Volunteer officers recognised for their contributions to North Wales Police

Volunteer police officers across the region have been recognised for their contributions to North Wales Police.

Special Constables provide a vital service across the country by giving up their time to help their local communities.

Between March 2020 and March 2022, North Wales Police attested over 70 new Special Constables into the force.

However the coronavirus pandemic meant the joining and training processes for these new voluntary Police officers were of course out of the ordinary due to the restrictions imposed.

An attestation is a formal ceremony in which Police officers are required to take an oath, which is witnessed by a Magistrate to formally appoint them into the post. Following this, they are sent out across the force to their appointed stations as operational Police officers.

Usually, friends and family are invited to these events to see their loved ones declare their oath and sign the declaration.

But during the pandemic however, this wasn’t the case.

Although some relatives were able to watch online, although not everyone was able to do this.

Earlier this month the officers who are still serving in the Special Constabulary had the opportunity to “pass out” properly, with their friends and family present.

Although they may have been serving for some time, it was an opportunity for them to experience what they missed out on due to the pandemic.

The event was encompassed by the particular celebration of two officers; Special Inspector James Morris and Special Chief Inspector Kate Glover-Jones.

S/Inspector Morris, who has been a serving officer for fourteen years and received his second long service bar, said: “During my time with the Special Constabulary I have worked alongside Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Response officers in the Denbighshire Coastal area before moving to my current role as Special Inspector on the Roads Safety Unit which is made up entirely of Special Constables.

“I’m so grateful for the help and support I’ve received over the last fourteen years, my journey with the Special Constabulary has been one like no other and I’ve met some amazing people and had incredible experiences along the way”.

S/Chief Inspector Glover-Jones has been a Volunteer Police Officer for thirteen years, serving in the Flintshire area on response.

Receiving her certificate of long service at the ceremony, she said: “I am very proud to have been part of the Special Constabulary for thirteen years and would encourage anyone with an interest to join.”

The recognition of the serving officers was made all the more poignant with the attestation of five new Special Constables into our ranks.

Since starting their training in August 2023, they have been put through their paces in various written and practical assessments and were sworn into the Office of Constable.

Special Chief Officer Mark Owen said “Alongside celebrating our newest Special Constables completing their initial training it’s such a pleasure to be able to thank those that joined us during the most demanding times of the Covid Pandemic.

“It’s sometimes difficult to remember the massively challenging circumstances we operated in during that time and the fact that when these officers applied to join, they did so at a time when we were all fearful about our personal safety and the safety of our friends and relatives.

“Rather than stay at home passively these officers came forward and joined the Special Constabulary and became part of our team that supported our communities and did their bit to keep our communities safe.”