Joining the Special Constabulary - Mad, sad or touble?

[Extra 300 Driver]

Hi all, I hope we can keep this serious, but I doubt it.

I posted this here as I wanted another view, other than the plod.

I have just applied to joint the Specials, I have recently moved to a new town and after doing the house up I find that I have some spare time on my hands. The Mrs works long hours in the city and I was thinking what I could do. A friend of mine has been a special for about 8 years and loves it, so I went to an open evening and applied.

I thought as I am in a new town it would help me get to know the area, meet new people and get in to the community. I know there are some Police types out there that are right arrogant tts, but I do not plan on being like that at all. I want to see what goes on and hope I can do something about it. Hell, if I don't like it I will walk away altogether!

So what's the general thoughts of someone who joins the SC? Are they thought of as a bit sad? Someone who needs to get out a bit more?

[lottie]

You're not mad! I was a special in Newcastle Under Lyme for 4 years and it was great. It gives you a very different outlook on life out there. I made sure I wasn't in the area where I live - lust in case!! I never forget my first arrest either - it was a TWOC on Christmas Eve!!It was a brilliant feeling.Go for it.

[off_again]

Personally I think its quite brave and community spirited of you to consider this. I understand that you have some limited powers and are often expected to be as committed as a full-time career Policeman while donating your time. But other than that, its a brave thing to do.

Many years ago a friend on a night out in the Midlands decided to have "a pop" at a female Special. He was drunk and started to say that she had now powers etc. Anyway, spent the night in the cells and we made sure he apologised the next day.

[Skywalker]

Good on you. Give it a whirl. Not everyone is a saddo (like in all professions / jobs - there are the odd ones)

There are probably easier ways to get to know the area though - even if it was as a pizza delivery driver.

If you want to have a crack at seeing what the Old Bill is like, it's a good foot in the door.

[Extra 300 Driver]

off_again said:

I understand that you have some limited powers

Same powers as main line Plod, not limited in any way at all. Uniform i the same, so is the kit, including CS spray. There is no way you can tell if you have been arrested by a CS or normal Plod.

[Brown and Boris]

Extra 300 Driver said:

Hi all, I hope we can keep this serious, but I doubt it.

I posted this here as I wanted another view, other than the plod.

I have just applied to joint the Specials, I have recently moved to a new town and after doing the house up I find that I have some spare time on my hands. The Mrs works long hours in the city and I was thinking what I could do. A friend of mine has been a special for about 8 years and loves it, so I went to an open evening and applied.

I thought as I am in a new town it would help me get to know the area, meet new people and get in to the community. I know there are some Police types out there that are right arrogant tts, but I do not plan on being like that at all. I want to see what goes on and hope I can do something about it. Hell, if I don't like it I will walk away altogether!

So what's the general thoughts of someone who joins the SC? Are they thought of as a bit sad? Someone who needs to get out a bit more?

SC's fall into 3 camps from my experience.

(1) Those really wanting to be a proper PC and wanting a look at the job from the inside. They tend to work all God's hours they can for the experience/inside track, apply at the first available opportunity and then leave after 2-3 years if unsuccessful.

(2) Then there are those who want to 'help' and don't just want the night shifts and the excitemnet. They stay for much longer, do a bit of everything (including the arm waving at carnivals, standing at crime scenes, droping leaftlets etc). Some are excellent and progress to apply to the regular PC's and do it for the right reasons.

(3) The final group are the dangerous ones: knobs who want a uniform and/or bit of authority because they have a small penis and nobody likes them. They are quickly sidelined, get themselves into bother and get chucked out or persuaded to leave because nobody wants to work with them as they are a liability

You sound like number 2?

Don't believe what you may be told that SC's are just like real PCs. They may have all the same powers but doing it 4 hours a week with no real paperwork load and station politics is nothing like doing it full time with someone chasing you for paperwork and targets.

Edited by Brown and Boris on Tuesday 30th December 09:06

[Extra 300 Driver]

Brown and Boris said:

Extra 300 Driver said:

Hi all, I hope we can keep this serious, but I doubt it.

I posted this here as I wanted another view, other than the plod.

I have just applied to joint the Specials, I have recently moved to a new town and after doing the house up I find that I have some spare time on my hands. The Mrs works long hours in the city and I was thinking what I could do. A friend of mine has been a special for about 8 years and loves it, so I went to an open evening and applied.

I thought as I am in a new town it would help me get to know the area, meet new people and get in to the community. I know there are some Police types out there that are right arrogant tts, but I do not plan on being like that at all. I want to see what goes on and hope I can do something about it. Hell, if I don't like it I will walk away altogether!

