Employers encouraged to support Specials

Police chiefs are writing to businesses in Hertfordshire today, International Volunteers Day, to encourage them to join a scheme that supports Special Constables in the county.

Under the Employer Supported Policing scheme, businesses work with Hertfordshire Constabulary to offer their employees flexibility to volunteer as Special Constables. In turn the business receives a highly trained and skilled member of staff who still carries out their usual "day job" but with the added benefits of police training and experience.

As volunteer police officers, Specials have all the same powers as regular officers - including the power to arrest. They develop a huge variety of transferable skills, such as resilience, customer focus and communication, and these skills are applied back in their day job.

Supporters of the ESP scheme in Hertfordshire include Tesco, Which?, McMullen Brewery and Sons and district and borough Councils.

In the open letter sent to the Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Hertfordshire Growth Hub, Chief Constable Charlie Hall and Mr Lloyd call on businesses to register on the scheme and work proactively together to help the local community.

David Lloyd, Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for businesses to give back to their communities, while rewarding their staff for volunteering.

“There are many transferable skills which will be valuable to policing, but also workers will gain confidence and attributes which can be used in their salaried jobs.

“I hope you will encourage your employees to become a Special and be part of the tremendous service they provide.”

Chief Constable Charlie Hall said: “Many small and large businesses across Hertfordshire are already benefitting from ESP and we’d like to invite even more to register. The scheme is a fantastic way for businesses to show their support to policing and the local community. Our Special Constables play a vital role in preventing, reducing and tackling crime. By supporting them, you’ll be helping to make the community safer.

“It’s a very flexible scheme. For example, whilst some businesses offer the employee/Special Constable unpaid leave, others offer paid leave. Each business can choose the level of involvement to suit their individual circumstances and we’ll work with you to make sure you’re happy.

“If you’re a business owner, I strongly encourage you to register today. There is no formal contract and it’s quick and easy to do.”

More information about the ESP can be found on the Special Constabulary recruitment website or you can email our friendly recruitment team.