Special Constables are sworn in to the Force

Dyfed Powys Police welcome 24 new Special Constables to the Force as the latest group of volunteers complete their training and take their oath to the Constabulary.

The Force is changing the way they recruit and train volunteers and over the next two years they are committed to recruit reach of total of 200 active Special Constables throughout Dyfed Powys.

To make it easier to take part and join, the Force is developing a new more flexible training program to make training more accessible to people wishing to join as a Special Constable. The training will include a series of formal learning days at a police stations as well as online training. The recruitment will also change and it will be more focused, it will centre on particular communities where we need more Special Constables and people will know where they will be based as soon as they join.

Chief Constable Simon Prince said, “I want to recruit more volunteers to join the Force as Special Constables. Traditionally joining as a Special was a stepping stone to becoming a regular officer, I want to change that mind set and I want to recruit people who want to be a volunteer and share their skills and experience with us. The Special Constabulary provide a valuable resource to policing in Dyfed Powys, they are part of our police family and take part in operations, day to day patrol.”

Special Constables take part in front-line police work spending most of their time on patrol in communities, gathering information in crime hotspots or taking part in crime-prevention initiatives. This could mean anything from keeping town centres safe at night through to conducting house-to-house enquiries or helping prevent vulnerable members of the community from becoming victims of crime.

Chief Officer for the Special Constabulary in Dyfed Powys Gary Hicks said, “Dyfed-Powys Police currently have 74 active special officers, including Constables, Sergeants and Inspectors.

“We want to reach a total of 200 active Special Constables in Dyfed Powys over the next two years, supporting officers and staff in our communities.”

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon said: “I welcome this celebration of Special Constables across Dyfed-Powys. The force’s volunteer officers offer extra visibility for policing, are vital links between regular officers and the community and can achieve a great sense of fulfilment. I urge all those interested in such a rewarding role to find out more.”

For more information on becoming a Special Constable with Dyfed Powys Police visit

www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/en/join-the-police/special-constables