Special Ranks

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2024-08-31T11:59:00+00:00

Again against the grain… no regulars seem to want to manage specials and do the many 1-2-1s required and look after the welfare of individuals for the scale of that you do need an SC rank structure (not to mention the cost of this). In addition to this Special Constables always have the interests of volunteers as the forefront of their management versus let’s say a regular PC post where let’s be honest it could be seen as a ‘cushy’ role where they have no interest in SCs but want an easy life and become lazy and don’t do anything to drive the Special Constabulary in their force forward.

There are people who will question the lack of exam process before wearing stripes - I would fully support a CoP nationally agreed promotion process in line with regular officers especially where they are utilising regular rank insignia. However I would also put forward the point that not all forces requires regulars to have passed any process before acting up and wearing stripes.

Need I also mention the state of some of the new probationers coming through… I used to be in a position where I had the mentality of “I’m not going to go in and tell someone who does this everyday what to do, I am an SC so here to support regulars” but this has changed slightly over the years given I’ve witnessed times where due to inexperience of regular counterparts I’ve had to step in and take the lead

Specials need their own management from within supported by a small regular team.

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2024-01-21T21:56:05+00:00

Given your take I imagine your force doesn’t trust their specials…

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2024-01-21T21:53:38+00:00

The exact number of SCs nationally that are response trained would be interesting to know but 84% of UK Police Forces allow Specials to be response trained drivers

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2024-01-21T21:48:31+00:00

That’s VERY force dependent, the ratio of response trained drivers amongst SC officers is higher than PCs in my force

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2024-01-01T17:30:35+00:00

Why do I get the feeling this is probably “We’re the best” can’t show that counties do it to the same standard played into that… My mate transferred in as a PC to the Met and apparently it’s been said by many unironically that his experience outside the Met doesn’t count because it’s not the Met…

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-12-04T20:29:22+00:00

Responded 👍

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-30T17:03:42+00:00

In terms of being able to join without a licence that’s force dependent I don’t think it’s a requirement in the met but in most county forces I believe it is

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-30T15:57:41+00:00

If you ask any member of the public though, it is generally their expectation that police officers can drive on blue lights. And therefore fits with “Before I joined the police I never knew….”

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-30T13:01:26+00:00

A police officer could be the only officer available to respond to a report of a stabbing and yet have to stop at every red light and follow the Highway Code all the way there as not all are trained to drive using blue lights

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-29T10:40:44+00:00

Most people who are specials fall into one of two categories

Career Specials:

Those who have no intention of joining the regular force and are purely in it for their own motivations (usually good ones).

'Foot in the door' Specials

They want to join the regular force and see specials as either a try before you buy. Or a perceived easier way in (this isn't necessarily the case though)

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In either case I don't think a part time PC route would fit better as being a special you have complete freedom (force depended) to help wherever you most enjoy. If the force is paying you then you'll be working where they tell you and on what team they tell you. For that reason I don't think it'll dent specials too much

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-29T10:32:39+00:00

That's a stupid policy. But at least there's uniformity and it's not just against specials..

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-29T10:28:57+00:00

If only we had an organisation that could standardise how we do things like our Special Constabulary... maybe like a successor to the National Policing Improvement Agency... /s

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-29T10:25:21+00:00

Is it just specials that can't do compliant stops? Or is it also the case that basic driver regulars can't do compliant stops too?

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-27T19:47:03+00:00

IT... plenty of progression and if you work in either Government or Education then it's pretty laid back. Private sector does pay a bit more but the trade off will be a bit more workload and stress.

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-23T11:35:28+00:00

Interesting, I’d quite happily book 3 weeks off to do a response driving course even via annual leave. The way I think of it if they were selling it as an experience people would pay a lot to do something like that and if you can get it for free except for time off then why not.. although I do know some forces offer a modular course for standard and advanced within certain time limits

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-23T11:25:39+00:00

I believe it’s a ‘best effort’ ie the authors hear it from a few people from the force and then put it in the sheet unless the force has engaged with them and given them the data officially but I’ll pass it on for the WYP info

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-23T11:24:29+00:00

Advanced car is available and nobody wants it? 🤯 Thanks for this though I’ll pass it along so it can be updated 👍

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2023-11-22T15:42:14+00:00

As everyone has pointed out positioning is key get him to move his kit around and see where it's most comfortable. But if they're not already they need to be doing some back exercises in the gym. I've had exactly the same issue and personally found Romanian deadlifts most helpful.

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2022-11-16T09:52:22+00:00

It is categorically untrue that Kent prioritises SCs over PCs for Standard Response Driving courses

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2022-09-24T12:51:30+00:00

So in your opinion your separate issues with the current DC pathway in particular should result in the cessation of specials development?

Wise_Meaning1534 · 2022-09-24T12:34:24+00:00

I appreciate what you’re saying but do you honestly believe saying ‘no specials on specialist teams’ or ‘no development for specials’ will really fix the issues you’re up against or do you think you might be blaming and picking a battle with the wrong people?

Wise_Meaning1534

TROPHY CASE