over membership of special constables
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) says it is ‘disappointed’ at a perceived lack of support being provided to special constables to join its 139,000-strong membership.
It believes this could be a direct result of many forces remaining undecided about “bearing the cost and reclaiming the expenses” they would incur towards sponsoring Federation membership of special constables.
This is despite the National Police Chiefs’ Council announcing in September last year that the expenses would be redeemable and issuing detailed guidance for chief constables in this regard, said the PFEW.
The new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which came into effect on June 28, allowed special constables to sign up for PFEW membership for the first time, giving them the same legal protection and representation as full-time officers.
To date, the PFEW has received applications from special constables in 20 of the 43 forces of England and Wales.
“Allowing special constables to become PFEW members has been supported widely by our membership and policing organisations of England and Wales,” said PFEW Special Constabulary lead Dave Bamber.
“It is disappointing that many forces are still discussing how to do it when time is running out fast. Specials play a dangerous and difficult role in society, and they need support in the workplace.
“Their membership will ensure they are treated fairly and not disadvantaged; the Federation will be there to offer that support.”
As on March 31, 2021, there were 9,174 special constables by headcount in England and Wales.
“A special constable is required to undertake a minimum of 200 hours of operational duty every year, spread over a minimum of 16 hours per month,” said PFEW national chair Steve Hartshorn.
“This means that 9,174 specials of England and Wales devoted more than 1.76 million hours over a year supporting the police in the protection of the public.
“It is only right that they have the same protection and support of the Federation as their full-time colleagues when they need it, and this can be achieved only when local chief constables and police and crime commissioners recognise their commitment.”
The PFEW says another problem is its lack of direct access to special constables in England and Wales. Since they are not Federation members, the PFEW does not hold any respective data for them making it difficult to establish direct contact.
It says it has been reliant on its local branches for this purpose and has recognised that there “appear to be challenges to special constables signing up despite their willingness to do so because of a lack of support from the local force”.
Mr Bamber added: “We do not think special constables should pay to protect themselves given that they are volunteers. They need to be supported by their forces.
“From a Special Constabulary point of view, the law change is a really big indication of acceptance within the police family and PFEW feels strongly that those volunteers facing the same dangers as our rank and file members should be protected.”