Special Constable Ezequiel Gomez Balaguer

Meet Special Constable Ezekial Gomez Balaguer

Ezequiel joined North Yorkshire Police as a Special Constable in 2021. He completed his training in September 2021. He is based in York.

Several years ago, I read Nigel Mansell’s autobiography and learnt he had been a ‘Special Constable’, a term that was entirely new to me. Having grown up in Argentina where there was no such concept, I found it fascinating that ordinary citizens could contribute their time to the police service in uniform and in the same capacity as full-time officers.

In my ‘day job’ I’m a software consultant which I’ve done for around 15 years now so I joined with an expectation to learn a whole new set of skills, contribute some from my day job, and assist both communities and NYP in times of high demand.

Since then, I’ve enjoyed my time as a Special so much that some of my regular colleagues like to joke that I’m in more often than they are. Every shift is a school day. I not only learn about issues in the community and how to handle different types of jobs, from domestic violence to RTCs - I also learn to push my own boundaries and grow my skills and confidence in situations that previously could have felt petrifying.

This is all enabled by my amazing colleagues who are always there for support and who always appreciate Specials coming in to help. I work on response and have been ‘adopted’ by a team of incredible individuals, I’m always learning and they help me every step of the way.

I try to fit in working as a Special in the evenings or on night shifts at the weekend. I’ve learnt to be good at catching up on sleep and my family are really supportive.

I think my wife thinks I’m a little crazy for being a Special but her grandad and great uncle were both in the police so she understands why I do it and the dedication it needs.

It’s not an easy job and you have to learn quickly but there are so many moments which make it worthwhile.

Earlier this year my Inspector called me into his office to thank me for my part in dealing with a particularly tricky incident. He explained just how much I was part of the team and this was a really special moment for me.

If you’re thinking of joining as a Special, I’d say just do it! If you’ve given it some serious thought and it’s only doubts that are holding you back then put them to one side and give it a go.

NYP is truly a family which I’m immensely proud to be part of.