BEING a police officer is a pretty tough job – so why would you want to do it for free...? I spent a busy Friday night with a team of special constables to find out.

The evening kicked off with me clambering into a people carrier at about 7.30pm along with Rayleigh neighbourhood policing Sgt Steve Joynes and five of his team.

We’re off to Rochford to give protection to a victim of domestic violence who is heading to her former home to clear out her belongings.

The partner doesn’t show, but we carefully watch as she loads her possessions into a van.

This is where specials play a unique community role as ordinary shift officers would struggle to find time in a Friday night shift to provide this sort of service.

While we watch I take the opportunity to chat with special sergeant Mark Brind, 21, who has been volunteering for two-and-a-half years.

By day he fits TV aerials and stairlifts, but he has ambitions to become a fully fledged police officer, preferably for the traffic division.

He describes his motivation: “I want to make a difference in the community. This is a good way of seeing what it’s all about. I like the variety. You never know what you’re going to go to next.”

Our next job is dealing with troublesome teenagers at Ashingdon Memorial Park. By the time we get there we find just three teenagers left, who are advised about how noise and rowdy antics are causing problems for residents.

Then it’s off to disperse a large boozy group of youths at Hockley railway station. One belligerent teenager throws a coke can, and is made to pick it up. Fortunately the situation doesn’t flare up.

It is clearly an advantage that specials are quite young and find it easier to speak to youngsters on their level.

Special constable Sam Thoburn, 20, says: “They tend to listen to you because you’re around their age.

“We are more understanding because at their age there’s nothing to do. That is changing and more places are being built for them to meet.

“The one at the community centre in Hullbridge is well used by youngsters.”

Sgt Joynes explained that a planned dispersal order for Hockley could really help tackle the problem of youth gangs.

It means they will be able to move them on, then, if they return within 24 hours, they will be arrested.

Our next call is to the Mill Arts and Events Centre, Rayleigh. A 15-year-old girl has gone missing. It’s thought she might be in the area, because her mum had previously told her she wasn’t allowed to go out.

After an hour she is found safe and well.

A blue light run to Hockley follows after reports of a domestic disturbance which could escalate. We find a couple arguing on the doorstep and officers use their skills to calm the situation.

Finally it’s keeping tabs on revellers pouring out of pubs in Rayleigh. The presence of the specials helps to prevent any problems before they develop.

Specials have to complete 20 training sessions which each last a day. Sam said no amount of training can prepare you for all situations and there is no substitute for experience. She recalls stopping to help a man having an epileptic fit in the street.

Mark told how he helped an elderly woman with dementia who he found wandering the street alone at night.

Sam said: “You simply can’t switch off, but that’s why I love it.”

If you are interested in becoming a special, call the recruitment hotline on 01245 452277.