‘There’s a real sense of purpose’: Meet the volunteer Police Officers with full police powers

From their work attending burglaries to helping victims of domestic abuse, Special Officers across the two counties are being thanked for their efforts by Devon and Cornwall Police this week.

Special Officers are volunteers who work alongside regular paid officers - they respond to the same emergencies, wear the same kit, and can exercise the same powers.

Devon and Cornwall Police Special Chief Officer Dr Ashley Frayling, who works during the day as a criminology lecturer at the University of Exeter, said she is “extremely proud” of the work her Special Officers do.

“We have some fantastic people who show dedication and professionalism, managing to fit in volunteering alongside their regular jobs and family commitments,” she said.

“Specials must pledge 16 hours a month with the Force but many give more - on average our Specials give between 27 and 32 duty hours a month.”

There are 168 Special Officers working across Devon and Cornwall - the third highest of any police force behind Essex and the Metropolitan Police Service.

You can apply to be a Special from the age of 17, and there’s no upper age limit. You don’t need any specific qualifications or previous experience.

Special Chief Officer Dr Frayling was 20 years old and studying at university when she joined the Force. She is now celebrating her 20th year of service this month, October 2026.

“I was looking for something practical, to get myself out of the books,” she said. “I never knew about the Special Constabulary - I was just [searching] for volunteering opportunities and it came up.

“I thought ‘let’s give it a go’ and somehow I managed to get through! I found myself starting in uniform and going out into the public and I did think ‘what have I signed up for?’ but I actually ended up really enjoying it and really enjoying the people I worked with!”

This year marks 195 years since the passing of the Special Constabulary Act.

The Act established the role of the Special Constable and created a tradition that continues to play a part in policing today.

Special Constable Sarah Wolf, based in Exeter, has volunteered with the Force for two years. She works during the day in marketing and communications.

“I got to about 50 and thought that some of my experience and some of my life skills might actually be used well in the community,” Special Constable Wolf told Exeter Today.

“I thought I could bring a bit of patience, a bit of confidence, and the ability to tell people to ‘pack it in’ when necessary.

“For me, I’ll finish my day job in the day and then come on shift as a Special Constable around 5pm on a Friday evening. I’ll go to briefing with the regular colleagues, put my radio on, and wait for the jobs to come in. I won’t finish until three or four on Saturday morning.

“It can be challenging, but there’s a real sense of purpose that comes with knowing you’ve made a difference.

“On a shift I might go to a burglary, I might go help a victim of domestic abuse, I might look for a missing person - we do lots of different things and every shift is different.”

Many Special Constables carry out their duties through the Employer Supported Policing initiative - a scheme which enables Force volunteers to take paid time off from their full time job to give back to the community. More than 100 companies in England and Wales currently participate in the scheme.

This Thursday, October 15, marked national Employer Supported Policing day.

“The Special Constabulary is a very valued part of our police Force and we really appreciate their contribution,” said Devon and Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan.

“They give up their own time to support officers and help others and I would like to add my heartfelt thanks to them for all they achieve and the efforts they make to keep the communities of Devon and Cornwall safe.”

You can find out more about volunteering with Devon and Cornwall Police here.