Metropolitan Special Constabulary
The Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) is the volunteer police force of the Metropolitan Police Service. It is one of three Special Constabularies operating within London, the others being part of the City of London Police and British Transport Police. The service was created over 190 years ago under the Special Constables Act 1831. As of November 2021 it consists of 1,450 officers, making it the largest in the UK.
| Metropolitan Special Constabulary | |
|---|---|
Flag | |
| Abbreviation | MSC |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | 15 October 1831 |
| Volunteers | 1,450 special officers |
| Legal personality | Police force |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Greater London (minus City of London), England, United Kingdom |
| Map of police area | |
| Size | 1,578 km2 (609 sq mi) |
| Population | More than 8 million |
| Legal jurisdiction | England and Wales |
| Primary governing body | Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime |
| Secondary governing body | Home Office |
| Constituting instrument | |
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Overviewed by | Home Office HMIC IOPC |
| Headquarters | New Scotland Yard Victoria Embankment London SW1A 2JL |
| Police officers | 1,450 special officers |
| Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime responsible | |
| Agency executives |
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| Parent agency | Metropolitan Police Service |
| Website | |
| Metropolitan Police Special Constables | |
Special Constables are warranted Police Officers who hold the Office of Constable and enjoy full powers and privileges of a Police Officer throughout England and Wales and are subject to the same standards of professional behaviour as any Police Officer would under The Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012. They wear the same uniform and engage in the same work as regular Police Officers, including foot and vehicle patrols (whether alone, with another Special Constable or with a regular Police Officer), attending incidents, specific operations and the policing of major events.
Special Constables are required to undertake a minimum of 200 hours of operational duties every year, spread over a minimum of 16 hours per month. However, many do more than the basic requirement.