THE Devon and Cornwall Special Constabulary has attracted 39 new recruits, including two for the Torpoint area, who have volunteered to help police their communities. Katherine Arrol and William Harrison began their training after being sworn in at police headquarters in the presence of Chief Constable Maria Wallis. The boost to the ranks is the biggest single intake in recent years and is the result of an active recruitment programme for Specials in the Force. Special constables are mainly deployed to work alongside neighbourhood beat managers. There is plenty of variety with opportunities to participate in neighbourhood policing, front line operations, management, and to acquire additional skills. They are issued with the same equipment and a similar uniform as regular officers and have equal powers while on duty. The new officers will spend extra time being trained in self defence and will complete a series of formal training days to supplement on-the-job training under the direction of an experienced tutor. All should complete their probationary training in nine to 18 months. The Force's Special Constabulary Commandant Buster Brown, said: 'We are very pleased as this is the biggest single intake for two to three years. We are now being more active in our recruiting and we have had an excellent response. 'Being part of the special constabulary is extremely rewarding and these volunteers play a crucial role in forging links between the police and the public.'