MUCH has been said about the introduction of PCSOs as apposed to the original Special Constabulary, which was introduced during the First and Second World Wars. But there is a fundamental difference in their make-up.
The Special Constabulary, not unlike the Home Guard “Dads’ Army” as labelled, filled a void which occurred because serving police officers either volunteered or were drafted into the Armed Services later to be re-instated when conflict ceased.
However, the Specials were chosen for their maturity, with regular training classes established on police premises, a command structure and most important of all powers of arrest, along with a warrant card of authority on par with their counterparts, The Police Constable Institute.
This new breed of Blunkett’s Bobbies through no fault of their own are ill-equipped to meet every incident.
Why this half-baked idea was allowed to foster instead of encouraging a return to old-style policing, including Specials, does no favours to those PCSOs or gives confidence to the general law-abiding public.
Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.
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