‘Right for Specials to access the Federation’
South Wales Police Federation chair Steve Treharne says it will be a proud moment when Special Constables are able to subscribe to the PFEW for the first time.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill is currently going through Parliament. It includes provision to permit Specials to become members which is set to become law early next year.
And Steve said: “It will be a historic moment when Specials are able to join the Federation and one we should be proud of. The Federation has campaigned for almost a decade for Specials to be able to be part of our Federation, so it will be a great result for us as well as for Specials.
“Specials give their free time to work alongside our members and have been outstanding. We’ve seen the crucial role they’ve played in the response to the pandemic.
“It’s right and just that they have access to the same support as full-time officers.”
Steve’s comments have been echoed by Dave Bamber, secretary of PFEW’s Special Constabulary Working Group, in a blog on the Federation’s website.
Dave said: “Specials won’t be treated any differently when they join PFEW. They will have parity with the existing membership, and exactly the same expert support, representation, and rights to vote and stand in elections. Nothing will be any different from any Special and an existing member.
“As volunteers though, we are keen to offer as much support as we can – especially for Specials who might not earn a lot in their day jobs or are struggling financially.”
Dave added: “There is so much work to be done on the behalf of Specials. Nobody has looked properly at their conditions of service, how they are treated in the workplace, their terms of reference, or their pensions, for many, many years.”