It is a partnership between you, your employee and the police service where you release Special Constables to volunteer in the community they serve.

Under this partnership, staff interested in applying to be Special Constables or already operating as Special Constables are given paid time off to undertake their volunteer police duties and/or training.

By working in partnership with Police Scotland you will benefit from having your SPC staff trained for free. Volunteering as a Special Constable will allow staff to build upon their personal and professional development, becoming skilled in:
• Leadership
• Management
• Team working
• Problem solving

Special Constables are able to access the same support services as other police staff.

In the unlikely event they are injured in their policing role they are covered by Police Scotland's self-insurance policy and have access to care and support from the services listed on the Welcome page to help them recover from any physical or psychological injuries.

When they return from a call out they may have dealt with something relatively straightforward (e.g. someone a theft) or attended something potentially traumatic, like a fatal road traffic collision. It is helpful to remember this because they may return to work in different mindset to when they left an hour ago.

It is your employee’s responsibility to make sure they’re physically and mentally fit to return to their workplace and they will become adept at managing this transition. However, we recommend you talk to them about how you and they can best deal with this and then let other workmates know. They might appreciate a cuppa and a quick “You OK?”  but are unlikely to want (or be able) to discuss the incident they’ve attended. Take your lead from them.

It is normal for people to be a bit preoccupied after they’ve attended an upsetting job so don’t be surprised if they’re a bit quieter for a few days, or perhaps a week or two. You can understand more about reactions to trauma and stress on this website.

If you’re worried about them, ask how they are. It may or may not be something to do with their responder role, but they will appreciate you asking. Have a look at the advice on the Good management and Leadership page.

Police Scotland are currently working in partnership with a number of employers and work is continuing to develop links with employers and expand ESP across the Force.

To find out more information on the benefits to employers, staff, police and local communities please email volunteer coordination.