Often people are under the impression that Specials and Regulars are apart from each other and that they dont get on. These people are usually dinosaurs, or just dont have a clue what we do.
Reading on policespecials.com, it is shocking how badly some forces treat their specials, and how some of the regular officers treat their special collegues too! I wont go into what individuals on ps.com have had experiences with as I dont have their permission to reproduce what they have said here (mainly due to the fact I havnt asked anyone!)
It is shocking though how some are treated. I find myself very very lucky in my force that the only person I have any problems with is one sergeant, and even then its just him being awkward, nothing more!
On the particular sector I work on, they are a very hard working team of regulars. The Specials Sergeant is also very hardworking and only has specials who do the work on his team/sector, and is very good at getting rid of the "deadwood", the regular inspector supports us 110% and does loads to help us, the regular sergeants are fantastic too and we always have a good laugh too!
I was out the other day with one of the regulars who I get on well with when we got into a discussion.
Him: So how did you get interested in the specials then?
Me: I dont know really, just ages ago I was talking to a regular officer who suggested it, so I looked into it and thought, what the hell, I will apply
Him: fantastic! So whats it you do during the day again?
Me: *says what I do*
Him: excellent, not many people who *do what I do* do this, its really good
Was an interesting conversation, and he really appreciates what we do and the effort we all put in. Now, where are all these "specials are useless waste of space" comments which I occasionally hear about? Others in my force tell the same story I do. Is it something to do with the fact that by looking at a special in my force you cant tell that we are specials (as in we dont have any SC & crown or anything) or is it due to respect or what?
For those who have not read Semper Fi's blog, have a read of http://the-semper-fi.blogspot.com/2006/03/they-do-it-for-free_15.html its his view of specials, which is great also.
On a different note, it really bugs me that people seem to view the "Special Constabulary" as a seperate thing to the bog standard police force. I myself cant see it, I dont like to think im part of a "special constabulary" but I am part of "*forcename* constabulary" and do my part to assist my regular collegues whether it be double crewing with one, or taking out a car and doing some jobs for them - intergration I think is the word! I can honestly not believe how backwards some forces are when it comes to using their specials and wonder do they realise how much of a valuable resource specials are!?
To tie things up, I am very happy to work in the force I do and have the opportunity to work with a great bunch of officers from Inspectors down to PC! Well done you all and thanks for your support!
8 comments:
I've had the opportunity to work with a number of specials over the past two years. The reasosn I joined this job was because a close friend of mine is a SC.
One that regularly works with my shift has been doing it for over 10 years! Always happy to get crewed up with him because he gets stuck in. I think it just depends on the personality of the officer. There are one or two regulars that I'm not particulary keen on getting crewed up with.
That is not to say that I haven't seen a blatent misuse of an SC in a cell/scene watch - the attitude of a supervisor is also important even if it's just thanking someone for working a Fri/Sat night.
As a special do you get the chance to specialise in something the same way a regular does after 2 years? i.e. Dog Handling etc
Im waiting for my specials app to come through, last time I applied i failed the PIR due to not being all there on the day (was having a bad week and it effected my ability to concerntrate).
Anyhow cant wait to join, if i can pass again.
I've had a bit of both worlds. Specials were generally held in high regard in my old constabulary. In my new one they are not at all. The reason being we are unmanaged rabble. There are a load of uniform wearers and a load of people who have not got a clue.... See my latest post.
guv,
i occasionally see the misuse of sc's also but it seems to be rare now as most of the sergeants have realised its not fair to have someone watching some drunk for hours on end and get paid nothing when there are officers who get paid to do it! Its good to see that you are happy to get stuck into working with specials :) We all really appreciate regular officers with your feelings :)
anonymous,
most forces you cant specialise in things although some forces you can have traffic attachments and CID ones too, it would be something you get the chance to do when you have independant status and know how to do things :) Good luck with applying :)
Lennie,
just read your latest entry and totally see what you mean! Have left you a comment too :)
thanks all for your comments and reading my blog!
Excellent points mate.
To be honest though, about 90% of the people on PS.com are a load of whiging arse holes.
I have just posted about Specials actually... have a read :)
Tally Ho!
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