So what's the general thoughts of someone who joins the SC? Are they thought of as a bit sad? Someone who needs to get out a bit more?

SC's fall into 3 camps from my experience.

(1) Those really wanting to be a proper PC and wanting a look at the job from the inside. They tend to work all God's hours they can for the experience/inside track, apply at the first available opportunity and then leave after 2-3 years if unsuccessful.

(2) Then there are those who want to 'help' and don't just want the night shifts and the excitemnet. They stay for much longer, do a bit of everything (including the arm waving at carnivals, standing at crime scenes, droping leaftlets etc). Some are excellent and progress to apply to the regular PC's and do it for the right reasons.

(3) The final group are the dangerous ones: knobs who want a uniform and/or bit of authority because they have a small penis and nobody likes them. They are quickly sidelined, get themselves into bother and get chucked out or persuaded to leave because nobody wants to work with them as they are a liabiliy

You sound like number 2?

Don't believe what you may be told that SC's are just like real PCs. They may have all the same powers but doing it 4 hours a week with no real paperwork load and station politics is nothing like doing it full time with someone chasing you for paperwork and targets.

Yes, but small parts of 3 are true

When I left the RAF I thought about joining the Police, but Aircraft engineering was my passion, now I cant afford to join, not in a million years, but I can afford to do it for free (go figure that out)

Edited by Extra 300 Driver on Tuesday 30th December 09:09

[Famous Graham]

A friend of mine's been an SC in Cambridge for just under a year now and absolutely loves it. She's applied for the regs, she's enjoying it so much.

[Fittster]

There are many others ways to help/join a community without being part of the state apparatus.

[satchbot]

What Brown and Boris said

[Extra 300 Driver]

Fittster said:

There are many others ways to help/join a community without being part of the state apparatus.

I have not found any that appeal to me, unfortunately.

Edited by Extra 300 Driver on Tuesday 30th December 09:23

[Brown and Boris]

Fittster said:

There are many others ways to help/join a community without being part of the state apparatus.

But few which can have such a direct and meaningful impact if done properly?

Without the SC the police would struggle to cope at peak times, and the scumbags of this world would rule the streets even more than they do. If that 'is being part of the state apparatus' lets have more IMHO.

[Skywalker]

You may also want to post this in S,P & L.

[Extra 300 Driver]

Skywalker said:

You may also want to post this in S,P & L.

That tends to reach plod, I am really interested in the gerneral feeling.

[B16JUS]

used to know a guy who done a few hours a week just to save his costs getting to work on the train/bus as i belive the police bage entitles you to free trips.

he ended up enjoying it and is not a full on met

do you still get free train / bus trips by showing your badge ?

J

[tw_uk]

Go for it, think its a fantastic thing to do.

I think joining the SC is something to admire, people actually putting themselves out to try and make a little difference - it would be nice if there were more like-minded people wanting to do there bit instead of just knocking everything, "place has gone to pot", "kids running riot", "knife crime" ... whatever else they put in the papers.

[jkennyd]

I believe a good copper is worth his weight in gold, and a bad one his weight in ste. The problem with ste is it tends to be remebered more. I remember a couple of specials around my area who were complete s. They were bullied at school (not by me) and it seemed they enjoyed the power they now had.
I also worked with a couple of specials who were really nice and down to earth folk. I dont know you but you come across as an okay sort. Give it a bash and you might find you're a natural.

[trooperiziz]

off_again said:

Many years ago a friend on a night out in the Midlands decided to have "a pop" at a female Special. He was drunk and started to say that she had now powers etc. Anyway, spent the night in the cells and we made sure he apologised the next day.

Arrested for taking the piss, good to know those powers are being put to good use

[boobles]

I applied a few years back & got through the initial interview that they give you (not sure how it works now) & continued to proceed until i was pulled over one night for a routine check & the copper was a complete dick head & from that very moment i pulled the plug on it. I really thought that i could make a difference but realized very quickly that some of them were complete idiots & didnt want to be part of that. I have since considered being a PCSO as i think this could appeal to me more & working within my own community would suit me better.

[tw_uk]

boobles said:

I applied a few years back & got through the initial interview that they give you (not sure how it works now) & continued to proceed until i was pulled over one night for a routine check & the copper was a complete dick head & from that very moment i pulled the plug on it. I really thought that i could make a difference but realized very quickly that some of them were complete idiots & didnt want to be part of that. I have since considered being a PCSO as i think this could appeal to me more & working within my own community would suit me better.

Your very right, SOME can be dheads... so too can some Doctors, Nurses, Bin men, Council Officers, Driving Instructors.....

The dhead 'condition' is present in every line of work and vocation and shouldnt tar all with the same brush.