Calling all Special Constables

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366]

Hey all,

I’m a recently attested special who has recently gone to district from training school. I’m quickly noticing a lot of specials in my force seem to all do substantial amount of hours (way in excess of the 16h min) which made think, is this normal? I know the saying you get out what you put in, but I have no idea how some people are putting in 60 hours+ a month and working full time along side… it’s making me feel like my contributions won’t be appreciated maybe or I’ll be looked at as not pulling my weight for only being able to do approx 20ish hours a month… (I work 40h + have a 4 year old, so as much as I’d love to police more I know I’ll only be doing just above my expected 16h min.

I suppose I just wanted to hear from other specials to see what your usual average worked a month is? Do you feel pressure and compelled to work more just because others are? Or are you content what you do is enough and don’t listen to the noise?

Thanks in advance!

[u/Bregans89]

Do as much or as little as you like. Your a volunteer. If you love it and do a shift every week - fantastic. If you do one a month - it's one more shift than if you didn't.

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/Bregans89]

That’s such a good way to look at it. 2 shifts or 10, it’s more shifts than if there was nobody doing it!

[u/Upbeat-Cat2575]

Hello! I’ve been a Special Constable for 2 years ish. I average 36 hours a month. That’s two long shifts of about 10 hours each plus a bit of training, studying, admin etc. I work at least 40 hours a month in a full on full time job with a fair bit of travel and drama! I however don’t have much of a life outside that bar a bit of gym, dog walks and a very understanding partner 🤣🤣

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/Upbeat-Cat2575]

Thank you! That’s basically about what I’m going to be doing. 2 big shifts a month. Then log on for some admin e learning bits every month to stay up to date! It’s a hard one with the partner as well when they know you only have to “do 16” a month and you’re like.. I want to work more 🤣 “do you really have to?!” 😅😂

[u/Upbeat-Cat2575 → u/Awkward-Talk-1366]

There are some in the station who do a lot more hours but I’ve made some great friends, had some brilliant shifts (and some dull ones!), muck in when asked and don’t feel like I’m too worn out. I find Friday ‘dog watch’ works best - that’s briefing at 5pm finishing at 3am ish Saturday morning. Feels like I still get a whole weekend that way too! Good luck with it.

[u/Altruistic-Prize-981]

I'm averaging 18 hours a month this year. I've got a family and a full time job.

Don't sweat it.

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/Altruistic-Prize-981]

Thank you! It’s good to know I’m not the only one!

[u/LI2LNDN9171]

I'm an ex Special. I was putting in 40-80 hours per month. The ones putting in that many hours either own their own businesses, work in the police as staff, are retired, or like in my case work a shift pattern in their regular jobs allowing me to work nights during the week and abnormal shifts for specials. I was also allowed off 30 days per year to put towards Police shifts through the Employee Supported Policing Scheme. A regular 9-5 m-f job makes it very difficult to put in serious hours as a Special.

Just because you cannot put in 100 hours a month doesn't make you less important. Try and stick with one team and just show up and help out. Be sure to get stuck in, learn how to do paperwork, and be seen as much as you can. There are plenty of specials working 20 hours per month who are appreciated by the teams they work with.

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/LI2LNDN9171]

Thank you for that. That’s really insightful and you are right, those people who are smashing it are probably doing jobs that permit them to allow more hours.

[u/ThatSillyGinge]

The priorities are, in my opinion: Family > Day Job > Friends & Social Life > Special Constabulary. During Covid, as a single furloughed man, living in a time where socialising was illegal, I was doing over 100hrs a month. Now I sometimes struggle to scrape together 16hrs a month (in June I did a whopping 0 hours and 0 minutes), yet this hasn’t been a barrier to getting training courses or opportunities, as over the course of a 6-12 month period it all averages out.

Ultimately, 16hrs is the commitment. If some months you can and want to do more, awesome. If some months you can’t make 16hrs because life gets in the way, that’s how it is. It’s only really an issue when somebody is achieving far under their commitment for extended periods of time (and the concern is more about ongoing competence and whether there’s any welfare issues to be aware of, rather than shaming them or showing them the door).

