Police hope to recruit more than 100 new volunteer special constables to patrol the streets of Leicestershire. The force currently employs approximately 270 specials, who are involved in a range of policing roles, but hopes to swell the ranks to 400. Specials give their time freely to help the fight against crime and have all the powers of regular officers, wear the same uniform and carry the same equipment. However, they combine their unpaid roles as police officers with family life, full-time jobs or studies. Leicestershire Police is organising a series of recruitment events in the coming months for those who are interested in joining up. The force is losing millions of pounds from its budget as a result of public spending cuts and now employs several hundred fewer police officers than it did before the spending reductions were introduced. Sir Clive Loader, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "Specials are a real asset to Leicestershire Police. I'm extremely grateful of the time they give to keeping communities safe and I fully support the recruitment of further officers." A number of Leicestershire officers began their careers as specials, including Chief Inspector Martyn Ball, who is now one of the most senior officers in the city. He previously told the Mercury: "My dad was a police officer in Leicestershire for 30 years and my grandfather was in the Royal Military Police. "All I ever wanted to be was a police officer. I became a special constable when I was at university in Leicester. "It gave another dimension to being a student and it gave me a head start in my career." Two forthcoming recruitment seminars for prospective officers are being held at the force's headquarters in Enderby. One will take place on Wednesday, (JAN 7) and the other on Tuesday, February 10. Both events will begin at 6pm and are expected to last up to two hours. For further information about the Special Constabulary, go to: www.leics.police.uk or call 0300 330 1330.
