New special constables welcomed into force

Last night (October 28), 14 new Special Constables were officially sworn in before a magistrate, marking the start of their journey to help protect the communities of County Durham and Darlington.

The ceremony was attended by Assistant Chief Constable Richie Allen, Superintendent Steve Curran, and Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, who all welcomed the new officers into the force.

ACC Allen said: “Special Constables are an essential part of our policing family. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and jobs. As volunteer officers, they have full police powers and work alongside our regular officers and PCSOs, making a valuable impact on fighting crime and keeping our communities safe.”

The new recruits will now begin 12 weeks of training, mostly in the evenings and weekends, before joining our neighbourhood teams.