Half a century has passed since special constable volunteers were given full empowerment in Scotland.
The Tayside division of Police Scotland is keen to use the milestone to highlight the import work they do for communities across the country, and hope to recruit more officers in the process.
A special constable provides a link between communities and the police service, particularly in rural areas, and those with large ethnic populations.
They are provided with a police uniform and carry out many of the same tasks as a regular police officer, such as helping with security for events and responding to calls for assistance from the public.
The number of special constables in the country has fallen by almost 500 over two years, recent figures revealed however. In 2014 there were 1,300 and just 810 in in 2016.
Chief inspector of the Tayside division of Police Scotland, Mike Whitford, said: “The experience that some of the specials provide us with is invaluable. We have farmers, for instance, that have been specials for over 30 years and their work and links is almost set in stone in the communities they work in.
“The specialist knowledge, experience and skills of certain people is incredibly useful for us. Ultimately, we want to make sure the employment of specials is meaningful and enjoyable for them too.”
In total, there are 64 special constables in the Tayside Division of Police Scotland, with 21 in Dundee, 27 in Perth and Kinross and 16 in Angus.
For young people, signing up as a special constable can also be a route into the police force, the selection process for which is notoriously challenging.
Those who are younger may have not have enough life experience to become a police officer and these people are firstly encouraged to join the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) unit before signing up as a special.
Mr Whitford saidd: “It’s a great opportunity to become a police officer. A lot of younger specials do become full police officers because of the experience they have gained.
“It’s also a good way to test whether it is something they would like to pursue and whether they would be suited to a career in the police.
“Ultimately, you can guarantee if you are sat in an interview and you talk about the experience that you have gained as a police special, it will be invaluable.”
Specials decide how many hours they work and there is no minimum — although regular contributions are essential in order to maintain sharpness.
The force is hosting a recruitment day at the Asda store in Kirkton, Dundee on October 1 at 10am and Tesco at the Kingsway in Dundee at noon the same day.
