Special Constable - Definition and Overview

The Special Constabulary is the auxiliary wing of the British police. Every territorial police force and the British Transport Police has its own special constabulary.

Special Constables (SCs or Specials) are unpaid volunteers (although they may have a system of allowances, depending on the constabulary they belong to) who usually work for a few hours every week. They are sworn as Constables and have identical powers to their regular colleagues. Specials work alongside regular police officers, but have their own organisational structure and rank system, which varies from force to force. Every force's special constabulary is headed by a commandant, who is himself a Special Constable.

Specials wear identical uniforms to regular officers, with the addition of a small badge to indicate their status. The numbering system within the Special Constabulary is separate from that of regular officers and the collar number is prefixed by 'SC'. Formerly, male specials in English and Welsh forces did not wear helmets, but in many forces they now do. Rank is indicated by a system of horizontal bars on the epaulettes. Specials used to be completely unarmed, but now carry batons as do regular officers. They can also be licensed to drive police vehicles, something formerly not permitted.

As well as carrying out ordinary patrol duties, specials are often seen policing local events such as sports matches, carnivals, parades and fêtes.

See also

• Police
• British police
• UK police ranks
• Constable

External links

• Home Office Special Constabulary website (http://www.specialconstables.gov.uk)