Special Constabulary | Avon and Somerset Police
Many years ago I was working as an Early Years Leader in a village pre-school. We had a good relationship with our Neighbourhood Beat Team, and our PCSO was especially good at visiting the pre-school regularly. I was interested in learning what other aspects there were to his role, and so he suggested I join him on Avon and Somerset’s Ride-Along Scheme. I did so, and when he came to collect me, he was accompanied by another police officer. During the course of the shift, I discovered that the police officer was in fact a volunteer Special Constable, something I had never come across before. I was so fascinated, I basically interrogated the poor officer about her role, and by the time I was taken back home, I knew that it was something that I would like to do. The variety of challenges, the unpredictable nature of the role and the huge difference a Special Constable makes in our community was exciting to me. However, the timing wasn’t quite right for me. About 5 years later, my life had changed – I was doing a different job which was adversely affected by the recession, my kids had grown up and so weren’t taking up much of my time, and, although I had a lovely home life, friends etc. I had time for some personal reflection and realised I wanted a new direction, a new sense of worth where I could contribute to our community, give something back and make a difference.
When a recruitment advert popped up on social media about applying to be a Special, it felt as if it was meant to be, and so I applied .Happily I passed through the various elements of the recruitment process and felt really supported by the recruitment team from the beginning and by the tutors all the way through my initial training. There is so much to love about the role – This sense of belonging to the “Police family” was evident right from the start of my training when I received huge encouragement and congratulations on passing my fitness test and that this encouragement and recognition became a very welcome everyday culture. Knowing that there are people that really do have my back, and would drop everything to come to my aid if I needed it, is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced in any previous role. Then there are the situations that I have been in, or witnessed, the people in crisis that I have had the opportunity to help, and other incidents that I would have never experienced in my life otherwise. I have also been involved in lots of community and Police events and activities that I would never have dreamed that I would have the opportunity to experience. As a new recruit I was placed with an experienced tutor who was a regular police officer, offering me direct support towards becoming an independent Special Constable. Continued next page.
Subscribe to Bristol Weekly Magazine at www.directlocalbristol/bristolonline
19
