Special Constables are warranted officers retained within British constabularies. Wearing similar uniforms, carrying the same personal protective equipment and holding identical powers to
enforce the criminal law, Special Constables are to all intents and purposes indistinguishable from their colleagues in the regular police service. However, very little is documented about
the experiences and motivations of Special Constables, the roles they play in contemporary policing or the impact that they have on the police organization.
This book draws together academics and practitioners to provide a valuable insight into historical, international and contemporary themes pertinent to the historical development and
contemporary operation of the Special Constabulary. It critically considers the origins of the Special Constabulary and the political, social and economic factors which led to its evolution
over time; compares and contrasts its organisation, functions and status with those of auxiliary forces around the world; and contributes to theoretical understanding of contemporary
policing, to debates about the roles and operation of the ’mixed economy’ of provision and inform policy and practice in the UK and beyond.
