City officer recognised at
national awards
Special Constable Patrick Rarden
accepting his award from
Police Minister Nick Herbert
A City of London Police officer has been recognised as one of
the country’s leading Special Constables.
SC Patrick Rarden picked up the top gong from new Police
Minister Nick Herbert at the NPIA Special Constable and Police
Support Volunteer Awards, held in Westminster. His award recognised
how his banking experience has assisted key fraud cases, and
acknowledged his work in setting up a charity to help rough
sleepers.
Patrick is one of 82 City of London Police ‘Specials’, who are
unpaid members of the public who perform at least 200 hours of duty
each year, typically during busy periods on Thursday and Friday
evenings.
Patrick has been with the force since 2007, during which time his
expertise has proved vital in national and international
investigations. He also provides high-level training for officers
at the force and beyond, explaining the workings of financial
markets, hedge funds and complex investment instruments.
Alongside his counter-fraud work, Patrick maintains a regular
presence on the beat. It was while on duty that he saw first-hand
the amount of food that went to waste outside City food shops. This
inspired him to set up a new charity, ‘Waste Not, Want Not’, to
help feed rough sleepers. The project distributes discarded food
from sandwich shops to feed hundreds of needy people in centres
across London. The scheme is run with the support of sandwich chain
EAT, the Salvation Army and the Fruiterers Livery Company
Charitable Trust, as well as Thames Reach and Veterans Aid.
Patrick joined the police as a member of the Honourable
Artillery Company Special Constabulary Detachment. Det Chief Supt
Steve Head, who heads City of London Police’s Economic Crime
Directorate said: “Patrick has shown himself to be the
yardstick on how Specials can make a major contribution to the
success of the force. His unique expertise and passion for the role
make him an indispensable member of the team, and we are delighted
this has been reflected in the NPIA’s awards."
”City of London Police is proud to be the national lead force
for investigating economic crime. To carry out the specialist
investigations we are involved in requires a highly-talented and
specialist team. That Patrick gives his time voluntarily to be a
part of that is a credit both to him and the force.”