Operational partnerships - Special Constables policy (O39)

1. Summary of changes

1.1 This policy has been fully reviewed in August 2022, no amendments to content have been made.

2. What this policy is about

2.1 This policy covers the recruitment, training, deployment and management of the Special Constabulary in Kent.

Compliance with this policy and any linked SOPs is mandatory.

3. Statement of policy

3.1.  The Special Constabulary are a force of trained volunteers who are fully warranted officers who provide a valuable link between the police and the local community. With the same powers as regular officers they work in their free time on a variety of police duties bringing a wide diversity of experience to policing.

3.2. The role of the special constable is to provide support and assistance to regular officers in areas of policing that the force directs.

3.3. Additionally, special constables may be called out to support the force where a significant number of resources are needed to deal with an incident or event.

3.4. Following completion of their initial training, special constables are expected to perform a minimum of 16 hours per month operational policing, in addition to monthly training.

4. Implications of the policy

4.1. Finance/staffing/training/other

4.1.1. Although special constables are volunteers, there are costs associated with the training, equipment and allowances that they receive. All Allowances that special constables are eligible for are detailed in the linked SOP O39c. 

4.1.2. There are also additional training requirements that create demands on force training such as driver training and officer safety training.

4.2. Risk assessment

4.2.1. This policy has been assessed as medium risk.

4.3. Equality Impact Assessment (EIA)

4.3.1. This policy has been assessed with regard to its relevance to race and diversity equality. As a result of this assessment the policy has been graded as having a high potential impact.

5. Consultation

• Special Constabulary Chief Officer
• Special Chief Inspectors
• Head of Resource Planning
• Human Resources
• Finance
• IT Security
• Health and Safety
• Equality and Diversity
• Legal
• Freedom of Information 

6. Monitoring and review

6.1. This policy will be monitored by the Citizens in Policing Board, chaired by ACC LP. It will be reviewed every two years or when new legislation or guidance amends current policy. The next scheduled review is August 2024.

7. Other source documents

None listed.

8. Security

8.1. Kent Police have measures in place to protect the security of your data in accordance with our Information Management policy.

9. Retention and disposal of records

9.1. Kent Police will hold data in accordance with our Records Review, Retention and Disposal policy.