Employer supported policing
The Employer Supported Policing (ESP) is a national scheme where an organisation supports an employee in their role as a Special Constable. They do this by allowing them to undertake their Special Constable duties during their work hours without it affecting pay or other work benefits.
This could be by allowing your employee a set number of hours or days per month, or year to be a Special Constable. How ever it's managed, it is tailored to what works best for the organisation and your employee. There is no contractual commitment. Businesses and employees can opt out at any time.
What is a Special Constable?
Special Constables, are volunteer police officers. They have the same police powers, uniforms and equipment as paid police officers. But Special Constables don't get paid. They give up their free time to help people across the county.
To find out more about the role of a Special and how it works, visit our Special Constabulary page.
The benefits
There are lots of benefits employers can gain from allowing their staff time to be a Special Constable with Essex Police. Through being a Special Constable, we will teach your employee new skills and help to develop existing ones. All of these can be brought back to your work place bringing benefits to the individual and the organisation.
This includes learning and development in:
- Conflict management
- Prioritisation of demands
- Leadership skills
- Taking personal responsibility
- Crisis management
- Decision making
- Confidence and self-assurance
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
- An understanding of the law
- The delivery of objectives
- Policing Code of Ethics - How those who work or volunteer within in policing should behave.
This unique experience and level of staff development can't be bought commercially. Special Constables are widely regarded by employers as being more committed, dependable, confident and responsible members of their teams. Involvement in the scheme can also increase job satisfaction and help to retain staff.
The scheme can also help an organisation to enhance their corporate image within the community. It demonstrates their local commitment. It can also assist a business in meeting it's Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives.
If you'd like to find out more about our Employer Supported Policing scheme or if you're organisation is interested in registering, please contact our Special Constabulary team.