New Special Constables join Wiltshire Police to support neighbourhood policing

Wednesday, 17 September 2025 06:00

A new group of Special Constables have formally completed their training and will now begin operational duties across Wiltshire, supporting the delivery of neighbourhood policing and contributing to increased visibility in local communities.

The volunteers, who have undergone extensive training, will work alongside regular officers as part of Wiltshire Police’s commitment to the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee — ensuring that every community has access to a named, visible, and accessible policing presence.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson said, “Neighbourhood policing is at the heart of our approach to building safer communities.

“The addition of these Special Constables will help strengthen local teams and improve the visibility and responsiveness of policing across Wiltshire. Their presence will support our efforts to tackle local issues, build trust, and ensure that residents feel connected to their local police.”

Special Constables are warranted officers who volunteer their time to support frontline policing. They have the same powers and responsibilities as regular officers and play a key role in community engagement, crime prevention, and reassurance patrols.

Wiltshire Police is currently recruiting more Special Constables and is particularly keen to hear from individuals with specialist skills, including in cybercrime, digital investigations, and IT. These skills are increasingly important in modern policing and can make a significant contribution to tackling online threats and supporting complex investigations.

Colin Conway is the Citizens in Policing manager at Wiltshire Police. "The life skills our Specials bring to the role are invaluable and give Wiltshire Police vital experience across a number of areas. It gives our officers the ability to think differently about how they approach certain situations and share their knowledge with each other to make us a more rounded police force.

"Our latest group of recruits is more than double our last intake, and we're bucking the national trend in terms of recruitment.

"It's something we hope to continue, and it's testament to the people of Wiltshire and Swindon that we're able to attract a wide variety of residents who give up their time to create safer spaces in their community."