SPECIAL Police Constables who complete a set number of shifts this winter will be eligible to get paid an allowance for the first time.

Devon and Cornwall Police is carrying out the pilot project through December and January for the 134 specials that work in the force as volunteer officers with full police powers.

Police Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez says that the scheme will help the force strengthen its response to the coronavirus pandemic, and that it is also looking ahead to resourcing the summer spike in population in the region. Both she and Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer would like to see a change in legislation which would enable police forces to use Specials as a paid reserve – much like the Army or Navy reserve. But the trade union UNISON has described the move as “policing on the cheap”, calling it an “act of desperation at a time when the number of paid PCSOs across Devon and Cornwall is being reduced to save money”.

Until earlier this year, Special Constables could only apply for expenses incurred while carrying out their duties.

Now, under the pilot being run by Devon and Cornwall Police, Specials who perform eight, eight-hour shifts in December and January will be eligible to apply for the allowance of £750.

Special Constables will remain classified as volunteers under the scheme.

“We have a unique set of challenges in Devon and Cornwall, with a large remote force area which sees its population swell in the summer months,” Commissioner Hernandez said.

“Volunteers are a huge asset to our communities in helping us maintain Devon and Cornwall as one of the safest force areas in the country. This is about recognising some of the barriers to service that the Special Constabulary face and perhaps making it more attractive to those who have considered joining but who may not be in a financial position to be able to give that time for no reward.

“In the South West, reserved firefighters and reserve soldiers are ready to step up in a time of need and provide a skilled and flexible workforce. That is what I would like to help create in policing to help us deal with a surge in summer demand.”

But UNISON says that paying specials to do work previously done by PCSOs breaches a long-standing agreement with police forces in England and Wales not to use volunteers to replace salaried police staff – and it says this may even be unlawful.

The Devon and Cornwall force is currently in the process of reducing the number of PCSOs from 300 in 2019 to 150 by March 2021, says the union.

UNISON South West regional officer Fiona Bentley said: “Paying volunteers to fill the gaps left by departing PCSOs is a short-term, short-sighted move that ignores the real problem of poor government funding for the police.

“With the government failing to provide the money to protect police numbers, the force may be left with no option but to cut staff, denying local residents the services they both need and deserve.”

A note of caution has also come from the chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Police Federation Andy Berry.

He said that paying Specials was an “interesting experiment which has essentially been developed on the hoof”.

The scheme would need careful analysis, he said, to ensure that it is “effective, value for money and doesn’t bring unintended consequences”.

Mr Berry said: “I am a massive supporter of the Special Constabulary, but we need to ensure that the long-standing relationship of the Specials supporting my members but not replacing them remains.

“At a time when our colleagues are under significant pressure, I’m glad that the PCC is being imaginative on how she might support exhausted officers across the force.

“Specials are in my view brilliant individuals giving up their free time to help keep their communities safe – but they are not fully qualified police officers and don’t have the benefit of the extensive training which officers get.”

Shaun Sawyer, Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, has defended the concept. He said: “This is a moment during a pandemic when we have reflected and considered how our policing services are delivered. The role of volunteers is pivotal to policing within the peninsula and without it, many of our frontline services would not be as effective.

“The Special Constabulary are unique in having all of the powers of sworn full-time officers and the responsibilities that go with it, whilst also providing their services as volunteers.

“I therefore believe this is the moment to explore the concept of enhanced allowance to Special Constables when we ask them to perform set shifts, prescribed hours and for a focused operational purpose.”

Marc Kastner, Chief Officer, Special Constabulary, said: “It is great news that the Police and Crime Commissioner has acknowledged the remarkable work through the development of the enhanced allowance scheme to volunteer police officers who have been supporting their paid police colleagues since the coronavirus outbreak.

“The COVID-19 cars being operated by Special Constables within Devon and Cornwall will help local communities stay safe, particularly over the winter period.”

The project will be one of those funded by £60m paid by the Home Office to police forces to help them meet the cost of policing coronavirus regulations.