A VOLUNTEER role in the Devon and Cornwall police force is one that is highly valued — and a role that one Tavistock man has always wanted.

Volunteer police officers, known as special constables, give up 16 hours a month of their personal time to be on the frontline — for free.

And Specials Sergeant Ben Pateman is just one of a number of volunteers who juggle their full-time employment with being a special constable.

‘I really love this job,’ said Ben, 25, who became a special constable over two years ago and is also a resource deployment officer in Plymouth. ‘It is rewarding and highly enjoyable, challenging and interesting but it is one I have always valued.’

As a former Tavistock College student, Ben has a great deal of local knowledge which proves advantageous in his new role. ‘I have lived in Tavistock all my life and I know a lot of people and the area. My family were in the police and it’s been a part of my life since I was young.’

Ben completed his training on September 16, 2015 and was recently made sergeant for the Tavistock special constables: ‘I wanted to see what it was like as a special constable before I tried to join as a police officer, as at the time there was no open recruitment as a police officer — but now I want to stay as a special constable.

‘I work with a great team who feel like family. Our specials at Tavistock have a variety of different full-time jobs such as nurses, car sales executive, mechanics and students but all of them put in so much effort.’

A new special constable has to complete 192 hours a year, 16 hours a month — but Ben’s dedication to the job has seen him complete 1,546 in two years.

‘What can I say, I love the job and want to be here — like I said I have always been interested in the police and I will give it all I can.’