Ian Miller, Chair of the Association of Special Constabulary Officers, told BBC News that Special Constables who join the regular constabulary were “not being replaced”
West Midlands Police saw its Special Constabulary strength decrease by over two-thirds in a five-year period from 2012 to 2017, with Merseyside also losing a similar number.
The Metropolitan Police Service reported a loss of 52% of its Special Constabulary strength after a significant recruitment campaign in the run-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. A spokeswoman told The BBC that numbers have fallen due to the “natural life cycle” of volunteers, with many joining the regular service.
See more at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-43171819. Picture credit: Greater Manchester Police.
