John Wright - Profile of a Special

Dad of two, John Wright certainly has his hands full juggling a full-time job as a deputy assistant manager for a restaurant chain, with raising his children full-time too. 

He is a lot of things to a lot of people. But this didn’t stop him from living out his dream of being a police officer, so three years ago he joined the Essex Police Special Constabulary.

"I wanted to join the force since I left school, but life took me in a different direction and I joined the catering industry instead. I signed up to the Special Constabulary as a way of carrying out my childhood dream," explains 24-year-old John.

John finds that the shift patterns he carries out at the restaurant in Laindon means he can fit in officer duties around his current job, and he chooses to work much longer than the few hours a week that is expected. "It is my choice to work as many hours as I can, as you can’t beat the satisfaction being a Special gives you.

"You can come in any time you want and work any day that suits you. Knowing you can make a difference to a community is a real motivator."

John explained that the flexibility of the hours means that quite a few students join the Special Constabulary, who fit it around their studying to give them a great life experience.

John works on a Billericay shift, and has now been promoted to a Special Sgt after two years of being a Special Constable. 

He enjoys working in a familiar area: "I used to live in Billericay and it’s great as I know the community and my way around it. I find it really rewarding to police an area that you already know."

The satisfaction of making a difference is the biggest pull for John: "Giving something back to the community is the greatest reward of all. I enjoy the satisfaction of an arrest and conviction, as it means I help to take criminals off the streets of Billericay."

For John, volunteering is just the beginning of a police career, but for others it can be enough to experience policing part time.

"I would like to climb the ranks and experience the different levels of police management, but to me it is a true test for becoming a regular policeman, which is a career I would like to pursue once my children are older. But for other people, it is a great addition to have a varied life experience and they will continue with their day-careers."

"The only advice I'd give to people if they are considering signing up is do it! It takes a special kind of person to volunteer their time, but if you have the motivation, the need to make a difference and a cool head, then you will love it."

The Basildon and Thurrock districts are looking for more people to become a Special Constable. If you think you have what it takes, please call 01245 452277.