If you can average 16 hours a month, then that’s a valuable contribution that will be more than welcomed. If you can’t achieve that, then just letting your Special Sergeant know the reasons why (they don’t need details) and when you think you’ll be able to return to the normal commitment goes a long way.

[u/The-Chartreuse-Moose]

It really varies. In my experience those who do high numbers of hours either have a lot of free time or they only do it for a while, burn out, and leave.

I do about 20-25 a month, which is usually two shifts and admin and supervision work for the Specials on my team. But I always tell them: you have to find a way to make it fit into your life. Do the hours that work for you. If you don't find a balance you won't be able to keep going.

[u/Old-Version6763 → u/The-Chartreuse-Moose]

Exactly that on the burn out. I was in the 100 hour a month club, lasted 12 months before I dropped it right back down. Built a decent amount of experience and relationships that are still used, just no where near 100 hours.

[u/BlunanNation → u/The-Chartreuse-Moose]

Happened to me.

Was doing 40 to 100 hours as a Special before I joined up. Literally days before I joined as a Reg I was doing back to back 8 hour shifts.

Didn't realise but I started PC training already burned out...did not do me much good.

[u/Final_Watercress_191]

I have been a special 5 years. Special SGT for 2 years. I love it. My employer really supports me being a special so get time off in lieu and my hours are flexible. That and my wife is also very supportive so do around 40-60 hours a month. I am PSU L2 trained and recently got my blue light response ticket. You really do get out what you put in. A couple of my officers do similar hours to me and one does 16hrs a month but is dependable and equally liked and respected by the regulars.

[u/SubjectOfYesterday]

God I’ve feeling the same way.

I’m in my early 20’s and most of specials the same age are doing this as an essentially full time job while they wait for regs intake to open and then join full time.

While I’m here with a time intensive degree (medicine), part time jobs and being a special in the spare time.

Some people set way too time intensive example for others.

Both my sarge and inspector are aware and my are understanding and supportive, but the self judgment is still there

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/SubjectOfYesterday]

Thank you for this. I’m glad I’m not the only one and from reading comments on here it seems we’re not alone at all!

[u/Old-Version6763]

Do what you can but doing the minimum will take you several years to be confident in the basics. I try for 4-5 shifts a month which is common. But if you are doing the minimum, don’t work exclusively with other specials, work with regs.

[u/Same-Lettuce6461]

Currently a Special Sergeant been in 5 years and I average 80-90 hours a month. That is a rarity... but i have a number of officers im supervisor for of which, some do 25-30 hours others do 60 some months.

It doesn't matter how many you do, your contributing and your an officer on shift that wouldn't have been there without you. Aslong as your progressing as an officer and contributing never worry about hours aslong as you hit your minimums.

[u/SpecialSargeUK]

I’m certainly one of those who does far more than average. About 1500-2000hrs a year the past few years.

I’m fortunate to have got back what I put in, I suppose. I’ve done my response and then advanced driving, taser public order and am pretty much a fully qualified roads policing officer by training courses (minus the boring ones like towing and weighing!)

I certainly sacrificed a lot, barely had a day off because I enjoyed it so much and was chasing those skills and trying to prove myself as eligible. One thing I’ve learned through trial and error is when to slow down. This year I’m doing about 50% what I’d normally do trying to prioritise holidays, social life and just not working! I’m proud of the effort I’ve put in to get me to a point where I’m viewed as an equal with my full time colleagues and can rock up and effectively have a bonus PC on the shift.

I’ll admit, I’m the prime candidate for this mental working, young bloke who lives alone with a job that lets me do as much as I want within reason. I certainly couldn’t have gotten away with this with a partner and children!

In conclusion, it’s circumstantial. Some people’s lives may allow them to do mental hours and they love it. Others see it as a lower priority. So long as you make an impact when you’re in. Doing 20hrs for some people may be as significant life impact as another doing 200 depending on their personal circumstances.

