Around fifty members of the Special Constabulary worked alongside their regular colleagues in a variety of roles, providing an additional 320 hours of policing.
The Special Constables made five arrests, carried out a range of duties which included foot patrol in the city centre, checks on licensed premises, taking witness statements, searching suspects and carrying out road traffic enforcement patrols.
A highlight of the weekend was when a special constable and traffic officer assisted a new mum after she delivered a baby. SC Chris Hartley and TC Alison Travis were on duty on Fulford Road when a man taking his wife, who was already in labour, to hospital asked for help. They escorted the couple through traffic. However, the mother gave birth in the car as they travelled across the city. Following the birth the officers made sure that both mother and child were safe and well before closing a stretch of the road to give them some privacy when the ambulance arrived.
York’s Special Constables recently delivered a weekend of high visibility policing in the city.
Special Strategic Officer, Jerry Holland, who is the most senior member of the Special Constabulary in North Yorkshire and the City of York, was also on patrol during the operation. He said: “The operation was a great success and a demonstration of the commitment given by members of the Special Constabulary every week.
“Because members of the Special Constabulary have the same powers as their regular colleagues, they are able to carry out a range of duties. Once they have completed their probation they are able to carry out patrols on their own.
“A number of the Special Constables who took part in the operation joined the force following last year’s recruitment campaign and have recently been sworn in.
“We are in the process of recruiting and training more Special Constables to boost the ranks, but we can never have too many volunteers.
“If you are willing and able to give four hours of your time each week, why not join the Special Constabulary and make a real difference in your community.”
To find out more about the work of the Special Constabulary please visit http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/specials.