Policing students on the frontline in North Wales during coronavirus pandemic

Policing students at Wrexham Glyndŵr University are helping officers on the frontline during the coronavirus pandemic.

Holly Williams and Kyle Smith are serving as special officers with North Wales Police and helping to maintain lockdown regulations in addition to other duties.

20-year-old Holly from the Conwy area, is serving as a Temporary Special Sergeant Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Llanrwst and the Conwy Valley. She has also assisted officers in Anglesey, Bangor, Caernarfon, Llanberis, Barmouth, Aberdyfi and the Llŷn Peninsula when needed.

“I know that the police force is under a lot of pressure at the moment with everything that is going on therefore I’m putting as much time as I can to support my regular colleagues and relieve some of the pressure off them,” said Holly.

As a Temporary Special Sergeant, Holly and another Special Sergeant brief the team as to where they want them to patrol, who they are being paired up with and ensuring that they have vehicles to be able to go from A to B. She also goes on patrols, Ensuring that people are listening and understanding the current guidelines set by the government – and enforcing the regulations where necessary.

Holly added: “I’m extremely proud to be a part of the Special Constabulary during these times, being able to do my part for the community.

“However, it is a worrying thought that we are on the frontline during these times. Not knowing who we’re coming into contact with and not knowing who has the virus.”

Meanwhile Kyle, 28, from Flintshire, is policing his home county, working as much as his Glyndŵr studies allow.

“My duties are currently conducting foot patrols and visiting our beauty spots in Flintshire South such as Moel Famau and Hope Mountain, if the public are at these beauty spots myself and my fellow Special Constables will engage, explain, and encourage’ and if we have to, enforce.

“How does it feel on the frontline? I feel like it has been an honour to do my part for the community and for North Wales, this is something I wish to do in the near future so while I have the opportunity I like to show my commitment to North Wales Special Constabulary.”

Both Holly and Kyle are pursuing the BSc (Hons) Policing programme at Wrexham Glyndŵr University.

Wrexham Glyndwr University has 15 students working as Specials, with a further 11 doing their training.

Andrew Crawford, Professional Policing Lecturer at Glyndwr, said: “Glyndwr University was one of the first universities in the UK to be validated to deliver the BSc (Hons) Professional Policing degree by the College of Policing and has a solid foundation in delivering this professional degree.

“There are a limited number of universities who have been validated to deliver the course and with new recruits into policing needing to be degree educated from this year, now is a good time to get your policing career started by studying with us.”

More information about studying Policing at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, can be found here.