Police ask employers to provide paid leave to Special Constables

Police Scotland is asking employers to consider providing paid leave to members of staff who volunteer as Special Constables to allow them to support the national effort to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The service faces unprecedented challenges to maintain
policing while managing rising levels of sickness and self-isolation among
officers and staff.

Special Constables are warranted officers with all the
powers of regular police officers who volunteer their services. They are
deployed in local communities to support daily operations and provide
resilience at critical times.

Police Scotland is appealing to Special Constables to
increase their volunteering hours wherever possible and to ask employers to
consider paid leave to allow staff to support Local Policing over the coming 12
weeks.

Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “This is an
extraordinary moment and one that requires a collective response.  It is a moment when the ethos of the Special
Constabulary – supporting Scottish communities and local policing – has never
been more relevant.

“The coronavirus pandemic is presenting an unprecedented and
dynamic set of challenges and, to support health professionals and maximise
public safety, the policing response is crucial.

“The coming weeks and months will be demanding and there
will be significant additional duties that we are required to discharge during
this critical period. To support our overall response, we would like to include
our valued  Special Constables in our
resourcing plans.

“We have written to all our volunteers and their employers
seeking support to provide additional volunteering hours over the coming 12
weeks, however I should stress there is no requirement being placed on anyone.”