Brian Whittle MSP wants to see more people being encouraged to become Police Special Constables as figures showed that their numbers across Ayrshire had been declining in recent years.
When Police Scotland was formed in 2013, there were 1387 Special Constables across the country, but that has now fallen to 511. Since March 2018, Special Constable numbers in Ayrshire have fallen from 42 to 29 this year. New recruits coming into the system have also been low with four new recruits in 2018 and just two each in 2019 and 2020.
Special Constables are volunteers who work alongside regular officers patrolling the streets, preventing crime, policing major public events and supporting their local communities. Each Special Constable contributes around 96 hours a year, which can equate to just a few hours each week and many have gone on to become full time Police Constables.
South Scotland MSP Brain is challenging the Scottish Government and Police Scotland to encourage more members of the public to consider becoming a special constable and support policing in their local community.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Special Constables are an important part of Scotland’s police service, and a valuable link to local communities. The decline in numbers in recent years is a concern and one that the Scottish Government and Police Scotland should work to address.
Every Special Constable is giving up their spare time to help their local community and often bring skills from their day jobs to the role. Like so many other volunteering roles in Scotland, the contribution of Special Constables doesn’t always get the profile or recognition it deserves.
I hope we can change that and encourage more people to consider becoming a Special Constable in the future.”
PHOTO - Brian Whittle MSP on a prior visit to the Police Scotland Mounted Unit
