Gwent Police’s longest-serving special constable is celebrating 44 years in service.

Divisional officer Roger Smith, 63, from Newport, was the first special in Wales to drive a car with blue flashing lights and received an MBE in 1996 for services to the police as a special.

Specials have the same powers as regular police officers and can arrest, take statements, prepare evidence for court and deal with common crimes.

Mr Smith was a teenager when he first became a special, but didn't expect to still be in the role four decades later.

“I was 19 when saw an advert in the Argus in recruiting new specials and thought it sounded interesting as it was a locally-based role and you could see your work making a difference in the community you lived in," he said.

“I applied and about six weeks later had been given a number, there was no training in those days like there is today.”

During his time as a special in Caldicot and Newport, Mr Smith has also worked at a power station, run his own bus company and now works in Gwent Police’s control room.

“It was nice to be involved in what was happening with the police, but it was also nice to run my own business,” he said.

Mr Smith urged others to get involved in the police by becoming a special.

“You don’t have to take the role to the lengths I have, you are only asked to give up four hours of your time a week, but I believe the more people that get involved the bigger difference we, as community members, can make.”

He is hoping to serve another two years before retiring.

Could you be a Special?

This Friday marks the start of National Special Constabulary Week and Gwent Police are looking for new recruits.

  • Specials work alongside regular police officers to carry out a number of activities including road safety initiatives, house to house enquiries, foot patrols, policing major events, presenting evidence in court and offering crime prevention advice.
  • Specials must be over 18 and under 55 to join and can chose to work in your their neighbourhood or elsewhere for around four hours a week.
  • A reasonable level of fitness is expected to complete safety training.
  • The role is unpaid but equips people with life skills, which can brought into a specials’ regular work and enhance a CV.
  • Training consists of 10 evening classes and two weekend sessions.
  • There are currently 200 specials in Gwent Police and 15 in training.
  • If you are interested in becoming a Special, call 01495 745370 for more information and an application pack or visit www.gwent.police.uk

Working with the community

These members of Gwent Police have been nominated for this year's Jane Police Review Gala Awards, which recognise excellence in police forces throughout the UK.

  • PC Tracey Bowen-Quirk, who is stationed in Abergavenny, as Community Police Officer of the Year.

She has softened anti-police views among young people through high visibility patrols and made regular visits to local schools.

  • The Learning and Development Community Engagement Team, for the Diversity in Action Award.

The team works with 100 community volunteers to help with role-plays and training exercises for student officers.

  • Darren Grady, based in Abergavenny, for the Community Support Officer of the Year Award. He has a sense of duty which does not stop outside working hours, and once stopped an erratic driver who turned out to be three times over the drink driving limit.
  • PC Derek Kitcher, for the Student Officer of the Year Award, stationed in Monmouth.

While on desk duty because of injury, he received a call from a man threatening to jump off the bridge into the River Wye. PC Kitcher used a computer mapping system to confirm the man's location and got a negotiator to the scene, who persuaded the man not to jump.