History of Specials
The Specials plays an integral part of everyday modern policing across the
nation. Yet its origins are perhaps more established and ancient than most
people would expect. The office of Special Constable dates back to the days
of Edward I who, in 1285, established the Statute of Winchester. This brought
into being Justices of the Peace and the unpaid office of constable. Before
this every man was responsible for ensuring that he and others kept the
peace. The state of having untrained and unpaid volunteers acting as
constables to enforce the law lasted until shortly after the formation of the first
regular police force in 1829.
The 1830s saw major riots in the country over the passage of the Reform Bill.
A Special Constables Act was passed by Parliament in 1831. This gave
Justices responsible for an area, where "Tumult, Felony or Riot" had occurred
or was likely to occur, the power to appoint Special Constables to deal with
"riots and tumultuous behaviour". This arrangement lasted until 1964, when
the Police Act allowed for Specials to be attached to regular Forces, when
they were to be subject to the direction and control of the Chief Constable.
Since then Specials have contributed to the everyday role of policing across
the land and now make up about 25% of every Force in England and Wales.
As history reflects - the Specials are more important to policing today than at
any time over many hundreds of years.
Little is known about Warwickshire's activities until the 1914-18 war. During
these years many specials were recruited and gave valuable assistance to the
depleted regular force. The Special Constabulary reached its peak during the
1939-45 war. It then became a fully uniformed, equipped and trained body of
police officers and gave invaluable assistance to the regular force, which
would have found it very difficult to have managed without them. Their
efficiency reached such a pitch that on a number of occasions they were able
to take over completely the policing of a division without the assistance of the
regulars. At the outbreak of the last war an auxiliary force known as the
"Police War Reserve" was formed to supplement the regular force.
Many of its members had previously been Special Constables. They were
paid and performed full time duty alongside the Regulars. The "Police War
Reserve" gave invaluable service and was not disbanded until after the
cessation of hostilities.