What happens if a Special Constable gets sued?
Unfortunately it’s true to say that we are living in an increasingly litigious society where people seem to go to law over the most seemingly trivial incidents. And while I don’t have any official figures, it seems to me that complaints against the police are on the rise. Having said that, I cannot think of any occasion where a Special has been sued for something they did on duty. The Police Federation, the Police “union” representing the rights of regular police officers in the UK has historically been against Specials. More recently, however, their stance has softened considerably, and it seems as though Specials will in due course be admitted. But for the time being, while the Fed may support and defend regular officers if they are sued, it won’t as a rule assist Specials beyond general advice. In the absence of the Fed’s protection, the Home Office has put together a legal insurance scheme for Specials. It provides cover to Specials for incidents arising on duty only, in the areas
