VOLUNTEER police officers across the regions have been thanked for their hard work and dedication.
In total just more than 300 Special Constables gave up more than 87,000 hours of their free time last year to tackle crime and keep the streets safe in the region.
Together they completed 15,200 duties in 2021 as they worked alongside a wide number of police teams including neighbourhood teams and road policing.
The officers – known as ‘Specials’ and whose ages range from 18 to over 50 – have the same powers and wear the same uniform as employed police officers.
Many of the force’s Specials work in the community as accountants, doctors or teachers and want to be a volunteer officer to support their local community or get a taste of life as a police officer.
Assistant chief constable Richard Baker, who is the lead for local policing, said: “This is a phenomenal effort by our Specials who are a crucial part of West Midlands Police.
“They give up their time to help and protect others by working alongside regular officers to tackle crime and make our communities safer.
“They’ve been prepared to put themselves on the frontline during the pandemic which is testament to their commitment. We’re fortunate and grateful to have such so many fantastic people.
“It’s a fascinating time to consider becoming a Special as we’ve got the Commonwealth Games coming up – and we’ll be looking for our volunteers to play a role during the eagerly anticipated event.”
A special needs to commit to at least 16 hours a month but times are flexible.
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