Crime Solicitors

The Home Secretary has announced that police volunteers will be given greater powers without taking on the role of special constable.

Theresa May has said that the changes will enable volunteers and staff to work more closely with police officers in policing communities – and the reforms will also help to bring new skills and expertise to policing, freeing up police officers to concentrate on core policing tasks.

Volunteer Special Constables have held all of the powers of a constable since 1831. However, Police Support Volunteers have held none of these powers.

The government will also set out the core list of powers only available to a police officer holding the office of constable. The measures – which will form part of the Policing and Crime Bill – include enabling chief officers to designate a wider range of powers to police staff and volunteers, as well as enabling volunteers to be designated with powers in the same way as staff.

The role of traffic warden under the Road Traffic Acts will also be abolished.
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Hampshire and Gloucestershire forces have already launched a pilot to attract volunteers with digital skills, to support police digital investigations by providing technical expertise to the forces’ cyber/digital teams. The pilot is due to run for six to 12 months.

Announcing the reforms, Theresa May said:

“Police officers across the country carry out a wide range of duties, keeping the public safe and ensuring justice for the most vulnerable members of society.

“We value the essential role they play, but they cannot do this on their own.
We want to help forces to create a more flexible workforce, bring in new skills and free up officers’ time to focus on the jobs only they can carry out.

“At the same time, we want to encourage those with skills in particular demand – such as those with specialist IT or accountancy skills – to work alongside police officers to investigate cyber or financial crime, and help officers and staff fight crime more widely.

“This government is committed to finishing the job of police reform and the upcoming Policing and Crime Bill will help to do just that.”

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Citizens in Policing, Chief Constable Dave Jones, added:

“The new approach to designating police powers will help the police service be more flexible when it comes to attracting and deploying volunteers with valuable skills – especially in situations where the full powers of a constable are not necessary.

“The onus on chief constables is to use the powers wisely, ensure they fit the needs of local policing – and provide appropriate training so that they help us keep our communities safe.

“A new strategy for citizens in policing is being developed – as part of this, we are seeking the views of all volunteers across the police forces of the UK, looking at their roles and experience in the past and planning for the future.

“The new powers will form part of this strategy – and give us more opportunities to harness the great appetite for volunteering in the UK.”

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise at any stage of a criminal charge, including charges involving cyber crime such as online fraud, IT crime/hacking, or white collar crime.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

Duncan Lewis can also attend interviews with investigating authorities such as SFO, FCA, HMRC, BIS, Insolvency Service, Border Force and City of London Police – and can advise on cyber crime or white collar crime at the start of an investigation before charges are brought.

For expert legal advice on charges relating to cyber crime or online crime, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.