Latest news with #SpecialConstabulary
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bury voluntary police officers complete gruelling challenge for close cause
A team of volunteer Bury police officers have completed a hike in aid of a valuable cause. Moshe Rothstein, Leah Cassidy, Lee Beveridge and Louisa Hargreaves, who give up their time to work for Greater Manchester Police's Special Constabulary, carried out The Great Cloud Walker Challenge in the Peak District on Sunday, April 27. They were part of a group of around 70 people who took on the event in The Roaches near Leek in Staffordshire. The challenge involved a 2km canoe in Tittesworth Reservoir, a 18km hike in the rolling hills of the Peak District and a 100ft abseil. The Bury officers completed their challenge in support of The Friendship Circle, which is based in Salford. The charity 'enriches the lives of Jewish children and adults with physical and learning disabilities through fully integrated social and recreational experiences'. More than £1,200 has been amassed by the team via a JustGiving crowdfunding page. From left: Lee Beveridge, Louisa Hargreaves, Leah Cassidy and Moshe Rothstein (Image: Supplied) From left: Lee Beveridge, Louisa Hargreaves, Leah Cassidy and Moshe Rothstein (Image: Supplied)READ NEXT > The heart-warming reason why 'amazing' colleagues completed Sahara Desert trek READ NEXT > Bury to commemorate 80th anniversary of VE Day with service Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to the Bury Times morning newsletter as well as our breaking news alerts Moshe, who serves as an inspector for the Special Constabulary in Bury, said: 'It was a great day out and we have done a really good thing through the challenge. 'As a Specials officer, it's not just about policing through arrests, it's about community policing and the seeds we have put in place while we have been out on patrol getting to know the charity and its members. 'My legs have been hurting after the event but it was worth it, it's a good charity that we have supported.'
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Special Supt retires after 41 years with police
A Special Supt who joined the police after making a citizen's arrest during a night out is retiring as a volunteer after 41 years. Back in 1983, Howard Rayner's potential was spotted by the attending PC who suggested he joined the Special Constabulary in Essex. Since then, the 68-year-old's "exceptional public service" in Chelmsford and Braintree has seen him receive a British Empire Medal in 2019, among other accolades, the force said. Looking back on the incident that sparked it all, he said: "Somebody rather drunk decided to kick a shop window in, right in front of me, so I grabbed him, made a citizen's arrest, and it led from there." "Back when I joined, the Specials were referred to as the 'Hobby Bobby', but we've moved on from that now with the professionalism and the training we get," he told BBC Essex. "It's been challenging, with lots of different opportunities that you would not have as a civilian, or even as a full-time officer. "I'll miss the camaraderie and friendship, but I'll still see many of my former colleagues." Supt Rayner juggled policing with his full-time job as the managing director of Anglia Tile Centre in Colchester, which he is not retiring from. He served under seven chief constables and was responsible for more than 60 officers, and became and remained friends with the officer who spotted his skills. "It's time to allow other people to step up as we have some enthusiastic younger officers who are ready to progress," he said. He added that society had "changed dramatically" over the course of his policing career, with the advances in technology the most noticeable difference. "I'll miss it and not having a warrant card in my pocket will take a bit of getting used to, but I've got five grandchildren with another on the way." Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington paid tribute to Howard's service. "To commit more than 40 years to helping people and keeping the county safe, while balancing his business and family responsibilities, is extraordinary," he said. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Police chief 'may have to cut 200 officers' Special constables to get tax breaks for 'keeping city safe' Essex Police
BBC News
19-03-2025
- BBC News
Special Supt retires after 41 years with Essex Police
A Special Supt who joined the police after making a citizen's arrest during a night out is retiring as a volunteer after 41 in 1983, Howard Rayner's potential was spotted by the attending PC who suggested he joined the Special Constabulary in Essex. Since then, the 68-year-old's "exceptional public service" in Chelmsford and Braintree has seen him receive a British Empire Medal in 2019, among other accolades, the force said. Looking back on the incident that sparked it all, he said: "Somebody rather drunk decided to kick a shop window in, right in front of me, so I grabbed him, made a citizen's arrest, and it led from there." "Back when I joined, the Specials were referred to as the 'Hobby Bobby', but we've moved on from that now with the professionalism and the training we get," he told BBC Essex."It's been challenging, with lots of different opportunities that you would not have as a civilian, or even as a full-time officer."I'll miss the camaraderie and friendship, but I'll still see many of my former colleagues."Supt Rayner juggled policing with his full-time job as the managing director of Anglia Tile Centre in Colchester, which he is not retiring served under seven chief constables and was responsible for more than 60 officers, and became and remained friends with the officer who spotted his skills. "It's time to allow other people to step up as we have some enthusiastic younger officers who are ready to progress," he added that society had "changed dramatically" over the course of his policing career, with the advances in technology the most noticeable difference."I'll miss it and not having a warrant card in my pocket will take a bit of getting used to, but I've got five grandchildren with another on the way."Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington paid tribute to Howard's service."To commit more than 40 years to helping people and keeping the county safe, while balancing his business and family responsibilities, is extraordinary," he said. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
