Special Sergeant Hazel Jackson – Stockport Division
What made you join Greater Manchester Police as a special constable?
I took part in the Princes Trust Scheme through work and thoroughly enjoyed it. I could see the
difference it made to the youths who took part and each week I saw their confidence grow as they
learnt new skills. Towards the start one boy would not speak, after 12 weeks on the course he
stood up in front of a crowd and gave a presentation, my role throughout was a mentor. After
seeing the transformation I wanted to do more to change people’s lives and the Special
Constabulary was how I chose to achieve this.
How would you describe your role in the organisation?
I see the role of Specials to provide vital support to Regular colleagues and provide further support
to the community. On the J division we focus our attention on youths causing annoyance and other
similar situation which may not get high priority compared to other incidents but is of great
importance and concern to the person reporting the issue. I regularly carry out high visibility foot/
bike patrols in areas allowing the public to see and approach police to discuss issues of concern.
What gives you the greatest satisfaction in your role?
The most satisfaction is receiving positive feedback from members of the public when carrying out
foot patrol and knowing that they feel safe seeing police on the streets. Recently I was involved in a
licensing initiative targeting unlicensed taxis, over the course of the evening taxi drivers illegally took
my fare and are now having their licences reviewed. One male in particular made some
inappropriate sexual comments whilst transporting me and it came to light that he didn’t have a
licence and was therefore not a taxi. I get satisfaction in knowing that I have helped to prevent a
crime and stopped someone becoming a victim.
What has been the highlight in your role as a special constable so far?
In 2008 my division won the James Ormiston Cup for most duty hours carried out by Special
Constables, it was a great reward because it didn’t just go to one individual but to the whole team.
Being a Sergeant and Mentor I get great satisfaction in watching new officers develop and seeing
the confidence in their own ability grow. I have also taken part in several planned initiatives which I
really enjoy because I always learn something new from experienced Regular colleagues and love
to get involved in something different.
Do you have another job – if so, what do you do?
As well as volunteering approximately 12 hours per week to the Special Constabulary I work full
time for Her Majesty’s Courts Service.
How has the role of special constable assisted you in your other employment?
Being a Special gives me the confidence to deal with situations which otherwise I may have stood
back from, like confronting colleagues with bad news and remaining firm in my decision despite
their pleas.
What do your family and friends think about you being a special constable?
My family fully support me and love to hear about what I’ve been up to, obviously they can only
have the edited version. I am always offering crime prevention advice and advising them when
burglaries / car thefts are high in the area. I am also able to advise them as to what policing is
really like and the constraints which hinder officers.
What advice would you give to individuals wanting to join the Special Constabulary?
If you are considering joining the Specials then I would definitely recommend it, I have made so
many new friends and had opportunities to be involved in some very exciting operations. If you are
unsure whether the Specials is for you and have questions then I’d urge you to get in touch with an
existing Special to discuss it. On my division Supervision and I find time to talk to potential
candidates, they are invited them in, I talk through the role, answer questions and if they’ve
attended on the night of our team meeting I’ll invite them in to see how the team dynamics work.
Has the role of special constable fulfilled your expectations?
The role has fulfilled all of my expectations and more, I have been given the opportunity to get
involved in such a variety of different situations and each one has given me more confidence in my
own abilities.
What are your future career aspirations?
At the moment current personal circumstances will not allow me to leave my current role but in the
future I hope to apply to become a PSCO because I really enjoy the customer service side of
policing and getting involved with the community.
Additional comments / information regarding the Special Constabulary and your role: