Special Constables step up to assist with pandemic

Volunteers who give up their time to act as Special Constables have pledged thousands of hours to support Police Scotland’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

A quarter of all of Scotland’s Special Constables, including many in Renfrewshire, immediately made contact to offer their support and increase their commitment, substantially in many cases, while more than 40 employers have granted staff leave in order to perform their Specials role.

Over the past three weeks, around 140 Specials across more than 885 shifts have volunteered more than 7,500 hours.

The Volunteer Coordination Unit was also contacted by a number of Specials offering to live away from home so that they can provide fulltime commitment to their role.

In addition, a number of Special Constables who have not volunteered in recent months have also sought urgent re- training so they can be deployed, while some who are already key workers in their full-time profession have still offered to work additional hours for Police Scotland.

Assistant Chief Constable John Hawkins said: “We have been humbled by the response of our Special Constables.

“Their commitment to their roles during this unprecedented time is staggering and I cannot thank them enough for their dedication to the service.

“Our thanks also go to the employers who have allowed their employees to dedicate their time to supporting Police Scotland in our efforts to help save lives and protect the NHS.”

Special Constables are warranted officers with all the powers of regular police officers who volunteer their services.

They are deployed in communities to support daily operations and provide resilience at critical times.

Police Scotland wrote to Special Constables and their employers in March, asking them to increase their volunteering hours wherever possible and asking employers to consider paid leave to allow staff to support local policing over the coming weeks.