UNITED KINGDOM
The UK Home Office is calling on more Public Servants to volunteer as Special Constables with the country’s various police forces.
Workers who do will get up to 12 days paid special leave a year, the Home Office said.
Cabinet Office and HM Treasury are among 19 Departments which have agreed to this dedicated leave allowance for staff.
The announcement comes as new central guidance is issued to support PS employees who want to become Special Constables.
Supporting the volunteering initiative, Cabinet Secretary, Sir Mark Sedwill said PS staff who volunteered would serve the nation twice over and “we should all be proud of them”.
Permanent Secretary at the Home Office, Sir Philip Rutnam said Special Constables played a pivotal role in meeting some of the country’s most important priorities: tackling knife crime, safeguarding the vulnerable and keeping the public safe.
“Civil Servants who take this opportunity will gain professionally and get an insight into frontline policing, which will be valued across Government,” Sir Philip said.
Special Constables wear the same uniform as their regular colleagues, have the same powers and, if permitted by their force, drive the same vehicles.
They bring diverse and valuable skills from outside policing, complementing the work of officers while helping to build important relationships with communities.
Special Constables receive no payment for performing these duties.
They do, however, receive expenses and some forces may provide benefits, such as free local travel.
There are currently more than 10,000 Special Constables in the UK.
London, 20 September 2019
