Women in Volunteer Policing: Exploring the Experiences and Perspectives of Female Special Constables in England and Wales

This research paper examines experiences of female part-time volunteer police – Special Constables – across several different police forces in England and Wales, exploring gendered experiences in part-time volunteer policing in terms of accessibility, inclusion, engagement, and professional development. Interviews with female volunteer police reveal gendered constructions of volunteer policing roles, careers, status, and value. Within a male-centric and a “regular” paid-service officer-centric policing milieu, female Special Constables reflect a complex, contested professional space and professional identities. Findings highlight challenges of “fitting in” to policing and of “being fit for” the volunteer officer role. Substantial, and distinct, career barriers link to gendered differences in time availability and care responsibilities, life events, maternity, and parenthood. Particularly within leadership and specialisation pathways, there are constraints to female volunteer officer career progression. The study points to a need for fundamental institutional adaptation, to foster a model of gender-equitable participation within the volunteer police.