What do special constables do? Three Greater Manchester specials on their unique role on the beat

From pounding the beat on a rainy night in Manchester to helping shellshocked people following a natural disaster - the work of a special constable is wide and varied.

Specials have the same powers as full-time police officers - but unlike regular bobbies, the specials don’t get paid and give all their time for free.

So what makes people sign up to this unique and challenging role in Greater Manchester - and who is eligible to do it? Three specials who work in Tameside tell us more.

‘You see the good, the bad and the ugly’

Special Sergeant Martin Bridge, 54, joined the Special Constabulary 26 years ago after attending a meeting at his local police station those 26 years ago where he chatted with the Chief Inspector at the time.

Fire detection officer Martin, from Denton, often travels the world advising companies on their fire detection systems and protocols - travelling from Trinidad to Monaco - but still finds the time to work every Friday night on the beat.

He said: “I’ve seen some awful sights and been to terrible scenes over the years but being in the Special Constabulary gives people life experience - the good, the bad and the ugly.

“You can’t tell the difference between a Special and a regular officer and you’re never shielded from anything. I’d tell anyone to give it a go. It’ll enhance your life.”

Special Constable Dave Browne, 58, has been in the Specials for 17 years and once helped those escaping the Tsunami in 2004 at the airport.

He said: “I was only four months into being a Special and I was asked to go to the airport and assist with people who were flying back after the tsunami.

“They had no clothes, no keys, nothing. That really brought the role home to me - I saw the effort and coordination from everyone there and really opened my eyes to what the job entails. There’s a fun side, and a serious side.”

Dave, from Stalybridge, joined the specials aged 40 and says he particularly enjoys seeing the benefit the volunteers make on the local community.

He said: “I initially joined to dip my toe into the water and see if I wanted to join as a regular officer. However, I decided to stay in my regular role in insurance but still give up time to be a Special where I run a lot of traffic operations.

“I give around 10 to 12 hours a week and arrange training for traffic policing. I work in insurance so traffic and making the roads safer is a keen interest of mine.

“Before joining as a Special I’d never seen a dead body in my life. As a Special you’re fully immersed in the things that officers have to deal with but it’s so worthwhile to see how you can benefit the community and your own confidence.”

Meanwhile, Special Inspector Andrew Morrell manages the Specials in Tameside after working his way up in the role since 2005 after a stint as an ‘appropriate adult’ volunteer for people in custody.

He said: “I always wanted to be in the police as a civilian, I didn’t want to stand back and moan about the lack of police action when there’s a chance for people to join and get involved.

“I spent the first 12 months going round and dealing and helping with the issues that had always annoyed me such as bad driving and anti-social behaviour.”

The 53-year-old volunteers an average 15 to 20 hours a week alongside his full-time job in martial arts.

He added: “I’d tell anyone not to give joining a second thought. The best part of the job is public engagement - being able to go out and talk to the public and really forge those relationships in the place you live as a volunteer is an honour.”

Does being a special help you join the police full-time?

It can do. HR advisor Emma Donbavand joined GMP’s Special Constabulary to “dip her toe in the water” before making a decision to apply to become a full-time officer. After the thousands of hours she’s given to the force, she’s now been accepted to become a police officer.

Emma said she did not set out to join the police as a career move but came into the profession via an unusual path.

She said: “I wanted to go into musical theatre but I broke my leg in two places on a trampoline. I still do some shows on the side and often go to London though.

“When I joined the Specials though, I quickly realised that no two jobs were the same and it’s become an experience like no other so that’s why I ended up applying to join as a police officer.”

Who can be a special?

Greater Manchester police is recruiting for more specials.

To qualify, you need to be able to spare at least four hours a week, of ‘good character’ and in good health including good eyesight, and be aged 18+.

You’ll need to show a ‘good standard of education’ and applicants are put through an assessment to test the likes of motivation, commitment and interpersonal skills.

A small number of professions are excluded from applying.

For more information or to apply, visit the GMP website here.