National Specials Conference

Fri, 19 March 2010 Courtesy of: Metropolitan Police

Big Brother host Davina McCall will join an array of luminaries from the global policing community at this weekend's national Specials conference in London.

The celebrity mother of three was so moved by the discovery of her eminent French police ancestor during the making of the recent TV programme 'Who do You Think You Are' she has agreed to speak in support of the cause of special policing at the biannual conference - which is this year hosted by the Met for the first time ever. As head of the police in France in the early years of the 20th century her great-grandfather Celestin Hennion revolutionised the service.

Davina said "I'd always known that my great grandfather was a policeman in France, but only last year did I found out that he was a national hero; he sought justice in the Dreyfus Affair, a spying scandal that shocked France. I'm so proud of his integrity, and his instinct to do the right thing, no matter what the personal cost.

“We love specials. They do a knock out job for London ”

"Good news stories about the police are rarely reported. The fact that thousands of Special Constables from all walks of life across the UK give up their own time, to make a difference for us all, should be celebrated. I'm delighted to be volunteering my time to support their incredible efforts for our community."

The conference in central London will promote the best work of the significant force of volunteer police officers, on the ground, across the country. Specials include men and women from all walks of life, ranging from TV producers and cross channel ferry operators to multi-national bank directors and nurses.

"Friday night will see a charity auction with prizes on offer including a private tour of the Tower of London, while on Saturday a variety of speakers such as policing minister David Hanson MP and blind adventurer Miles Hilton-Barber will be followed by the chance to visit the Marine Policing Unit, before Davina takes the floor after dinner.

Sunday will see a themed series of sessions focusing on the Olympics, highlighting the potential of forces' contingents of Specials to contribute to 2012. These will include Ian Levitt giving an update from his perspective as Assistant Chief Constable Olympic and Paralympic Security Directorate and swimmer Dervis Konuralp giving the benefit of his experience as a paralympian.

There will be plenty of opportunities for networking and enlivened debate during the weekend generated by the 300 delegates convening from all over the UK and as far afield as Hungary, Hong Kong and the US to share examples of their best practice in their local forces.

Lorraine Woolley, Chief Officer of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary, (MSC) said "This is an opportunity for all forces to get together and exchange best practice. I am delighted that the MSC together with the MPS will be hosting this national conference. We have a wide range of speakers highlighting the success of the Special Constabulary and Reserve Officers, with delegates both national and international. "Specials are ordinary men and women who are prepared to give up their free time for their communities and this provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate all that good work."

Kit Malthouse, MPA chair and Deputy Mayor for Policing, added "We love specials. They do a knock out job for London and we want more of them- a lot more. If you feel like doing your bit for the safety of the city, the best way is by signing up to become a Met Police Special."

Over a third of the MSC are from BME communities and around a third female. Specials wear the same uniform, are afforded the same powers as their full time police officer colleagues and are involved in all aspects of frontline policing, from anti-robbery initiatives to hotspot operations to tackle under-age drinking. They can also provide a valuable addition to specialist units such as art and antiques, marine support, and e-crime with relevant experience gained from their everyday jobs.

The Met also runs an Employer Supported Policing (ESP) scheme in partnership with a number of key employers covering a variety of industries. Employers on this scheme provide time off to police areas of relevance, for example shop workers being released to patrol a town centre with the policing team. The MPS are about to welcome the Greater London Authority onto the ESP scheme.