Volunteer police are the ‘thinnest blue line’

AN under-pressure police force’s decision to hire “volunteer detectives” to help it investigate serious crimes is evidence of a recruitment “crisis”, the Police Federation has said.

Essex Police have been criticised for advertising two unpaid special constable roles to support detectives in the Serious Crime Directorate.

A job post on the force’s website asks: “Do you want to help investigate the most serious crimes in Essex including murders, attempted murders, stranger rapes and kidnappings?”

It goes on: “Working alongside detectives, you’ll receive training to help you bring justice to some of the most serious criminals in Essex.”

The creation of the new roles has been called “unacceptable” by critics, but Essex Police deny it represents “policing on the cheap”.

Labour councillor Dave Harris, of Colchester Borough Council, said he was “absolutely appalled” by the force’s move. “It’s the thinnest blue line I’ve seen in my life,” he said.

“The volunteers have good intentions but they are going to make mistakes. It’s just not right. It takes years to train these professionals.”

Another Labour councillor, Michael Lilley, said volunteers do “fantastic” work, but the latest move was “not an ideal solution”.

Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Nick Downing said: “This is not about policing on the cheap or lowering the status of detectives.”

He said the force continued to invest in training detectives and that special constables were a key part of the “policing family”.

Potential recruits need to be “driven, organised and self-motivated individuals who can volunteer for a minimum of 16 hours a month”.