Devon and Cornwall Police has launched a campaign to recruit new Special Constables to the force.

The campaign will run for three weeks between Monday, February 3rd and Friday, 21st February 2014, with the aim of recruiting additional Special Constables (‘Specials’) throughout the region.

Special Constables are trained volunteers who provide essential support to neighbourhood policing teams and assist in making our communities safer. Personal benefits of joining as a Special Constable include learning new skills that can be utilised in their existing careers and personal lives.

People from across the region are encouraged to apply. Applications from those who live in rural areas and people from ethnic minority groups are particularly encouraged in order to reflect the communities served by Devon and Cornwall Police.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Tony Hogg, who has made it a priority to ensure there are 650 serving Specials by March of this year and 800 by 2017. He said, “Becoming a Special Constable for Devon and Cornwall Police is one of the most challenging and rewarding voluntary roles possible.

“Our Specials are drawn from many different walks of life and they share a desire to make a real difference. Volunteering for a minimum of four hours per week makes a real difference and helps significantly to forge vital links between communities and the police service.”

Specials Constabulary Chief Officer, Marc Kastner-Walmsley, said: “This is a very exciting time for the Special Constabulary and we encourage as many people as possible to find out more about the role and hopefully decide it’s something for them.

“I know from my own experience how Special Constables are valued by police officers and their local communities. This is an opportunity to join the policing family and be part of something special.

“Special Constables play an important part in policing Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, performing a variety of different duties. As a Special people learn many new and transferable skills, develop confidence in dealing with difficult situations and, not least, make new friends.”

Details on how to apply are available via the Devon and Cornwall Police website at: http://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/JoinUs/.