ASCCO (ASCO’s predecessor) developed the first National Strategy for the Special Constabulary in partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) which has now been replaced by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
ASCO developed a new strategy for the next stage of development of the Special Constabulary. Parts of this strategy have been adopted by the NPCC in the ‘Special Constabulary National Strategy 2018-2023’.
ASCO acts as the voice of Special Constables at a wide range of national groups developing strategy, policy and standards for the police service as a whole. We are full members and our volunteer representatives attend meetings on top of ‘day jobs’ and volunteering with local forces. We think it’s worth the effort to make sure that the skills, contribution and interests of the Special Constabulary are properly represented when policy is being set.
In 2022 ASCO worked on ‘Thinking about the future’ to help define next steps in Volunteer Policing in the UK whilst supporting the use of Taser by Special Constables as a strategic tool to be used by all forces.