Neighbourhood Policing: Focus on our Special Constables
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As Neighbourhood Policing Week continues and we celebrate the different roles within neighbourhood policing – focus turns to our special constables and vital role they play within Greater Manchester Police.
From investigating crimes and arresting suspects to tackling local issues, such as anti-social behaviour, harassment and road traffic offences, special constables play an incredible role as they volunteer their time to support our communities.
In just one month (December 2023), Special constables volunteered over 4,200 hours to policing duties – assisting in the arrests of 195 suspects, carrying out 314 community engagement events, attending 518 emergency 999 calls and stopping 504 vehicles for traffic offences.
Special constables are volunteer police officers who play a vital role in helping to police all areas of Greater Manchester and support our communities. They have full police powers and wear a police uniform with their duties being the same as regular officers.
The majority of GMP’s current cohort of special constables support district activity however, there are also opportunities to support during force events and operations such as Operation Custodian (night-time economy operation) and parades such as Remembrance Sunday. Around 30 of our special constables also recently undertook training in Public Order Public Safety (POPS) policing meaning that they can also now be deployed at high-profile events including footballs matches.
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Special Chief Inspector Cat Cutler – City of Manchester
Special Chief Inspector (SCI) Cutler was recently promoted having joined GMP back in 2014. She has worked across the City of Manchester for the past eight and half years alongside her day job as an Exams and Data Manager in Trafford.
Herself and her team recently yielded fantastic results for a National campaign entitled Operation Limit which looked to tackle traffic offences across the region during the festive period. Across December 2023, 25 of the City of Manchester Special Constabulary undertook seven different operations resulting in several traffic stops including 213 drivers being breathalysed with three arrested.
SCI Cutler said: “I am incredibly proud to head up the team of special constables across City of Manchester – they are driven and determined to keep our streets safe and ensure that communities feel safe.
“It is extremely rewarding to be a Special Chief Inspector and alongside my team, knowing that we have helped to stop criminals and protect our communities.”
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Special Constable Trevor Stamford – Bolton
Special Constable (SC) Trevor Stamford joined in June 2020 after speaking to colleagues during his day job who were also special constables and realising how rewarding the role was. After leaving school at 16, Trevor joined the army and enlisted as a junior leader at Harrogate specialising in all aspects of secure communications. He served in many countries in an operational capacity, and after leaving the army – his interest in the police piqued however recruitment was on hold in his area.
Years later his interest was rekindled through his current role for a national coach company who work closely with partners to ensure their communities are safe. Since joining in 2020, SC Stamford has been involved in several different operational activities from night-time patrols across Bolton to targeting shoplifters.
SC Stamford said: “You are constantly learning whilst on the job and no two situations are the same. I get a great deal of satisfaction and feel immense pride working together as a team helping to keep members of the public safe in all areas of neighbourhood policing and knowing I am contributing to GMP.”
GMP are currently recruiting for special constables and are hosting a series of events across the year. You can find more information about our Special Constabulary together with our recruitment events via the link here - https://www.gmp.police.uk/police-forces/greater-manchester-police/areas/greater-manchester-force-content/careers/careers/special-constables/