Special Constables' duties

The City of London Special Constabulary (CLSC) has, since 1911, supported the City of London Police in providing volunteer policing to the Square Mile.

City of London SCs perform duties mainly on Thursday and Friday evenings, as this is when it is busiest in the City. The majority of SCs have a response policing role within the City of London Police’s Territorial Policing Directorate.

Duties can include:

• Intelligence-led foot  and mobile patrols
• Anti-social disorder patrols
• Community reassurance patrols
• Plain-clothes operations
• Licensed-premises checks
• Executing warrants
• Drink-drive enforcement
• Vehicle checks
• Responding to incidents
• Initial investigation of crimes
  

Specially trained City Specials also support the community by:

• Patrolling on bikes – on pedal cycle or in the Roads Policing Unit on motor bikes
• Working in Command and Control
• Assisting Economic Crime Directorate
• Working in licensing teams

City of London SCs also support their Regular colleagues in various operations throughout the year. These may be ceremonials such as the Lord Mayor’s Show, Remembrance Day, or Pearly King’s & Queens Harvest Festival; or large pan-London events such as the London Marathon, Thames Festival and demonstrations.

We also assist other Special Constabularies in policing major events including football matches, ceremonial occasions and crime-reduction and community reassurance operations.

When London, including the City, was attacked on 7th July 2005, the CLSC was requested to mobilise. At 1400 hrs, 95% of the CLSC mustered for duty and performed cordon control and anti-terrorism duties until 0700 hrs on the 8th July – after which they went straight to work then returned for duties that evening and for 3 weeks afterwards.

For its response to the Aldgate attack, the entire CLSC was awarded the Home Office Ferrers Trophy.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: “The City of London team are to be commended for demonstrating exceptional dedication and invaluable support to their regular colleagues and to the local community in very demanding and difficult circumstances. Their commitment and unstinting efforts on and following that tragic day last year undoubtedly contributed to the increased security operation in London. They are highly deserving of this award.”

City Specials are rewarded for their time and energy, not through pay, but from the experiences that would normally never be attained. Specials will see the best and worst of human nature and learn more about life than most people would ever do. The skills and confidence they learn as Specials can be used in their personal lives and occupations. Whether it is seeing a person they have arrested being found guilty of the offence in Court, giving first aid to someone ill in the street, assisting in the control of a Royal visit, or participating in a plain clothes operation to target drugs-misuse, a Special can be satisfied that they are helping to solve the issues that impact the City community.

Some Specials may ultimately want to join the City of London Police full time and the Special Constabulary gives them an opportunity to gain experience, make contacts and see if a career as a regular officer is right for them. Other Specials may want to take on more responsibility and be promoted to sergeant – and eventually to Commandant – or focus on a specialist role such as a cycle squad officer. Due to the unique issues and policing of the City of London, City Specials have diverse and rewarding experiences with the satisfaction and pride of helping the community and making a real difference to the City of London.

Honourable Artillery Company

The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) is the oldest regiment in the British Army and is part of the Territorial Army with its own elite Special Forces role.

The HAC has a Special Constabulary Detachment which was formed in 1919 and which supports the HAC by policing events and operations at the HAC’s HQ at Armoury House. City SCs may apply to join the HAC Detachment once they have completed the initial training  and been attested.