Special constables are warranted officers retained within British constabularies. Wearing similar uniforms, carrying the same personal protective equipment and holding identical powers to enforce the criminal law, special constables are to all intents and purposes indistinguishable from their colleagues in the regular police service. However, very little is documented about the experiences and motivations of special constables, the roles they play in contemporary policing or the impact that they have on the police organisation. This book draws together academics and practitioners to provide a valuable insight into historical, international and contemporary themes pertinent to the historical development and contemporary operation of the special constabulary. The book critically considers the origins of the special constabulary and the political, social and economic factors which led to its evolution over time. It compares and contrasts the organisation, functions and status of the special constabulary with other auxiliary forces, notably from the United States. The book also contributes to theoretical understanding of contemporary policing, to debates about the roles and operation of the 'mixed economy' of provision, and informs policy and practice in the United Kingdom and beyond.

Special constables are warranted officers retained within British constabularies. Wearing similar uniforms, carrying the same personal protective equipment and holding identical powers to enforce the criminal law, special constables are to all intents and purposes indistinguishable from their colleagues in the regular police service. However, very little is documented about the experiences and motivations of special constables, the roles they play in contemporary policing or the impact that they have on the police organisation. This book draws together academics and practitioners to provide a valuable insight into historical, international and contemporary themes pertinent to the historical development and contemporary operation of the special constabulary. The book critically considers the origins of the special constabulary and the political, social and economic factors which led to its evolution over time. It compares and contrasts the organisation, functions and status of the special constabulary with other auxiliary forces, notably from the United States. The book also contributes to theoretical understanding of contemporary policing, to debates about the roles and operation of the 'mixed economy' of provision, and informs policy and practice in the United Kingdom and beyond.

It s something we all dread; the knock at the door from a Traffic Cop. We instantly fear the worst and for more than 3,000 families every year in Britain that fear sadly becomes a reality. The Police officer has come to deliver the news that their loved one has died in a road incident. But what happens after they have been told? Does the Police officer simply walk away? Is the family left to fend for itself? Thankfully not. A small group of specially trained Police Family Liaison Officers (FLO s) do what most of us could never do. They guide the bereaved family through the entire process, from delivering the trauma message in the first place, to helping them through the ordeal of identifying their loved one at the mortuary, right through to the inquest or court case in 12 months time and everything in between. PC Steve Woodward describes the journey the families embark upon as the biggest roller coaster ride of their lives with more highs and lows than you could ever possibly imagine.

This practical Handbook focuses upon policing areas central to the role of Specials. It offers an outline of the criminal justice system, a reference section on common offences and points to prove, and advice on performing essential police duties such as taking statements and giving evidence.

This review began on 1 October 2010 and the reviewer, Tom Winsor, was asked to ensure that police pay and conditions and the structures around them are the best they could be given the challenges currently facing the police service. Budget cuts will see forces being required to achieve more with less, but also need to be fair to officers and staff. The review is to report in two parts, covering short-term and long-term improvements. This is Part one and covers: the deployment of officers and staff (including shift allowances, overtime and assisting other police forces); post and performance related pay (including special priority payments, competence related threshold payments for constables and bonuses at all ranks) and how officers leave the police service. Mr Winsor says his recommendations will produce savings of £485m over three years. The recommendations if implemented will concentrate the highest pay on the front line and more demanding roles in the police service. He says police earn 10 to 15% more than other emergency workers and the armed forces and in some areas they are paid up to 60% more than average local earnings. It also recommends making savings of £60m a year in overtime and he also suggests suspending chief officer and superintendent bonuses. The independent review calls for an end to the £1,212 competence-related threshold payment, the Special Priority Payment of up to £5,000 and says no officers should move up the pay scale for two years. The government is planning to cut its funding for the police by 20% by 2014-15. The 43 forces in England and Wales currently employ about 244,000 people, comprising 143,000 police officers and 101,000 civilians.

Volunteer Police, Choosing to Serve provides an in-depth comparison between volunteer policing in the United States and in the United Kingdom, and explores the shared past and similar—yet sometimes divergent—evolution of special constables, auxiliaries, and reserves. It discusses the history of volunteer policing, contemporary authority, functions, and training. The book also examines part-time, auxiliary, and special constable policing roles around the globe. The text contains original research comparing British and American volunteer police, and concludes with a discussion of the future of volunteer policing in the UK and US contexts.

This book draws upon a range of theoretical and empirical research to explore contemporary debates about police leadership. Focusing upon leadership styles, ethics, integrity and professionalism, workforce diversity, legitimacy and accountability, it reviews the changing context and nature of leadership over time and explores the gains, losses, tensions and challenges that different leadership models bring to policing. Leadership is present at various levels within the police service and this collection reflects upon appropriate leadership qualities and requirements for different roles and at different ranks. The book also considers the difference between leadership and management in an attempt to capture fuller debates within police leadership. Part one surmises the contextual backdrop to current thinking and the primary challenges facing leadership in the police service. Part two highlights the changing face of leadership through an exploration of the call for greater diversity within the ranks of police leadership, and the final section examines police leadership beyond England and Wales. Through this, Police Leadership explores how the challenges facing police leadership in England and Wales share similarities with those in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Greece, North America, and Australia in the face of the pressures of political and economic uncertainty.

The Malayan Emergency lasted from 1948 to 1960. During these tumultuous years, following so soon after the Japanese surrender at the end of the Second World War, the whole country was once more turned upside down and the lives of the people changed. The war against the Communist Party of Malaya's determined efforts to overthrow the Malayan government involved the whole population in one form or another. Dr Comber analyses the pivotal role of the Malayan Police's Special Branch, the government's supreme intelligence agency, in defeating the communist uprising and safeguarding the security of the country. He shows for the first time how the Special Branch was organised and how it worked in providing the security forces with political and operational intelligence. His book represents a major contribution to our understanding of the Emergency and will be of great interest to all students of Malay(si)a's recent history as well as counter-guerrilla operations. It can profitably be mined, too, to see what lessons can be learned for counterinsurgency operations in other parts of the world.