Tyar byar tyar Khalsa ~ Metropolitan Police Special Constable, Raj Birk

Mother of four Raj Birk is a special constable in the borough of Redbridge. She fits volunteering for the Metropolitan Police Service around her family life and a full-time job as an intelligence researcher.

How do you fit volunteering around your day job? I do my shifts as a special constable during evenings and weekends. The Metropolitan Police Service is flexible and will let you choose shifts according to your commitments. You only need to commit 16 hours a month, however, you can do more if you like.

What’s a typical day for a special constable? You can’t predict one day to the next. You’re assigned your duty at the start of each shift. Every day is different, that’s what makes being a special constable so challenging and exciting.

What qualities does a special constable need? Most important is the ability to listen and communicate. When you’re dealing with vulnerable people, it’s vital you can listen. You also need good decision-making and problem-solving skills, and you must be able to work as a team.

What backgrounds do special constables come from? All kinds. You don’t need any experience as you get full training when you join. You could be a housewife, a chef, whatever.

What are the rewards? One of the most satisfying parts of being a special constable is earning people’s trust. When people see the police uniform they know they can come and talk to you, and when you can help them and put a smile on their faces, that’s really rewarding. Sometimes I’ll be on patrol and someone will tap me on the back and say: ‘Well done’. People admire what we do and I love getting such a positive reaction from the community. My kids are really proud of me too. Every day there’s a new challenge as a special constable so I honestly finish each shift looking forward to the next. You’re always learning from the challenges you face, bettering yourself and making a real difference in your community. You’ve got to try it yourself.

Volunteers' Week, which runs until June 7, celebrates the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make to society. Among them are Metropolitan Police Specials like Raj Birk, who tells Niki Chesworth why she gives her time to give something back

Wearing her turban and an almost permanent smile, Raj has become a well-known face in Redbridge, where she is part of the community.
"I speak four languages, which means I can help people who find it hard to communicate and it automatically reassures them," says Raj. "If I start speaking in Punjabi, for example, I can see them relax immediately. They find it really reassuring."

Raj, who has been working for the Met for the past 17 years and is currently an intelligence researcher, is allowed to use 16 hours during her working month to volunteer as a Special but says the hours are something that anyone can fit round work, families, friends and holidays . even if, like her, they have four children. "The only thing I regret is that I didn't do it sooner," adds Raj. "I volunteered because I wanted to give something back, but I have also gained so much too. Being a Special is teaching me a lot of valuable life skills, it is making me more confident and it teaches you to think outside the box. Working nine-to- five or eight-to-four becomes a routine, but when I am a Special every day is different."

Being a Metropolitan Special Constable gives volunteers the same powers and uniform as a regular police officer. All that is required is giving up at least 16 hours of their spare time a month to do something positive for themselves and the community. Special constables are involved in all aspects of policing London, which means they can be called on to help safeguard public safety and security at local or major events, to serve warrants and also to assist in the event of accidents, fights and fires.
So doesn't Raj ever fear for her safety?

"I have never felt vulnerable once," she says. "Putting on the uniform gives you a sense of security but I don't ever feel threatened. The uniform is what you are representing, but the fact that you look welcoming and are not intimidating means that you get a good response. That is why Specials are so important . we often come from the community and so we can provide a vital link with local people."
Having the same powers as regular police officers is a major responsibility, which is why Specials undergo thorough training in the many aspects of police work that they will carry out. This extensive training provides the basic skills and tools to work in each Special's chosen area, such as powers of arrest, preparing evidence for court and dealing with challenging situations. In addition to the foundation training, Specials receive further mandatory training sessions for 18 months and undergo 60 hours of "coached" patrol.

While Specials do not receive any financial rewards for their time, they do benefit from free travel on London's tubes, buses, DLR,

Croydon Tramlink and TFL-operated London Overground services, both on and off duty.

In return they can expect to enjoy a variety of police work, experiencing new and different challenges and working as part of a close-knit team.

Specials also develop transferable skills such as problem solving, negotiating, decision making, team working, communication skills and coping under pressure. It usually ensures that they benefit from their time as a special constable as much as the community they serve. In fact Raj has been so positive since she first volunteered as a special constable last autumn, that she has inspired her eldest daughter to become one, too.

My daughter, Jaspreet, is in her final year at university and is putting her language skills . Spanish, French, English, Hindi and Punjabi . to good use volunteering as a special in Westminster where there are so many tourists,h says proud mum Raj.
"When you first volunteer it is to give something back but once you've gone out once, you won't be able to give it up . it really is the most rewarding thing I have ever done."
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