§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to offer financial rewards to special constables. [188424]
§ Ms BlearsAs some Police Forces felt that the payment of an allowance to Special Constables might be beneficial, we introduced The Special Constables (Amendment) Regulations 2002, which came into effect on 10 January 2003. This allows police authorities to submit proposals, recommended by the Chief Constable, for locally funded allowance schemes. Proposals require the Secretary of State's approval. Police Authorities may secure funds from outside sources to help run these schemes.
Four schemes have been approved so far. These are in Cumbria (Workington), West Midlands (H2 Operational Command Unit), Thames Valley (Thames Forest area) and Humberside (forcewide).
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will secure the removal of the special constable crest from the epaulettes of police uniforms in order to counter perceptions that special constables are inferior to those employed permanently. [188425]
§ Ms BlearsIt is for chief officers to decide what, if any, means of identification should be present on the uniforms of their force's special constables. Forces 1915W adopt a wide range of means of identifying their special constables, with some using the special constable crest on epaulettes and some not.
Home Office advice when asked has been that decisions on how to identify specials in a particular force should be properly evaluated, and include an assessment of any risks to their safety.