Special constables – making a difference to neighbourhoods

This week (15 – 21 June) has been Neighbourhood Policing Week, which recognises the vital contribution of neighbourhood officers, police community support officers (PCSOs) and volunteers. 

We have a team of volunteer police officers known as special constables, who have the same power, uniform and responsibilities as regular, paid police officers, but volunteer on a part-time basis.  

One member of the special constabulary who is based within the Barnsley district is Special Sergeant, Josh.

His full-time role is a dispatcher within our Force Control Room where he assists in deploying officers and resources to a scene once the call has come through. Outside of this, he works as a special constable in the Barnsley area, based out of Royston police station and has been part of the special constabulary for seven years. 

Josh said: “I wanted a new challenge in life which would bring exciting opportunities I wouldn’t experience in day-to-day life. I decided to apply to become a special constable as a ‘try before you buy’ as I initially wanted to become a full time police officer, but I decided to stay on within the special constabulary so I could still experience what it was like to be an officer and keep our communities safe, while staying in my day job in the Force Control Room.”

 

 

Taking on the role of a special constable can bring many rewards, and people often gain confidence and new skills. There is also the opportunity to work with a team of great people within our neighbourhood teams and ultimately, helping people in need. 

Josh says the team in Royston have been very busy recently, dealing with a wide range of incidents where he and his fellow special constables have assisted the regular neighbourhood officers with warrants and protecting vulnerable people. 

“Myself and some of the other special constables recently carried out a number of warrants at addresses across the Athersley area, where £8,000 worth of cash, high-value items and drugs were seized following intelligence from communities. We have recently seized a number of off-road bikes from across the area that were being ridden illegally.

 

 

“Additionally, we’ve assisted tactical support officers with public order operations, and also led on test purchases along with the force’s cadets for alcohol and knife purchases, where we visited several businesses within the local area.” 

Being a special constable isn’t easy, and those within the special constabulary can be faced with challenging and confrontational situations that many people will never come across in their lifetime. 

Josh said: “I’ve attended collisions where the vehicles have been upside down and where people have been trapped inside the vehicle, these are the incidents that have stood out for me.  

“When I first started working within the special constabulary during Covid, I attended a property for a vulnerable man who had fallen in the bathroom. He really needed our help - luckily we got there quickly and as a team, we provided welfare support and safeguarded the man whilst he awaited medical attention. Once the ambulance service arrived, we then supported and assisted them with safely getting the man out of the property. It could have been a lot worse if we hadn’t have got there when we did.

 

 

“I’ve also worked OP Responder shifts with the ambulance service, where along with other special constables, I’ve attended incidents in Barnsley across the festive period during the Mad Friday weekend and New Years’ Eve, which is always a busy time! This involved assisting the ambulance service with helping people who had fallen and injured themselves whilst on a night out, reported incidents of spiking, someone who had been attacked with a knife and a concern for safety incident. With these incidents, my role was to provide support to victims, helping to preserve the scene and gathering evidence and conducting enquiries. 

“I’ve also attended several special constabulary-led events such as the Penistone Show, as well as going out in the town centre in the Early Intervention Public Order Vans, where we carry out various proactive patrols and provide a high visibility policing presence to ensure the night runs smoothly and that everyone is able to have a safe and enjoyable time.” 

 

 

On what he enjoys the most about being a special constable, Josh said: “I enjoy the different opportunities it brings and attending different incidents, as the situations are all different so it’s a really varied role. Knowing I’ve helped people, protected them from harm and supported them through some of their most traumatic experiences is also another reason why I enjoy being a special constable. I’ve also met some amazing people along the way who I will have lifetime friendships with.” 

Last year, Josh also won ‘Special Constable of the Year’ at the Barnsley district awards held at Barnsley Town Hall. 

Josh was recognised for his commitment to carrying out his special constable duties, after completing in excess of 3,500 hours during his time in the special constabulary within Barnsley. 

Josh said: “I really didn’t expect to win the award – I don’t do the job for the acknowledgement or the appreciation, it’s just something I love to do. “

 

 

“Every job I go to is completely different. If you want to experience a part of life that brings challenges but is highly rewarding, I would definitely encourage people to apply to join the special constabulary. It’s such an exciting role and you gain skills which can help in day-to-day life and within a professional capacity. You also make memories and friends that will stay with you forever.” 

We’re currently recruiting for special constables. If you’re interested in volunteering with us as a special constable, you can find out more about the role and apply through our website here.