VOLUNTEER COPS CLOCK UP 11,000 HOURS OF PATROLS DURING LOCKDOWN
Mechanic Danny and call centre worker Scott among furloughed staff helping officers on patrol
VOLUNTEERS from Staffordshire Police’s Special Constabulary have given up over 11,000 hours of their own time to help keep the streets safer since lockdown began.
More than 200 volunteers from the Special Constabulary have been on duty for 11,062 hours since March 23.
Since then they have:
■ Made 25 arrests;
■ Assisted with 68 arrests;
■ Attended 28 road traffic collisions;
■ Transported 55 prisoners;
■ Recorded 25 crimes;
■ Seized 31 vehicles;
■ Stopped 51 vehicles;
■ Completed 56 stop and searches. Among those giving up their own time are a mechanic and a call centre worker. Both have been furloughed from their own jobs and are using their extra time to work on the beat. Mechanic Danny Gault, of Stafford, joined the Special Constabulary at the end of April virtually because of the Covid-19 restrictions.
The 22-year-old said: “I want to become a police officer so becoming a Special means you can get some training to go into it. There’s not a lot more you can be doing when you’re furloughed. I wanted to help out and make a difference so I wanted to volunteer in some way.
“It’s meant I’ve been building up experience and getting as many hours in as possible to help the force and police the streets.”
Scott Matthews, aged 31, of Market Drayton, joined in December 2019. He also sees the Specials as a stepping stone to becoming a full-time police officer.
Scott works in telesales in Trent Vale but was furloughed, so has upped his hours with the police from a day a week to two or three.
He said: “I’ve learnt more than ever over the last month that I’ve volunteered more – I’ve picked up so much more experience and knowledge. I’ve got spare time so I can give more shift hours and it gives me more opportunity.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about giving extra support.”
Tony Athersmith, Chief Officer of Specials, said the help of the volunteers officers has been ‘absolutely invaluable’.
He added: “The Specials have assisted in arrests, patrolled the streets, stopped and seized vehicles, carried out stop searches and attended road traffic collisions.
“It’s incredible to see how some have been using their furloughed time to give back to their communities – it’s a selfless act that hasn’t been taken for granted by anyone at Staffordshire Police.”
The Special Constabulary is made up of volunteers who, when on duty, wear a uniform and have full police powers.
■ For more information and to find out how to join, visit staffordshire. police.uk.