HULL DAILY MAIL February 22, 2003:  Today the Mail can reveal that Humberside Police wants to become one of the first forces in the country to pay its Special Constables.  If the proposal goes ahead, it will be an innovative move to increase the number of Officers on the streets of Hull and the East Riding and one that should be welcomed.

The force's senior Officers often refer to their "quality of life" Policing style and place a great emphasis on high-visibility Policing.  That's why Humberside Police Chief Constable David Westwood made the bold decision to introduce Local Policing Teams.  He wanted more Officers walking the beat in a "back to basics" approach to reassure residents and deter lawbreakers.

And it is for the same reasons that Special Constables are so important.

Critics of the employment of Special Constables may argue it is Policing on the cheap, but "Specials" do almost everything regular Officers do and provide a valuable extra resource.  Their work is valued by the Police and public alike, and it is only right that they are rewarded financially for their efforts.  After all, the work of a Police Officer is one of the most demanding jobs there is.

In recent years, the number of Special Constables operating in the region and across the country has plummeted.  In many ways the Police are victims of their own success, with many Specials moving on to become regular Officers.

A new incentive is needed to help the recruitment drive.  Payments for pounding the beat may well be the impetus required for more people to come forward to provide this important public service.

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 PoliceSpecials.com
by Andrew Oldham
E-Mails:  andrew.oldham@ntlworld.com   policespecials@yahoogroups.com

Happy 2003!

Dear Colleagues:  I hope you had a good Christmas, and here's to a Happy and Safe New Year for all.  I thought you might like a quick update on what's happening at PoliceSpecials.com.

d  The forum is going from strength to strength!  We currently have over 400 registered members and in excess of 11,000 messages posted.  Please feel free to browse or join in the discussion on all sorts of topics related to the Specials, Police work, ghosts, tractors,and aircraft maintenance (don't miss that off-duty section!) at http://www.PoliceSpecials.com/forum .  While on the site, please visit the PoliceSpecials.com Shop.

d Updated photos in the Gallery of real life Specials doing their stuff on duty at http://www.PoliceSpecials.com/gallery/index.htm .  I am always looking for other pics, so don't hide your light under a bushel!  Please do send them to me, and I'll be happy to put them up on the site.

That's it for now; thanks for reading, and I hope to see you on the site very soon.

With best regards, Andy Oldham

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