Warwickshire Police is welcoming 14 new Special Constables into the force. The new recruits will be officially sworn in at an Attestation Ceremony on Tuesday 11th October at 7.30pm by Chief Constable John Burbeck.

As Special Constables the volunteer officers give up their free time to help police the streets and fight crime and have the same powers as the regular officers they work alongside. All the recruits have undergone a rigorous 26 week training programme and will now be posted throughout the county.

Glyn Gardner, Warwickshire Specials' Temporary Chief Officer said "Becoming a Special takes commitment and enthusiasm as well as a willingness to devote one's spare time to police work. All of the recruits being welcomed into the force have demonstrated their commitment and I have no doubt they will enjoy their careers as Special Constables."

Some see joining up as a Special as a first step to a career in the force whilst others feel they want to give something back to the community and make Warwickshire a safer place to live and work.

The new Special Constable recruits being sworn in on Tuesday are:

COLESHILL

Maria Hickey, 28, who says "I decided to become a Special because I wanted to do something positive for the community. I want to make a difference and help the regular police force to reduce crime and improve community safety. I'm also looking forward to the variety of police work in both rural and urban areas."

RUGBY

Steven Linden - sorry, we do not have a quote from Steven.

BEDWORTH

David Tanser, 36, says "It is my aim to become a regular officer for Warwickshire Police, and I felt that this would be an excellent introduction to police work. Warwickshire is a very effective local force and I am excited to be a part of it."

Jacky Evans, 44, says "I am looking forward to becoming a Special Constable and serving the community of Bedworth."

LEAMINGTON SPA

Lucynda Salvin, 25, says "I am confident I have the qualities needed to become a good Special Constable. I'm looking forward to working with the public and giving something back to the community and helping to make Warwickshire the safest place to be."

SHIPSTON

Sarah Allen, 26, says "I decided to become a Special Constable as I'm thinking about starting a career as a regular officer and I wanted to gain some experience first."

KENILWORTH

Caroline Freeman, 27, says "I've always been interested in police work and I believe that working as a Special Constable will be a challenging and rewarding way to spend my free time."

Rebecca Bailey, 21, says "I'm thinking about joining the force as a regular officer and I wanted to experience life as a Special Constable before joining up. I'm looking forward to the variety and the challenge of working as a Special and of helping to uphold the law and protect people."

Chris Martin - sorry, we do not have a quote for Chris.

NUNEATON

Darshak Kacha, 19, says "I wanted to do something really worthwhile with my time, and also set a good example to people I know. I want to help make Nuneaton a safer place in which to live and work."

Tom Simpson, 21, says "I'm very much looking forward to the challenge of joining Warwickshire Police as a Special Constable and I'm sure it will broaden my horizons and equip me with many useful skills."

WARWICK

Natalie Bufton, 34, says "It has been my life long ambition to become a police officer. Joining as a Special Constable will give me the opportunity to gain valuable experience as I work towards becoming a regular officer."

Joshua Preston Wells, 21, says "I'm intending to join the force as a regular and I felt that becoming a special would give me a good insight into life as a police officer. It is also very important to me to be doing something worthwhile, and protecting the public and keeping the streets safe is something I feel strongly about."

There is one other officer posted to Warwick who did not give consent for us to publish her details.