NWP Special Constabulary Joins the Police Federation

Following a long, painstaking campaign, The Police Federation of England and Wales has welcomed Special Constables to it’s 139,000-strong membership as of 1^st July 2022.

As members of the Police Federation Special Constables will be entitled to greater legal protection and representation. Police Federation Secretary Mark Jones (pictured left) who has been integral to talks between the Federation and North Wales Police said “It is fantastic that Special Constables can now have the opportunity to join the Police Federation – it is long overdue! The legal responsibilities and the scrutiny police officers face is no different whether you are a regular officer or a Special Constable which is why it is vitally important that parity of cover is provided by the Federation. We are looking forward to representing and supporting our whole membership and Special Constables will be a significant part of that.”

The first Special officers to join from North Wales Police were Special Superintendent Carl Williamson (pictured right) and Special Chief Officer Mark Owen (pictured middle) who sent their applications off within minutes after receiving news of the campaign’s success. Special Chief Officer Mark Owen said “I really welcome this development, which has been a long time coming. It’s a major step forward that the Police Federation of England and Wales are now able to offer membership to Special Constables. Its such good news that SC Officers can now become members of the PFEW and be afforded the same level of representation as their paid colleagues. These days SC Officers are police officers first and then volunteers second, fulfil most of the same duties as paid officers and take the same risks. SC Officers therefore need and deserve the same level of representation”

Whilst membership to the Federation is optional, Special Constables are being encouraged to join as they would receive support and advice from fellow officers who are elected work reps and have received training on Police regulations to ensure proper representation, should they face an issue. The support provided ranges from information on rights, entitlements and legal representation, to access to a host of additional benefits.