Based in a Department of Home Affairs building on Woodbourne Road, Douglas, the dedicated members of the special constabulary were spending their Saturday afternoon training in the correct procedures to entering forms.

Work like this may appear minor but is in fact part of the reason why Chief Constable Gary Roberts said the specials are ’relied’ upon by the full time constabulary.

Mr Roberts saod: ’There was a time when special constables operated on the periphery of policing.

’They helped at summer events and they carried out low level patrol work with regular officers.

’Now, we have a professional, forward-looking and hugely successful special constabulary, whose members make a daily and valuable contribution to all facets of policing.

’We rely upon them to help keep the Isle of Man the safe place that it undoubtedly is.’

He added: ’I would urge anyone who wants to give something back to the community, who wants to be given real responsibility and who wants to develop new skills to consider joining the special constabulary.

’The financial rewards might be virtually nonexistent, but the personal rewards will last a lifetime.’

Following their training, four of the recruits spoke to Sam about why they chose to join up, what they take from the role and why others should join up.

Sophie Jones, aged 25, is based with the Central Neighbourhood Police team and has been a member of the specials for about 18 months.

Sophie said: ’Initially I was interested in joining full time and I wanted to experience it and see what policing is all about.

’Now I just enjoy helping out the community.’

I asked Sophie why she thought others should join the specials.

She said: ’It is a really good way to give back to your community and to get involved with policing. If you’re interested in joining the police it’s like a try before you buy.’

Andy Culshaw,46, who is based with the Northern Community team in Ramsey, said he agreed with Sophie that the opportunity to give something back to the Manx community and supporting full time officers is very rewarding.

Andy began in 2006 as a community volunteer before joining the specials in 2011.

He was the winner of Isle of Man Newspapers’ Community Police Officer of the Year award in 2015.

He said: ’I enjoy interacting with the public in everything we do .

’Everything we do and every day is different. You don’t know what you’ll be doing from one day to the next.’

For Stephen Nathan, the island is not the first place he has been a special constable.

He previously supported the Suffolk police in the mid 90s.

Stephen said that the role of the specials has changed a lot in the intervening years.

He explained: ’Then we were picker uppers from night clubs.

’It’s very different now, we get specific tasks and we’re needed more to help with numbers and being there to help as much as possible.

’I do enjoy the excitement of the role and I personally get a lot of fulfilment from helping people and perhaps guiding some I’d hope.

’The role gives you an excellent insight into the full time job and the variety. It throws a different light on your week.’

And for Tim Downward, 25, who is based with the Central Neighbourhood team, the role is about gaining experience before applying for a full time role.

Tim said: ’You have no idea what you’ll come across because every day is different and of course giving back to the community is good.

’You meet such a variety of people and build relationships as you go along so for example the shop owners in town.’

He added: ’I plan to stay with the specials for a couple of years, get accredited and then hopefully join full time after that.’

Special Superintendent Ian Horsey said that at present, the island has 40 specials who provided a combined 8,000 hours of support last year to the police.

This has included working with in neighbourhood policing, roads policing, firearms licensing, the multi-agency public protection unit and the central alcohol unit.

Mr Horsey added: ’The role of a special constable includes providing high visibility patrols and helping to police major incidents and events.

’They also offer vital links in the community between the police service and the public.

’You will get full training to become part of a team that deals with a variety of incidents and events.’

Anyone interested in joining must be aged at least 18 and a half, either a Manx or British citizen, a citizen of the EU or other states in the EEA, or a Commonwealth citizen or foreign national with indefinite leave to remain in the Isle of Man, and able to pass the force fitness test.

Everyone that joins must be able to offer 10 hours a month to carry out duties.

Anyone interested in joining the specials is invited to attend open evenings at the Grandstand media centre. These are held on Tuesday and Thursday next week from 7pm (January 29 and 31).

Attendees will be able to follow the applicant journey from start to finish, including how to complete an application form, what happens at assessment centres, details of the training programme, what personal safety training officers receive and speak to special officers to find out exactly what it’s like.

Anyone who cannot attend but would like more information can go to www.iompolice.im or contact Ian Horsey at [email protected]