Special Sergeant, Roger

Can you introduce yourself and your role?

My name is Roger, and I’m currently a Special Sergeant with the District Policing Team on the Isle of Wight. I transferred to Hampshire in November 2024, but I’ve been a Special Constable for over 20 years. My role as Special Sergeant is to support the Special Constables on the Island.

What does a typical shift look like?

There’s really no such thing as a ‘typical’ shift! Every duty is different. We respond to 999 calls, which can range from large-scale disturbances, domestic incidents, missing persons and anything else that requires a police presence, the list is endless. It always starts with a team briefing and a quick catch-up with colleagues—although sometimes the radio goes off before the kettle has boiled and you’re straight out the door!

How do you balance volunteering with your personal and work life?

I’m lucky to have a very supportive wife and an employer who is part of the Employer Supported Policing Scheme, which gives me time off for policing duties. My day job works on a 5-on, 5-off rota, which also gives me plenty of spare time.  The minimum requirement for a Special is 16 hours a month, but I average about 70 hours. The more you put into the role the more you get out of it.

What skills do you think are important for the role?

I believe we all have the skills needed, we all want to help people. One quote I live by is ‘Courage is not the absence of fear; it’s the ability to act in the presence of fear.’ To me, that means anyone can stand up for what’s right. It’s about tapping into your potential, completing your training, and developing your skills to help the community.

What’s the best part of being a Special Constable?

The impact you can have on someone’s life. Even if it’s just making a person feel safe, you go home knowing you’ve achieved something special. I think that’s why we’re called ‘Special’ Constables.

Can you tell us what it is like to work and live on the Isle of Wight?

I’m still very new to the Island and still getting used to the slower pace of life, being born in South London and starting my Specials journey in the Met I can already see that Policing on the Island is definitely a unique experience. Firstly, the majority of the residents are actually happy to see Police Officers which is something I didn’t experience often in London. Policing on the Island is very personal as officers are part of that community as well, making the job extremely rewarding, but can also bring its own challenges when dealing with sensitive issues in a small population. Because we are isolated from mainland teams, having limited specialist units, Island Officers rely on each other for support and need to be multi-skilled, often taking on a wide range of roles.  It’s definitely the pinnacle of policing in the area you live in even my next-door neighbour is a police officer.

What advice would you give to someone considering becoming a Special Constable?

Fill out that application – you won’t regret it! I certainly haven’t. Over 20 years, I’ve had amazing experiences, met incredible people and made lifelong friends. Most importantly, it’s made me a better person.