Description
Spend a shift with London's Special Constables and discover what frontline policing looks like from the perspective of volunteer police officers.
Interested in becoming a Special Constable Volunteer officer? Apply here today!: https://www.met.police.uk/police-forces/metropolitan-police/areas/c/careers/police-volunteer-roles/special-constable/apply-now/
In this episode of On Response, we join Gary, Barnaby and Joanna as they patrol across South London, responding to real incidents and supporting their local communities alongside their day-to-day careers.
🚨 Throughout the shift, officers respond to:
- Reports of a suspected burglary that quickly develops into a drugs investigation.
- A lengthy custody process following multiple arrests.
- Reports of anti-social behaviour and public disputes.
- A shoplifting incident and area search for suspects.
- A member of the public reporting an attempted phone snatch by a moped rider.
Timestamps:
00:00-00:25 Introduction
00:25:-02:10 Officers' intros
02:10-04:17 First incident of suspected burglary
04:17-04:40 Running in convoy explanation
04:40-06:02 Tower Bridge incident
06:02-10:44 Conversation on why officers volunteered
10:44-11:46 Sainsbury's theft incident
11:46-12:31 Moped phone snatcher incident
12:31-13:52 Outro
Along the way, the team explain what it really means to be a Special Constable, the challenges of balancing volunteering with work, and why they continue to dedicate their time to policing London's communities.
This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of response policing, from emergency calls and arrests to community engagement, problem solving and safeguarding vulnerable people.
What is a Special Constable?
Special Constables are volunteer police officers who hold the same powers as regular officers, wear the same uniform and respond to many of the same incidents, all while giving up their own time to serve their communities.
🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of On Response as we follow officers from across the Metropolitan Police and explore the realities of frontline policing in London.