Special Commandant Darren Cubberly

Do you have to be ‘special’ to become a Special? This is the question that I asked myself back in 1996 (I’m not that old, really I’m not) writes West Mercia Police’s Divisional Commandant for the Special Constabulary in Telford, Darren Cubberly.

One thing that I knew I definitely wanted to do was to give something back to the community, and to make my community a better place for my kids to grow up in.

So that was it – I made a decision! The application forms were filled in and sent off and before I knew it I was invited for my interview. Although very nerve-racking, I kept my cool and answered all the questions I was asked and before I knew it I was off for training.

At the time I was worried about the training, but I soon realised that there was a dedicated team to help me through and all the resources I needed to become fully trained as a Special Constable. This soon put me at ease.

By the end of my training I was pleasantly surprised with how much I managed to get out of the course. I met a great group of people that I managed to stay in touch with and, if I needed any help, they were all there for me to ask questions – almost like a support network (although made slightly more difficult pre-dating Facebook and Twitter).

I soon reported to Malinsgate Police Station – a little nervous, but just about ready to go, I think.

I was in uniform, which consisted of black trousers with a large pocket in one leg – this was to be filled with the wooden truncheon I was soon assigned – and I was also given a blue shirt, black tie and blue army style jumper…

I was shown round the ‘nick’ and then into a briefing room ready to be crewed up. The duty sergeant came in with a number of other officers and I was crewed up with an officer and away we went.

We went to a number of jobs in various areas of Telford, dealing with numerous people. Although there were no arrests at this stage it was still exciting, my heart was pounding most of the time … and then, before I knew it, hours had passed and it was time for a quick break.

No, not doughnuts or a take away, it was back to the nick for a cuppa and a quick sandwich. I was gasping for a drink and was just about to take a sip when … no chance, a call came in over the radio that assistance was required so off we went. I sometimes imagine that my cuppa is still sat there today, a little cold by now.

Being a Special is a challenging role but a rewarding one. You are only required to work four hours a week, but ,as I’ve found, not many shifts are four hours long. Many of them go from 7pm to 2am and many Specials work far more than four hours a week.

The important thing is that when we’re on duty we are on hand to assist the full time officers, provide reassurance to local residents and also do what we can to ensure that the people we encounter are behaving appropriately.

Specials come from all walks of life; we have accountants, lorry drivers, engineers, bus drivers, students, and self employed people – people from all types of backgrounds. They are all people who want to do a little something for their community, which results in a massive positive for the place that they live in.

A lot has changed since I started – the uniform has changed a lot, the truncheon trousers have gone for starters! We now have what you could call a utility belt, with various things on it as well as a ballistic/stab vest. Gone are the blue shirts and the blue army style jumpers too.

Since I joined I have been promoted through the ranks and I am now a Divisional Commandant, looking after all the specials in Telford & Wrekin. However, even though I’ve been promoted, it is still rewarding to know that you are able to put something back into your local community every single week…

People often ask why do I do it?

There is no simple answer to that, but I do find that it’s when you’ve actually been put on duty and helped people in their time of need that you really realise why people volunteer to do this week in and week out.

I’ve found that being a Special is very rewarding, interesting and that no two weeks are the same. Most importantly, though, I enjoy making a difference and will continue to do so for as long as I possibly can.

If you would like to know more about becoming a Special Constable, then please visit the West Mercia Police website at www.westmercia.police.uk/specials/ and see what you can become involved in.