Specials ‘should not replace regulars’ - says HMIC. Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Tom Winsor has said specials should never be seen as a replacement for regulars and should work “hand-in-hand” with their full-time colleagues. Mr Winsor said many police and crime commissioners (PCCs) are looking to boost the number of volunteer officers. He added that a report from HMIC found that PCSOs and specials have come to “provide the foundation” of neighbourhood policing in some forces as more regulars move to response roles to plug gaps left by cuts. Specials are expected to rise from 15,500 in 2010 to 24,800 by 2010. “The Special Constabulary will never, and should never, be a replacement service but should work hand-in-hand with all officers and leaders,” Mr Winsor said in a statement. “We highlighted in our report (HMICs Value for Money, published in July) that the face of neighbourhood policing is changing. Many forces told us that PCSOs and special constables now provide the foundation of neighbourhood policing at an operational level. “Concern was expressed to us during the focus groups we held as part of the inspection that, as officers are being drawn away to respond to calls, there was an onus on the remaining colleagues to provide support at incidents for which they may not be trained.” To see the full story, go to Police Oracle: policeoracle/news/Local+and+Neighbourhood+Policing/2013/Oct/23/Winsor-Specials-should-not-replace-regulars_72835.html
Posted on: Wed, 23 Oct 2013 13:42:53 +0000
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