CHESHIRE Constabulary’s own dedicated force of voluntary police officers is just the fifth Special Constabulary to receive the prestigious Kings Award for Voluntary Service.
The King’s Award is issued nationally on 14 November every year as part of King Charles III’s birthday celebrations and is one of the highest honours groups of volunteers can be awarded with.
As part of this year’s awards, Cheshire own force of dedicated voluntary officers, the Special Constabulary, have been presented with the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. The issuing of this award makes them just the fifth Special Constabulary in the country to have been presented with the award.
This award coincides with the recent news that Cheshire Constabulary is one of the strongest policing performances in the country. The national performance figures released last month highlighted the force’s success in achieving high charge rates in key crime areas and delivering positive outcomes for both victims and communities.
Cheshire Special Constabulary is made up of approximately 145 volunteer police officers who collectively contribute more than 50,000 hours of policing every year, working alongside regular police officers and staff to help keep Cheshire safe.
The volunteer officers support frontline policing, respond to incidents, tackle criminality, and help protect the communities they serve by often being the first on the scene to many unfolding incidents.
Known as ‘Special Constables’, the volunteer officers hold the same power as their regular colleagues, however, unlike full-time police officers, they balance policing duties alongside careers, families, education and other commitments.
Recently, Cheshire has invested in training 45 specialist volunteer officers in capabilities such as using tasers, response driving and the deployment of vehicle stopping equipment such as a stingers.
Special Chief Officer Leon Boland, Head of Cheshire’s Special Constabulary, said: “To say that we are humbled and incredibly proud to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service would be an understatement. Across almost 200 years of volunteer policing, countless thousands of people have stepped forward to serve their communities. To see Cheshire recognised among such a small and distinguished group is something I find genuinely humbling.
“I have often said that the Special Constabulary is one of policing’s best-kept secrets. We have some truly exceptional people doing remarkable things, often without the recognition they deserve. This award changes that, and I could not be prouder.
“While this award recognises Cheshire, I want to extend my personal thanks to every Special Constable serving across the country, and to those who have served before us. Your contribution matters, your service matters and the difference you make deserves to be recognised.
“I also want to thank our regular police officer colleagues, supervisors, staff, leaders and families who support our volunteers. Nobody achieves something like this alone.
“To every member of Cheshire Special Constabulary, past and present: this award belongs to you. It is recognition of your selflessness, your dedication and your extraordinary contribution to the communities we are privileged to serve.
“This is the culmination across 195 years of us quietly making a difference.”
Assistant Chief Constable and Constabulary Lead for Citizens in Policing Bill Dutton said: “I would like to thank every member of our Special Constabulary who has contributed their own time in the service of keeping Cheshire, its communities and residents safe. They are a highly valued part of our workforce, providing additional resilience, skills and community insight that strengthens our ability to protect the public.
“Special Constables also play a vital role in the wider policing of our county and are, often, the first officers on the scene to unfolding incidents and routinely put themselves in the path of danger whilst circumstances are being established.
Just as one example, last year they responded to over 2,500 emergency incidents as the first responders, delivering a professional service to our communities.
“The issuing of the Kings Award of the for Voluntary Service to Cheshire’s Special Constabulary, marking just the fifth time in the history of the award that it has been handed to a voluntary police service, highlights the exceptional efforts and dedication of our Special Constables.
“As Special Constabulary’s across the country celebrate 195 years of service this year, this award provides a poignant opportunity to recognise its history, celebrate its present and champion its future.”
