Special Constables across Wrexham and Flintshire recently took part in a Home Office backed National Specials weekend to concentrate their work on a particluar area of policing.
This year the focus was anti social behaviour where the force’s Eastern Divsions specials performed their duties along side regular officer in high profile operations across the area.
Among them were married couple Dean and Maria Hewitt and their son Keifer.
Here Dean explains something about the history of this valuable resource and the vital work they carry out.
“Did you know that the Special Constabulary was formed as long ago as 1673? In that year Charles II passed an Act which laid down that any citizen may be summonsed and sworn in as an officer to deal with threats of great disorder.
“These Special Constables were encouraged to take responsibility to see that law and order was maintained. They didn’t have uniforms, but performed their duties in their smartest clothes and wore an armband.
“The first paid police force started in 1829 in London and eventually spread throughout the rest of the country. However, these paid constables were few in number and could not cope with any large-scale disturbances. Two years later, the Special Constables Act was brought in where “two justices of the peace could appoint as many special constables as they liked to combat any tumult, riot and felony.”
“These Special Constables, as today, were unpaid. Equipped with modern policing requirements today’s specials have the same powers as our regular police force, the only difference is that they are volunteers and give up their spare time to help in local communities.
“I have been in the Special Constabulary of North Wales Police for 18 years. My rank is Divisional Officer (Special Constabulary Chief Inspector) and I am responsible for 92 Special Constables in Eastern Division covering Wrexham, Gresford, Rhos, Flint, Deeside and Mold.
“During my service, I have continued to police our communities of Bronington, Whitewell, Hanmer and adjacent areas along with the policing team from Overton; PC Steve Evans, PCSO Jemma White and PCSO Bethan Large.
“My wife Maria has also been a Special Constable for 18 years, with the rank of Section Officer, (Special Constabulary Sergeant) and has policed our communities with me. She also teaches cycling proficiency to school children around Wrexham County Borough.
“My son Keifer has now joined and is a great asset to our local policing team while my daughter Nikki is training to be a paramedic with the North West Ambulance Service. When Nikki is at home she is a volunteer First Responder with West Midlands Ambulance Service which also covers our area.
“Over 18 years, Maria and I have dealt with more than 300 road traffic collisions, some very serious, and scores of crimes and suspicious circumstances, many of which have resulted in arrests.
“On numerous occasions these call outs were made by local residents and vigilant members of the community. I believe that without the great relationship between us and the communitymany of these incidents would not have received such a prompt response and resulted in such good outcomes.
“If you are concerned about anything that might require the police, please contact us day or night on the following 999 for emergencies or 101 for non emergencies.”
Being a Special Constable is a great way to give something back to your community, develop new skills or learn what being a police officer is really like. You will work alongside regular officers and will be expected to commit at least four hours service a week. You will also be given training and a uniform and have all the powers and authority of regular officers.
North Wales Police are actively recruiting Special Constables, so, if you are interested in helping to make a difference within your community we would encourage you to contact us.
If you are interested in becoming a Special Constable visit the North Wales Police website, www.north-wales.police and follow the link to the Recruitment Section.
Alternatively send an email to [email protected] or call the Recruitment helpline on 01492 804699.
