A VOLUNTEER police inspector from Radnorshire has described the Special Constabulary as a “unique” experience that allows people to unleash their full potential.

Dyfed-Powys Police Special Inspector Giles George has given up his free time to patrol his community – both on foot and on horseback – for over 30 years, and has no plans to retire any time soon.

Special Constables are volunteer police officers with the same powers and uniform as regular officers. They go on foot and car patrol, can be sent to incidents ranging from antisocial behaviour and criminal damage, to public disorder and assaults, and have the power of arrest. The only difference is that the time they give to the force – a minimum of 16 hours a month – is voluntary.

SI Giles George started his Specials career at West Mercia Police in 1986. Ten years on, he moved to Dyfed-Powys Police, where he now volunteers in Radnorshire. He is now encouraging people to apply to join the Special Constabulary, with recruitment opening in Dyfed-Powys Police on Monday, February 5.

He said: “Initially I joined with the view of becoming a regular officer and to gain an insight into the role. Once I started, it got under my skin – definitely in a good way. It’s difficult to put your finger on what it is about being a Special, but the fact I’ve been doing it for so long shows that there’s an awful lot you can get out of it. It’s unique and has given me so many opportunities. It really allows you to unleash your potential.”

SI George is an integral part of the Specials on horses pilot, which sees volunteers patrol areas of Powys on horseback.

This has proven to be a successful scheme which provides valuable engagement opportunities with the public. Specials who undertake patrols on horses are given full training, but new recruits who have access to a horse and would like to join the scheme must also take part in regular duties in order to complete their workbooks and gain independent patrol status.

SI George said: “Something I wanted to do when I was in school was become a mounted police officer in Canada. I’m as close as I can be now. Everywhere I’ve been, it has been amazingly received – the reaction has been phenomenal.”

Recruitment for Dyfed-Powys Police’s Special Constabulary is open from Monday, February 5 to Wednesday, March 7. To apply for the Special Constabulary, you must be over 18 but there is no upper age limit as long as you are physically fit and can pass the endurance (bleep) test at level 5.4.

Those who successfully apply, pass vetting, a medical and the fitness test will undergo seven weekends of initial training at HQ, which covers aspects of law, personal safety training, restraint techniques, conflict management, role play scenarios, training on force systems, dealing with antisocial behaviour, stop search and standard search procedures.

This is followed up by training once a month on division, where their knowledge is built upon. Specials start to complete work books from day one of training, and follow these through to completion on division – once they have completed their workbooks and have had them signed off they achieve independent patrol status.

Follow @DPPSpecials on Twitter, Heddlu Dyfed Powys Police on Facebook, or visit https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ for information on applying.

If you’re interested in applying but would like to find out more before taking the plunge, email Citizens in Policing Coordinator Adele Jones on [email protected].