Special Sergeant Nadine Slattery

Nadine Slattery​ was 21-years-old when she started training as a Special Constable in 2010.

As a full-time, single working mum ​of two young children, ​finding a suitable balance can be ​challenging. I am very fortunate to ​have a strong support network at ​home who enable me to manage​ my responsibilities well. However, ​after the initial training phase being a Special Constable allows you to be flexible and complete operational duties to suit yourself – whether that be weekends, days or evenings. With an expectation of 16 hours a month to commit to this role I have found that it can be achievable across two shifts a month.

Why haven’t you or aren’t you applying to be a full-time paid Police Officer instead of being a volunteer Special Constable?​

I joined the Special Constabulary to gain policing experience, with a view to joining full-time, but a national recruitment freeze put a hold on that, so I have been a Special Constable for longer than I originally anticipated. However, during that time I have grown to love the team I work with, and enjoy the variety being a voluntary police officer brings. Then, as life progressed and I became a mum, being a Special Constable suited my lifestyle more. Now, many years on, I am still here. I have a successful professional career and I have no regrets about dedicating my time to the Special Constabulary.

What is your main role as Special Constable on a day-to-day basis?​

On 1st August 2017 I was promoted to be a Specials Sergeant. This promotion has not changed my operational policing responsibilities but has enhanced my role to include line management of Special Constables.

My role as a Specials Sergeant is not the same as a Police Sergeant when it comes to operational policing, but is when it ​comes to line management and welfare of staff. I ​attend regular supervisors meetings, hold local team ​meetings, coordinate events and operations, both ​planned and urgent requests for assistance, manage ​performance and handle individual welfare issues. ​The force supports my professional leadership ​development by provide bespoke line management ​training which is very valuable.   The leadership ​skills and experience I have gained via my Policing ​role are all transferable into my day job.

Special Constable Nadine Slattery​ was attested in March 2010. She is employed as a Senior Training & Learning Officer​ for her day job.