Special constables thanked for delivering almost 52 thousand volunteering hours
Special constables from across the country were thanked for contributing 51,915 volunteering hours at a conference at Police Scotland headquarters, Tulliallan on Saturday, 9 May 2026.
The two-day annual conference focused on practical policing scenarios, a major crime case study and input from keynote speakers including Dr Kirsty Gillings, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead for Personality Disorder with NHS Tayside.
The annual summit is designed to offer professional development opportunities for all of Police Scotland’s special constables from across the Scottish policing landscape. It was formally opened by Assistant Chief Constable Wendy Middleton.
ACC Middleton said: “Special constables are valued members of the policing family and I thank them for stepping forward to help improve the safety and wellbeing of our communities.
“This conference is an important opportunity to recognise and reflect on the significant contribution our volunteers make to service delivery.
“Collectively, they have delivered a total of 51,915 volunteering hours during 2025-2026 in support of frontline policing, major events, roads policing, preventative activity and community based operations."
The Chief Constable has been consistently clear on her commitment to support our special constables - perhaps in more specialist areas of business, as a route into policing and for those who are community-minded who want to work alongside us and do the best for their local communities.
This year's conference was opened by special constable Jamie Allan of the Association of Special Constabulary Officers. It was also the first time Police Scotland's youth volunteers took part by contributing to practical scenarios, providing a different dynamic to policing situations for the volunteer officers to work through.
Two recruitment events also took place throughout the conference, offering insight into the role of a police officer and special constable.
Police Scotland is recruiting. If you are ready for a job like no other, come along to the next drop-in event on Tuesday, 19 May at Jackton Recruitment and Training Centre, Eaglesham Road, East Kilbride between 5:30pm – 8:30pm.
Try the mock fitness bleep test, meet the vetting team, step into the shoes of a police officer through the virtual reality headset and chat with probationers to hear about their journey so far.
Drop-in and online recruitment events take place throughout the year. Register your interest on the recruitment pages of the Police Scotland website or email: RecruitmentPoliceOfficer@scotland.police.uk