Council staff are being supported to volunteer with Essex Police as part of a new partnership.

Tendring District Council (TDC) is working with the force to support those who volunteer as Special Constables through the national Employer Supported Policing scheme.

Special Constables are volunteers who want to give something back to their local communities, making them safer places to live and work. They are fully warranted police officers with full police powers, the same uniform, equipment and responsibilities.

Run by the Home Office the Employer Supported Policing scheme encourages employers to provide paid time off for Specials to volunteer.

TDC has recently adopted a new Employee Volunteer and Public Duties Policy, under which Special Constables employed by the authority can have a further 10 days’ paid leave for policing activities.

Gina Placey, TDC Cabinet Member for Partnerships, said this new arrangement allowed staff to support their local community in another way.

“Our council motto is ‘For the Good of All’, something that we strive for in everything that we do; this policy allows us to continue that good work as a volunteer too,” Councillor Placey said.

“As well as supporting Tendring residents, this also gives our staff who volunteer an extra sense of achievement and satisfaction, and allows them to gain new and transferable skills.”

Les Hawkins, Specials Supported Policing Coordinator at Essex Police added what a positive partnership with TDC this is.

“This partnership supports Special Constables to continue the excellent work they do in local communities,” Mr Hawkins said.

“In particular it allows Special Constables to develop even stronger ties with those communities that they serve, both in their day job and while on the beat.”

To find out more about becoming a Special Constable visit https://www.essex.police.uk/