"We're contributing to our community" say Wiltshire Special Constables
Police are preparing to open recruitment for more Special Constables
Two Special Constables with Wiltshire Police are telling us what they enjoy most about the role.
It's ahead of the Force opening another round of recruitment as they aim to boost the number of volunteer officers.
Special Constable is a voluntary role where officers have the same powers and responsibilities as regular officers and are highly trained in playing an essential role in preventing, reducing and tackling crime and keeping the communities of Wiltshire safe.
The organisation currently has 87 Specials after 18 joined in April this year.
The next intake starts in October, with the Force hoping to reach 120 by April 2028.
David Turner has been a Special for more than two decades.
He said: "I get a sense of giving back to the community. I have some skills from my day job that I can assist Wiltshire Police with.
"I'm quite a gregarious person. I love getting out, talking to people and also helping people whether they're a victim of crime."
Fellow Special, Rita Shevchenko, added: "I think being a Special gives you a great opportunity to be involved with something which really matters and which has the potential to help real people day-to-day with substantial problems they face.
"Many of us get satisfaction in other jobs we do being able to join the police as a volunteer is incredibly rewarding because it just has a lot of meaning and you're able to contribute something to your community."
We can find out more about becoming a Special Constable here.