THIRTEEN new part-time officers have joined the ranks of the North Yorkshire police force.

The new Special Constables were sworn in at a special attestation ceremony at the magistrates’ court in Northallerton following an intensive initial training period of three months.

They will now be assigned a tutor constable on their neighbourhood beats, who will guide them through the next phase of their training which can take up to two years.

Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Ken McIntosh said: “In return for their incredibly generous and public spirited gesture of giving up their free to time to help protect our communities, they can look forward to a very rewarding, fulfilling and challenging career with our Special Constabulary.”

Specials play a key role in local policing and have the same powers in law as regular police officers, including the power of arrest. However, their role can also extend into more complex areas of policing.

They come from all walks of life - they are teachers, taxi drivers, accountants and secretaries, or any number of other careers - and all volunteer a minimum of four hours a week to the force, forming a vital link between the regular police and the local community.

The latest recruits bring the total number of newly-attested specials across North Yorkshire to 37 so far this year.