They are not used to save money, say force (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

They are not used to save money, say force

8:00pm Saturday 28th January 2012 in News

The Special Constabulary could step into the breach if the county was depleted of regular officers, according to police chiefs.

In order to test their capability special police officers took over the policing of Devizes, Marlborough and Pewsey on Friday, December 23.

Specials have the same powers as regular police officers, including making arrests, but are unpaid volunteers.

Ten special constables were involved and dealt with 14 incidents including three disorders, a criminal damage, an assault, two domestic incidents, and a theft. They made three arrests.

In addition, they carried out speed checks in Rowde and Oare and breathalyser checks in Devizes.

Regular police officers were available to be called in from other areas, but they were not needed.

Special constables regularly go on patrol alongside regular officers throughout the county. This particular exercise was overseen by Specials Inspector Guy Sanders.

Inspector Ron Peach, commander of Devizes, Marlbor-ough and Pewsey policing sector, said the Special Constabulary members had excelled themselves.

He said: “The Specials equipped themselves amazingly well, putting all of their training into practice to deal with a wide variety of work.”

Insp Peach denied that using special constables instead of regular officers was done to save money.

“This is not about replacing regulars with volunteers, even though we enjoy fantastic support from specials on a day-to- day basis, particularly at the most busy periods, Friday and Saturday nights.

“We have a busy year coming up, including supporting policing the Olympics.

“The aim of the exercise was to know that in the event of regular officer numbers being suddenly depleted through some unforeseen civil emergency, that we have the core policing ability.

“It demonstrated that there is a will among the public to assist in crime prevention and reduction and some members of the public have gone that step further to volunteer as Special Constables with all the commitment that is required.”