Auxiliary Police

Special Constables

The Special Constable plays an important role in providing the level of visible policing the public expect and demand. They provide assistance to regular police officers and exercise the same powers as fully attested officers on duty.

The Special Constabulary witnessed a 40% decline in numbers over the last decade and whilst there has been a recent rise in numbers and 4,000 applications pending it is imperative that recruitment remains a priority issue.

 

Police Federation of England and Wales:

 

• Fully acknowledge members of the regular service are unable, in isolation, to provide the publicly required level of community policing

 

• Supports the campaign to raise the numbers of Special Constables. It is through this support that regular service officers are able to direct their attention to all policing matters.

 

• Are still in the process of trying to negotiate membership for Special Constables which we believe will provide them with the same rights and support that regular force members receive. We are also keen that specials receive comprehensive training and we have always supported the payment of special constables.

 

Neighbourhood wardens

 

Neighbourhood wardens are local people, employed to work address the issues that affect the quality of life of their fellow citizens. Their uniformed presence provides both reassurance and a recognisable point of contact, promoting and assisting community safety, peace of mind, environmental improvement and housing management.

Neighbourhood wardens are fast becoming an established part of many local authority areas and are backed by millions of pounds worth of government funding to provide a full-time uniformed presence on the streets and in public places.

 

The Police Federation of England and Wales:

 

• Believes that neighbourhood and street wardens can make a valuable contribution to society, but only where their roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. In partnership, they have a valuable part to play in a ‘super-caretaker’ role: They engage with the community, dealing with vandalism, graffiti, abandoned cars and environmental issues which affect people’s quality of life.

 

• But wardens are not professional police officers and should not be asked to perform functions which are beyond their capabilities and training or which might put them in danger.

 

• The Police Federation believes wardens do not need police powers to undertake their role. Potentially hostile situations should only ever be dealt with by fully trained and accountable police officers.

 

Private Security

 

Jan Berry, Chairman, Police Federation of England and Wales, “Policing for people, not profit”

Policing is most successful when it enjoys public confidence and support. The close affinity between the British police and the public has grown over many generations to form a relationship admired the world over.

 

The Police Federation of England and Wales:

 

• Think that the government’s experimental plans to employ ‘police approved’ private security staff to patrol public areas are neither the answer to increasing visibility nor a way to improve public reassurance. We remain firmly opposed to this proposal because it would blur the crucial distinction between the police as the statutory law enforcers and the private security industry.

 

• Believe this type of policing mounts to dilution of standards both of the calibre of the patrolling officer –poorly trained, unqualified and inexperienced –and the service delivered.

 

• Patrolling is a policing function which must always be publicly accountable. Private security staff would be responsible to their employers –private companies accountable only to their shareholders. Only publicly accountable, professional and highly trained police officers should undertake patrolling the streets.

 

The government’s proposals raise far too many unanswered questions:

 

• Who would ensure that private security staff had sufficient and suitable training?

 

• Who would monitor the performance of private patrols?

 

• How would public complaints against private security staff be addressed?

 

• How would private security companies be held to public account?

 

• Will private security staff be given the power of the constable?

 

• Would the police have supervisory control and direction over private patrols, and if not, who would?

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