HAVE you always dreamed of joining the police, but life took you on a different path? Or are you considering a career on the beat, but want to get some experience under your belt?

Yes? Then now’s your chance.

Dyfed-Powys Police is opening recruitment for Special Constables in Pembrokeshire and Powys on Monday, July 8.

Specials are volunteer police officers who have the same powers 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 between Specials and regular officers is that the time they give to the force – a minimum of 16 hours a month – is voluntary.

Dyfed-Powys Police has a team of Specials who come from all walks of life, and fit their volunteer work around full-time positions and family lives. The one thing they have in common is their passion for keeping their communities safe.

Pembrokeshire Special Inspector Beth Thomas works full time in the force’s control room, taking 101 and 999 calls. She has volunteered nearly 150 hours as a Special so far this year, and says she loves how every shift is different.

Looking back at her first shift, she said: “I remember being really nervous before my first shift, but I didn’t need to be at all – the officers were really supportive and looked after me.

“Once I was out on patrol, I didn’t have a chance to be nervous. We were sent from one call to another, but the one that really stood out was a male who had committed suicide. I had never dealt with anything similar before and tried to support the officers as best as I could. I commenced the scene log and comforted a male who had witnessed the incident, who thanked me for my support and professionalism.

“Once the incident was dealt with, my colleagues were very caring and checked that I was ok having dealt with a traumatic incident. I knew then that they thought of me as part of the team and that I would really enjoy working with them.”

Special Inspector Giles George is based in Brecon, and established the first Specials on horses programme in the force. 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.”

Applicants must submit an online application form, pass a medical and vetting and fitness test, and complete an initial training course.

This is followed up by training once a month on Specials’ respective divisions where their knowledge is built upon. They are accompanied by regular officers until they have completed their workbooks – usually after a year – when they achieve independent patrol status.