A Lichfield councillor has been outlining plans to recruit 200 volunteer police officers in Staffordshire.
Matthew Ellis, who is the Conservative candidate for the Police and Crime Commissioner role in the county, has said he would look to recruit the extra special constables if elected.
“Rather than being part of a large ‘pool’ of officers who are sent all over the wider area they [special constables] would be recruited to police the specific community where they live, whether it be rural areas of Lichfield or the city,” he said.
“It’s not about replacing the PCSOs or police officers there already, it is about extra uniformed presence in the community to give reassurance and a sense of permanence for local people.”
Mr Ellis added that the local knowledge and stake in the area gained by living there would be invaluable and believes that communities will welcome a more visible police presence.
He continued: “I think the role of Police and Crime Commissioner is about bringing fresh ideas as well as new thinking to make our area safer.
“It’s also about ensuring every pound of public money is spent more effectively because it’s not just how much is spent but how well it is.”
Labour’s Joy Garner will be opposing Cllr Ellis in the elections in November.
