The Special Constabulary is the part time volunteer section of the statutory police force and its officers are known as Special Constables or informally as Specials who give up their free time willingly and faithfully to provide a service for the public.

Their appointment dates back to the early years of the 19th century. In 1831, Parliament passed an act allowing the formation of special constables in times of unrest if the regular police force was deemed to be too small in a particular area. Specials were also granted full arresting powers like their regular counterparts at this time, as well as weapons and equipment to carry out their duty.

A further act in 1835 redefined the Special Constabulary as a volunteer organisation, and expanded its jurisdiction. The constabulary was redefined for the last time into the organisation which exists today during World War I, where they were instructed to safeguard water supplies from German infiltrators.

The national strength of the special constabulary during 2005 in England and Wales was 13,000 and in Lincolnshire the figure is 168. Special constables are not the same as Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who are employed by police forces to provide operational support to regular officers, but with no powers of arrest. Special constables usually work for a minimum of 16 hours per month (or 200 per year) although many do considerably more and they might receive some expenses and allowances from the police service but their work is otherwise voluntary and unpaid.

They have identical powers to their regular colleagues and work alongside them but have their own organisational structure and grading system, which varies from force to force.

In the Bourne area, the specials have a presence at many big events such as the Music on the Meadow at Stamford, the annual Burghley Horse Trials, Waddington Air Show and the Langtoft 10 km road race. A number of specials are also frequently out on patrol on Friday and Saturday nights assisting in public order duties at Stamford, Market Deeping and Bourne while each regular neighbourhood beat team has a special constable attached to it and many incidents in these areas have some form of SC involvement.

The SC is always seeking new recruits and consider applications from anyone of 18 years and above and from any background.

WRITTEN MAY 2007