Specials break records for Essex

Specials, the men and women in Essex who work as volunteer police officers, have put in more hours than ever in 2010.

Latest official figures show that the trained officers, who have the same powers as the regular paid force, worked a record 192,739 duty hours or 31,792 shifts.

Derek Hopkins, Temporary Chief Officer of Essex Police Special Constabulary, said: "It is truly amazing that, with all the pressure on people in their daily work places and with home and family commitments, the already high levels of performance have been exceeded in 2010.

"The continued enthusiasm and dedication from all the volunteers is exceptional and I have no doubt that they will rise to the unprecedented challenges facing the Essex Police Special Constabulary through 2011 and in to the Olympics year of 2012." 

There are currently 652 Special Constables working in Essex, who work an average of about 25 hours per month, well ahead of the national requirement to do 16 hours volunteer work per month.

Derek Hopkins has thanked all members of the Special Constabulary for their efforts in 2010, and looks forward to even greater success for this vital part of the local police service in 2011.