Eleven new special constables have been welcomed into Hertfordshire Constabulary in a bid to help make a difference in the community.

An Attestation Ceremony took place at Police Headquarters in Welwyn Garden City on Thursday, November 16.

Those that graduated included, Georgia Solly, who will be based at St Albans Police Station, Charlie Jones, who will based at Watford Police Station, Louis Watkins, who will be based at Borehamwood Police Station, Joshua Dyer, who will be based at Watford Police Station, and Oliver Segall and Robert Ferguson, who will be based at St Albans Police Station.

Special constabulary chief officer Mark Kendrew, said: “As the Special Constabulary Chief Officer, I was delighted to meet our new Specials Constables and I am very proud to welcome them to our dedicated team.

“Becoming a Special Constable brings with it the promise of being involved in something exciting, worthwhile and making a real difference in the local community as well as having the chance to learn new skills.

“I have no doubt they will make a significant contribution to policing in Hertfordshire.”

During eleven weeks of training, the new recruits learnt about basic law around theft, public order, assaults, traffic, powers of arrest and also stop and search.

They also used a virtual learning environment which trained them in legislation.

Each graduate went through a rigorous selection process and had to pass a final exam and practical assessments to enable them to qualify for the role of special constable.

Over the next 12 months, the new recruits will continue their training, allowing them to pass out as substantive Special Constables once they are assessed as fit for independent patrol.

Assistant chief constable Bill Jephson awarded the Specials with their certificates.

He said: “The Special Constabulary is vital in supporting us to police the county effectively and efficiently. Our new recruits will bring their life experience to us whilst further developing their skills and knowledge of policing.

“I want to wish them all well as they now move on to undertake this vital role within the communities of Hertfordshire.

“Special Constables truly are a vital part of our policing effort in Hertfordshire and I am delighted to welcome our new recruits to the Constabulary.”

Stuart Nagler, the Police and Crime Commissioner’s assistant commissioner, said: “Special Constables play a vital role in strengthening local policing teams across each of the ten districts and boroughs in Hertfordshire, helping to bring in additional resources, new skills, expertise and knowledge both to the front line and specialist units.

“As an integral part of the policing family, it is essential that the recruitment, training and retention of Specials is fully supported.

“Currently in Hertfordshire 25 organisations are offering support to their employees who become Special Constables through Employer Supported Policing (ESP) and the Police and Crime Commissioner is calling on more businesses to do the same.”