Volunteer officers to be paid in recognition of efforts during coronavirus crisis
Volunteer police officers who have played a vital role in helping the region's force cope with the coronavirus crisis will be paid in recognition of their efforts.
West Midlands Police's special constables will be paid at least the equivalent of the real living wage, which is £9.30 an hour, after carrying out 16 hours of volunteering.
The force is one of the first in the UK to recognise its volunteer officers in this way.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson said he had been heartened by the selfless efforts of the specials, some of whom have filled in for officers off sick or self-isolating. Mr Jamieson said some had also lost their jobs as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
He said: "We have progressed this area and are set to be one of the first forces to the country to recognise the work of our volunteers special constables with a payment, especially as many of them have lost their jobs and have been backfilling their self-isolating full time colleagues.
"After 16 hours of volunteering I payments will he made at the equivalent of at least the real living wage. West Midlands Police will shortly be presenting me with a formal decision to approve in the coming days."
