§ Mr. TouhigTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police forces in Great Britain employ, or plan to employ, a special constabulary liaison recruiting officer or equivalent; [32232]
(2) in those police forces which employ a special constabulary proactive recruiting officer or equivalent (a) what salary people employed in these positions receive, (b) how many hours per week they work and (c) how much money was spent on advertisements to recruit them. [32233]
§ Mr. MacleanThe information held centrally is as follows:
All 43 police forces in England and Wales have force recruitment officers whose responsibilities include the recruitment of special constables. At least two forces employ at least one member of staff who is solely dedicated to processing applications to the special constabulary. In one force, a special constable handles applications to the special constabulary.
225WNineteen out of 43 police forces in England and Wales have appointed, or intend to appoint, specials liaison officers. Their duties and responsibilities vary, but may include liaison between regular officers and special constables across the force, promoting the special constabulary within the community, and helping to plan specials-specific initiatives. The majority of forces employ civilians in the post, but four forces have appointed inspectors, and police constables, for the purpose. All but two of the specials liaison officers are full-time—approximately 37 hours per week. The two part-time posts are for about 20 hours a week.
The salaries of the civilian employees range from £10,400 to £22,000 per annum: the salaries of the regular officers involved range from some £30,000 to £53,000 per annum. Several of the special liaison officer posts have been funded from Home Office grant provided through challenge funding earlier this year.
In the majority of cases, the posts were advertised internally and thus without direct costs. In the five forces where the costs were identifiable, they ranged from £170 to £700.