Police and Crime Commissioner
Ann Barnes
Specials do truly remarkable things for our county. Did you
know they have been around even longer than the regular force?
They stand shoulder to shoulder with their regular police
officer colleagues, but give their free time, without payment, to help keep us
safe.
Last year, the Specials gave nearly 100,000 hours of voluntary
policing to Kent – a staggering amount. As a gesture of appreciation and to say
thank you, I found the funding to pay the police precept part of the council
tax for Specials who’ve served for over two years. It’s a big investment and speaks
volumes for how I think the people of Kent feel about these magnificent
volunteers, and I’m pleased to say they’ll be able to claim it from 1st April.
Last year I also gave almost £250,000 to the Special
Constabulary to help recruit and train more volunteers, and was one of the
first Police and Crime Commissioners to make such an investment. I hope this
shows that I really do recognise and value the unique contribution that Special
Constables make by devoting their time to helping others in the community.
The men and women who volunteer to help police our
communities usually have a day job, yet they find the time, for free, to help
out and to keep everyone safe. I take my hat off to them. The Specials are
ordinary people doing an extraordinary thing and that’s why I’ve invested
heavily in the scheme.
If you have ever been interested in policing and have some
time to spare, I’d urge you to apply to the Special Constabulary. I’d love to
see more ‘mature’ members of our communities joining up – it’s never too late –
I’m living proof.
Becoming a Special Constable really is one of the very best
ways to give something back to your community – so come on everyone!
Ann Barnes, KPCC
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