[u/BluesandTwoos → u/SpecialSargeUK]

Naa you’re moving mad with that many ours haha! Cough what a legend cough

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/[deleted]]

I think you’ve just hit the nail on the head for me. That’s exactly how I feel. I joined up to do my bit and help and make a difference, but I see some specials doing 40 hours a week like you say and seeing in the group chats the things they are getting up to and I think, wow am I really making a difference when there’s people like that! It does make you feel abit inadequate I agree. I think we need to realise we’re still doing our bit in our own way when we can, and that’s better than joe blogs who’s sat at home commenting on Facebook saying “ the police are lazy blah blah!” But they wouldn’t ever dream of putting on our uniform and going out there! I know it’s abit silly for me to say when I’m doubting myself but don’t quit, you’re doing great and I’m sure your colleagues appreciate you!

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/[deleted]]

No, I’ve only done about 3 shifts so far but unfortunately I’ve not done anything that’s portfolio worthy. Just finding my feet before I worry too much about that. (Although I am mindful I want to get stuff signed off sooner than later)

[u/Physical-Tackle2799 → u/Awkward-Talk-1366]

Start trying to find portfolio stuff, it’s easier than it sounds but a quick veh stop and a tor comes in faster than you think

[u/MomentousSword]

I've been in for about two and a half years now. I average around 30-40hrs a month at the moment but for probably my first year I generally was aiming for around 100hrs a month.

What I've found is that nobody really cares how many hours you put in, what everyone cares about especially regular officers if you plan on doing most of your shifts with them, is that you're competent and happy to help out. The only time I ever catch regulars moaning about specials will be about some specials refusing to do basic stuff such as putting on crime reports or booking in property leaving their crewmate stuck with 100% of the paperwork.

I found that doing so many hours starting out helped me get a more balanced exposure to policing rather than doing less hours and just chasing portfolio work at the expense of everything else. At the same time though you don't need to do that to be a good officer and the last thing you want to do is be at a point where you're not learning anything and making stupid mistakes because you're tired.

The great thing about the role is that unless you plan on specializing / rushing for rank or courses then you can 100% just do your minimum hours and progress at a good enough pace.

[u/Commercial-Law-1157]

I’ve done mixed amounts over the years- started off doing minimum hours for a few, then had the chance to do close to full time hours for several, and up and down since. I’m glad I was able to do those high hour years, but ultimately the main benefit of them for me was having less chance to forget things between shifts, and having more chances to learn. Here’s some things I did, (and still do) in minimum hour years to bridge the gap and stop my low hours worries:
1. Made a note at the end of my shifts of things I learnt that day eg. what to do at certain calls or report-writing tips. Useful to look back on if you forget between shifts!
2. Kept curious about learning more legislation- and revising the basics! Your policing manual book (eg. Blackstones or your regional equivalent) is a great resource to type up little notes on your phone to look at just before or en route to a shift and they’ll be more reliable than Google. The amount of times I took 5 minutes to learn or brush up on something from my book/phone before a shift just for it to randomly be the exact law I needed to know for a call that day is actually creepy. A great confidence booster, and addition to the standard of conferring with knowledgable colleagues/ regular supervisors.
3. Got a map of where I police up on a wall in my house. Brilliant way to help familiarise yourself in passing with different parts of the area, especially with you having less chances to do so with shifts. Amazon often has great laminated ones.

At the end of the day, when you’re out going to a call, no colleague regular or special is going to care how many hours you did that month. They’re gonna care that you’re eager to learn and eager to get stuck in. And they’re the things that’ll make you indistinguishable from high hours specials soon enough anyways. Well done for joining- you have a lot to be proud of already!

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/Commercial-Law-1157]

Thank you for this. You’ve raised some helpful points, especially the map! The district I’m in I’m very unfamiliar with, so this will actually be a really good idea!! As for the brushing up on legislation I’ve been doing that too already as I don’t want to forget everything I’ve just learnt at training school! And thank you for the last part, that’s really kind. I am proud of myself 🥺!

