A police chief has paid tribute to the incredible efforts of special constables who give up their own time to help others by working with North Yorkshire Police.

Volunteer police officers were out on force in the line of duty the week before last which was National Special Constabulary Week.

The force had 86 volunteer officers, known as ‘Specials’, out and about, giving up almost 1,200 hours of their own time to support stretched regular colleagues in a week packed with events and action.

The events attended included the Skipton Gala on Saturday and the General Election, as well as events in York and Knaresborough.

Poignantly, the week coincided with the 25th anniversary of the murder of Special Constable Glenn Goodman in Tadcaster on June 7 1992.

Coordinator Special Chief Officer Sharon Moverley-Holmeis described the volunteer network as “going beyond what is asked of them and providing massive support to their regular colleagues” praising too the “real outpouring of gratitude and love from members of the public”.

She said Special Constables are drawn from all walks of life in a scheme aimed at bringing a diversity of skills and experience to modern day policing. Having the same powers and uniform as regular officers, the volunteers are required to give at least 16 hours a month to their duties, which can involve everything from incident support to antisocial behaviour patrols.

The force is planning another recruitment drive next month.

More information about the Special Constables, including how to get involved, can be found by visiting

northyorkshire.police.uk/specials.