Special Constables set to join the Police Federation from next year

SPECIAL Constables will be able to join the Police Federation from next year and get the same support, representation and rights as existing members.

It is expected that 8-10,000 volunteer Specials will be eligible to join by March 2022, as permitted by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, unless there is unexpected parliamentary intervention.

PFEW Special Constabulary Working Group Secretary Dave Bamber, who is speaking at the Special Constables’ National Gathering for the first time, said of the new rules: “This truly would be a historic moment, and one which we will be especially proud of.”

He said PFEW’s invite to the Specials’ Gathering represents “a huge step forward” and shows that PFEW is now recognised as a key stakeholder.

Dave said: “Specials won’t be treated any differently when they join PFEW. They will have parity with the existing membership, and exactly the same expert support, representation, and rights to vote and stand in elections. Nothing will be any different from any Special and an existing member.

“We are keen to offer as much support as we can – especially for Specials who might not earn a lot in their day jobs or are struggling financially.”

He continued: “There is so much work to be done on the behalf of Specials. Nobody has looked properly at their conditions of service, how they are treated in the workplace, their terms of reference, or their pensions, for many, many years.”

Dave said that PFEW’s Specials Working Group is looking to challenge these issues.

He added that he hoped Specials would be able to recoup some of their Federation subscription costs, but the amount they were recompensed would be dependent on Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Officers.