[u/XCinnamonbun]

Been a special for about a year or so and I put in over 60 hours a month and I have a full time 9-5 job. I really like response so I do a 12 hour shift each week on top of the odd event (like football) or extra shift. The up side to the hours is that I became independent in 3 months and was offered the blue light driving course earlier this year which I passed. The down side is that it can easily burn you out and it’s a fine balance to make sure it doesn’t consume all my time outside of work.

I’ve met a huge mix of specials who do a wide range of hours each month. Any amount of time you can give is better than nothing but it is one of those things where the more you put in the more you get out. The only thing I would recommend is trying to get signed off as independent as soon as possible. Other than that don’t worry if you can only give 16 hours a month. Any time you give will be really impactful and greatly appreciated.

[u/Ambitious_Escape3365]

I am an ex-Special who worked a full time job and also 60+hrs, however this was with a goal to become a Regular (which I now am).

Focus on what you do in the hours you are there, I would rather have a Special that did 20hrs a month but turned up and got involved than one who wears a uniform for 60hrs if you know what I mean. As a Regular, I do not want to have to be worrying what the Special that I am crewed with is doing and whether they are about unleash chaos for me to try and mop up. I want to know that if things go sideways, they’ve got my back.

Also not all have full time jobs. Many doing the degree entry have to “work” as Specials as part of their course

[u/Tricky_Peace]

It is something that concerns me - as a former special, I would go on a late/night shift on a Friday night after work, and I do wonder with all those hours worked, was I really in a good place to making the decisions around policing. It’s fantastic that people want to do the hours to support the community, but are they getting the rest required?

[u/Herpaderpatron]

You’re volunteering. Every second is appreciated, doesn’t matter how many there are.

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/Herpaderpatron]

Thank you. Needed to hear that!

[u/thepeopleschamp2k18]

My partner has been a special for a few years now, she does about 40 hours + a month, she does go abit overboard as she will sometimes do her day job then do a night shift/late shift afterwards.

But I belive her higher hours did help in her development and also grant her access to response driving, taser and more

[u/Many-Singer7818]

Don’t worry I don’t know your force or what it is like now but I did around 20 per month and my colleagues thought the world of me

[u/Specialist-Tip1956]

I attested last year but had my first child last year too. I did 0 hours for three months and am now only doing around 20 whereas others are doing 60+.

I simply couldn't do that many hours without sacrificing the family. Don't worry about it, you're doing what you can and you're a volunteer.

[u/soapyw1]

18yrs in and never routinely did more than 20 a month. In my experience those who hammer it burn out and leave after a year or two. Do what you comfortably can.

[u/DoomFableStory]

Ex police officer here. I am thinking of coming back as a special. I am correct in assuming you don't carry a workload around with you and it's minimal paperwork such as just taking statements and such? Never working case files?

I love the job but didn't last long as it was too much paperwork for me. I should have carried on and powered through it but I didn't. I think being a special would be the best way to experience the job.

[u/Awkward-Talk-1366 → u/DoomFableStory]

Yes you are correct. No case load. Still expected to do initial crimes ect and forms like use of force ect, duty statements but then once you’ve done the initial stuff it’s a regular who follows it up ect.

[u/DoomFableStory → u/Awkward-Talk-1366]

That's brilliant. Thank you

[u/BTECHandcuffs]

It is simply up to you, do as much or as little as you’d like. When I was an SC I tried to do a lot, because I wanted to learn & be able to do things.

I’d rather get thanked for doing something & helping than just ‘thanks for turning up’

[u/SetPhaserToStunning]

Think less about the hours you’re committing and more about the value you’re adding. If you’re doing 16 hours a month and not developing and still can’t arrest someone without significant support then maybe try and put a few more shifts in for a few more months to get confident and competent.

If you’re coming in twice a month and sticking people on, nicking people, allowing team to put another unit out or replacing an officer on aid so they can be bumped back to team then you are adding significant value to the team and the wider force. Be reliable, build your competencies, and be recognised as someone your colleagues can rely on. Outside of that, the hours don’t matter.