Special thanks for volunteer police officers

Special constables in the Borders have been volunteering more of their time to the police during the coronavirus pandemic.
Special constable Ali Cameron.Special constable Ali Cameron.
Special constable Ali Cameron.

Special constable Ali Cameron is among those putting in extra hours, and thanks to his full-time profession as a microbiologist, he has been able to advise on health and safety.

He said: “It has been fantastic to see how the local community has mobilised to support our NHS colleagues over the past couple of weeks.

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“The public have been enormously supportive of our work and understanding of why now, more than ever, it is important to stay home and stay safe.”

A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “Following an appeal to special constables and their employers to support Police Scotland in its effort, we would like to sincerely thank all those who have pledged their time so far at this critical period.

A quarter of all of Scotland’s special constables immediately made contact to offer their support and increase their commitment, substantially in many cases, while more than 40 employers have granted their employees leave in order to perform their specials role.

“Over the past three weeks, around 140 specials across more than 885 shifts have volunteered more than 7,500 hours.

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“The volunteer co-ordination unit was also contacted by a number of specials offering to live away from home so that they can provide full-time commitment to their role.

“In addition, a number of special constables who have not volunteered in recent months have also sought urgent re-training so that they can be deployed, while some specials who are already keyworkers in their full-time profession have still offered to work additional hours.”