Recorded at the first ever Women in the Special Constabulary conference, at West Midlands Police’s Tally Ho training facility in Birmingham, England, this exclusive PolicingTV video contains insights from, amongst others (in order of appearance):

• Superintendent Dr Ashley Frayling of Devon & Cornwall Special Constabulary, Chair of the Association of Special Constabulary Officers (ASCO)
• Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe of the Metropolitan Police Service
• Assistant Chief Constable Jen Mattinson of West Midlands Police
• Special Constabulary Acting Chief Officer David Matty, West Midlands Police
• Deputy Chief Officer Stacey Wallace of Surrey Special Constabulary
• Superintendent Joanne Reay of Hertfordshire Special Constabulary
• Special Constabulary Chief Officer Katherine Hancock MBE of Warwickshire Police
• Deputy Assistant Commissioner Matt Ward KPM, Metropolitan Police Service
• Special Constable Laura Hart of Merseyside Police
• Assistant Chief Constable Bill Dutton of Cheshire Police, lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) for the Special Constabulary
• and many other Special Constables attending and contributing to the two day conference

If you’re interested in volunteering as a Special Constable, this is a must-watch video!

The Women in Special Constabulary Conference celebrated the contributions of women in the special constabulary and discussed the importance of having women in leadership roles.

The speakers emphasized the need for diversity and representation in the constabulary to better serve the communities although Work-life balance was identified as a factor that affects the number of female officers, the focus should be on having the right person in the right position, regardless of gender.

The conference highlighted the successes and achievements of women in the special constabulary and provided a platform for networking and sharing ideas.

Takeaways

• The special constabulary should reflect the communities it serves, and having women in leadership roles is important for better representation.
• Work-life balance is a factor that affects the number of female officers in the constabulary.
• The focus should be on having the right person in the right position, regardless of gender.
• The conference provided a platform for networking, sharing ideas, and celebrating the successes of women in the special constabulary.

Sound Bites

• “Our special constables reflect the communities that we serve and clearly women make up a large amount of the communities we serve.”
• “It’s not the gender of the person in the role, it’s having the right person in that position.”
• “The importance of the special constabulary and women within it is vital to the success of UK policing going forward.”

Chapters

00:00.  Introduction and Opening Remarks
02:24.  Gender and Leadership
06:13.  Addressing Challenges and Supporting the Special Constabulary
07:00.  Empowering Women in the Special Constabulary
08:14.  Networking and Inspiration
08:58.  Closing Remarks and Call to Action

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