Independent Candidate for Denison Hans Willink, today called for the creation of a Tasmanian Volunteer Police service, based on the UK Special Constable model to counter the rising tide of alcohol and drug fuelled violence in Hobart’s CBD and other Tasmanian trouble spots.
“On the one hand we have the Liberals promising 23 new police to re-establish the public order response team, but on the other hand budget blowouts threaten cuts to the entire public service, including police. I smell another backflip in the wind” Mr Willink said.
“But rather than throw my arms up in surrender, I propose that Tasmania create a volunteer police service based on the UK Police Specials model, where on average they make up 25% of each UK police force strength.”
“Tasmania has the highest rates for volunteering in the nation and other emergency services such the Tasmania Fire and Ambulance Services have volunteer forces that are vital to their service, so why not Tasmania Police?”
Other professions such as nursing and teaching have long recognised that there is a need for a lower cost, less trained workforce with enrolled nurses and teacher aides; so why not Tasmania police?
“Offloading lower priority tasks and supplementation during periods of high demand could potentially allow police to focus on more serious crime”.
“But this is more than just a gold plated neighborhood-watch,” Mr Willink said. “In the UK Police Specials do real police work, with patrolling in trouble spots a priority task”.
From http://www.policeuk.com/special_constabulary.php :
The Special Constabulary is the United Kingdom’s part-time police force. It is made up of volunteer members of the public who when on duty wear a uniform and have full police powers. There are over 12,000 Specials serving with police forces across the UK.
Police Specials, on average make up 25% of each force strength.
Specials Duties include:
Routine Patrols
Foot patrol and patrolling in a vehicle will normally take up over half of your duty times in the Specials. Patrol work is important, helping to provide a police presence and act as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
Divisions, can at times be very short staffed especially at the weekends and this is when you will be needed. Either acting as a regular patrol or working in the public order van ready to respond to your areas incidents.
Nuisance Patrols
Paying close attention to the areas of your division that attract a large amount of complaints about anti-social behaviour from the local residents.
Special Ops
Helping to police large events held within the force area. Events such as major sporting events, musical concerts or any event that is likely to attract a large amount of people to the area.
The opportunity may also arise to assist your regular colleagues carry out larger operations, such as arrest or drugs warrants etc.
Helping other agencies such as the Vehicle Inspectorate carry out roadside checks of vehicles may also be a duty allocated to the Special Constabulary.
Neighbourhood duties
Working to improve relations between the local community and the police. The neighbourhood officers work hard to ensure that an effective line of communication exists between the community and those who police it.
End of extract from website
Also at from http://www.policeuk.com/special_constabulary.php is an interview with a police special.
Released and authorised by Hans Willink, Independent Candidate for Denison. Note: Mr Willink was the Director of Information Technology and Communications at Tasmania Police from 1997-2008
