Bridging the Gap? Police Volunteering and Community Policing in Scotland

Graeme Dickson

doi:10.1093/police/paz070

Abstract

Abstract This article examines how far special constables can act as the ‘bridge’ between police services and local communities, within the context of Scottish policing. I consider the literature around the core concepts of community policing, the condition of community policing Scotland, and the role that volunteer police officers can play in enhancing local policing. Then, I draw upon the findings from qualitative interviews and observations of special constables in one division of Police Scotland, to explore the nature of the special constabulary as a potential resource in community and local policing. Finally, I consider these findings in relation to the ongoing discussions of special constables’ contribution to community policing, and how policing organizations might seek to enhance that contribution. This article, I believe, provides a unique contribution to the currently small but emerging field of research within police volunteerism, and brings the perspective of Scottish special constables to these discussions which have been primarily Anglo-centric.

Highlights

The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 saw Scotland’s eight police services amalgamated into one central organization, Police Scotland, justified on the basis of improving distribution of policing resources, reducing costs in times of austerity, and maintaining officer numbers (Fyfe and Scott, 2013; Terpstra and Fyfe, 2014)
I consider the literature around the core concepts of community policing, the condition of community policing Scotland, and the role that volunteer police officers can play in enhancing local policing
I draw upon the findings from qualitative interviews and observations of special constables in one division of Police Scotland, to explore the nature of the special constabulary as a potential resource in community and local policing

Summary

Introduction

The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 saw Scotland’s eight police services amalgamated into one central organization, Police Scotland, justified on the basis of improving distribution of policing resources, reducing costs in times of austerity, and maintaining officer numbers (Fyfe and Scott, 2013; Terpstra and Fyfe, 2014). These reforms saw the removal and redistribution of local policing resources, resulting in the new organization becoming ‘more at a distance, more impersonal and formal.

Dickson

Discussion and conclusion