The beginnings of what is now known the Special Constabulary started with an act passed by King Charles II in 1673 which extended common law in order to summon any man to the role of temporary peace officer in times of unrest. Any citizen who refused to carry out this role could be heavily fined or even jailed.

In 1819, 300 Specials were used to help manage enormous demonstrations in Manchester during the industrial revolution, demonstrations which resulted in riots leaving several dead and many more injured. Following this, in 1820, the government passed an act confirming the magistrates' power to summon men to the role of Special Constable.

1831 saw the introduction of the first Special Constables act, allowing local authorities to recruit Special Constables to supplement the shortage of regular officers who were unable to keep law and order on their own. Along with this, Specials were given the full powers of a regular police officers and equipment needed for protection whilst exercising their duties.

Another Act in 1834 saw the Special Constabulary becoming more like the Constabulary it is today. The act contained two major parts - the first allowed Specials to act outside of their parishes and townships, whilst the second - and most important - introduced the idea of the voluntary Special Constable.

The professional body of the Special Constabulary that exists today had much to do with the changes that came about at the start of World War One. It became voluntary, part time and expenses only were paid to its volunteers.

As strange as it may seem, the specials main role during the years of the war was guarding the nations water supply in case of enemy sabotage. At the outbreak of war 24,000 Specials were sworn in, and by the end of the first year that number had risen to 31,000. At the end of the year 1917, over 2,300 Metropolitan Police Officers alone were serving in the armed forces, therefore Specials had a crucial part to play in the policing of the nation during these troubled times.

Since then Specials have played a much more important role in the police force, including support during the general strike of 1924 and during the Second World War 1939 - 1945.

Special Constable Glen Goodman

Today Specials play a more active role in front line policing. This fact was brought home by the murder of Special Constable Glen Goodman from North Yorkshire Police in 1992. Glen was a likeable 37 year old with ambitions to join the regular force. He had only been a Special for a few months when whilst on patrol with a regular officer when the 2 did a routine stop check on the A64 near Tadcaster. The vehicle stopped contained two IRA terrorists. The 2 men shot the 2 police officers, several times. The regular was badly injured and spent many weeks in hospital, eventually retiring from the force due to the incident. Glen died in hospital later that evening.

Fortunately this is an extreme case, however it does bring home the realities of danger associated with being a police officer.