§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the re-application process required of special constables who move to a new police area. [60642]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Working Group which reviewed the Special Constabulary in England and Wales during 1995–96 was aware that, in cases where a special constable wished to transfer from one force to another, the officer was required to resign from his current special constabulary and apply to his new force, undergoing the full recruitment process. The Group saw no reason why a 733W special constable should have to resign in these circumstances and suggested that each force should have procedures and policies to administer transfers between forces, whilst recognising that it is ultimately for the chief officer of the receiving force whether to accept or reject the officer.
Following the Working Group's report, the Home Office and representatives of several special constabularies developed guidance to facilitate transfers between forces. This guidance was presented to, and endorsed by, delegates at the Special Constabulary National Conference in March 1998. It was subsequently ratified by the Standing Committee on the Special Constabulary at its inaugural meeting this month, and it will shortly be disseminated to chief officers by way of a Home Office circular.