Six months ago, Lee Williams set a new precedent when he became the first ever Special Constable to become a South Wales Police Federation representative.

 

The history maker stepped into the role of a workplace rep back in April, seven years after he began work as a voluntary police officer.

 

Growing up in Merthyr Tydfil, Special Sergeant Lee was attracted to the idea of being a cop from a young age.

 

Any considerations of becoming a regular officer took a backseat, however, as he forged a career as a civil servant, where his current day job sees him as a planning support officer for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

 

 

But when Lee, now 33, saw an advert recruiting Specials, it was an opportunity he did not think twice about taking.

 

“In Merthyr, I lived on the Gurnos estate – it had its challenges, and I was used to seeing people in the back of police cars. I liked the idea of, one day, being in the front,” he said.

 

“Fast forward to later in life, and I remember waking up one day and having this strong feeling that I needed to give back. I saw an advert for the Special Constabulary and instantly knew it was right for me.”

 

 

Giving back is exactly what Lee began doing. Having started in a response role in the town he was born and raised, he now performs duties across various teams and departments for Merthyr Tydfil and also supports policing efforts at events in Cardiff and Swansea on occasion.

 

A keen work ethic and enthusiasm, including one day of special paid leave from his day job and an average of 20 to 30 hours committed to his voluntary role each month, saw him promoted from Special Constable to Special Sergeant in 2021.

 

“It is an honour to contribute to the police force. What I have loved so far is working with so many great colleagues, who have shown me policing is not a job, but a way of life,” he continued.

 

“The other huge thing for me is, of course, is serving the community I grew up in. At times, it has been a little strange, being a local copper for people I know, but even that in itself has been very rewarding.”

 

This level of dedication already as a volunteer, therefore, may prompt the question of why Lee has now taken on even more unpaid commitments as a Fed rep.

 

Just as he became the very first person to take on the dual responsibility, it was that same principle of unchartered territory behind the decision itself to become a Special Constable-workplace representative, he explains.

 

“Specials have only been Federation members for a couple of years, so there are many bridges we are crossing for the first time – and I want to be there for them.

 

“I’ve decided to do both roles because I care. It’s as simple as that, really.

 

 

“I think there are some matters that might be black-and-white for regulars, but not the case for Specials. That’s not me being critical of anyone, but ultimately, while Specials have been around for over a hundred years, being protected by the Fed is still a very new thing by comparison.”

 

Having established himself as the Federation’s point of contact for members of the Special Constabulary, Lee has set his sights on levelling the playing field in certain areas further for his fellow voluntary officers.

 

Specifically, he wants to reduce situations and procedures he believes are often prolonged for Specials compared to regulars, looking towards matters related to complaints and performance, among others.

 

“I think the Federation now has a duty to help preserve the Special Constabulary. It’s so important that local communities have police officers who aren’t police officers, in respect of being paid and full-time.

 

“I’ve seen the impact I have had on my own town. Thankfully, I’ve not lost any old friends,” he laughed.

 

“To be honest, I think it [being from Merthyr Tydfil] has afforded me slightly more respect, if anything. A few situations have been calmed down by someone saying, ‘it’s okay, I know this police officer’, despite the fact it shouldn’t really make a difference.”

 

Lee was then quizzed on whether he would like to see more Special Constables and Sergeants become Fed reps in the future.

 

“Absolutely – I’d much rather there be many of us rather than me be the only one.

 

“The main thing, though, is that Specials are looked after by the Federation, regardless of who the rep is.

 

 

“From what I’ve seen so far since this role gave me a better insight, the Federation definitely do care about the Special Constabulary. I feel I have the backing to do the best job possible as a representative.”

 

For any reservations over a work-life balance that a prospective Special-Fed rep may have, Lee maintained he does still find time to switch off from policing.

 

His way of doing this, he revealed, is by enjoying even more, completely optional, responsibilities. In his spare time, the Special Sergeant is also a part-time steward at Cardiff City FC and Cardiff Rugby (formerly known as Cardiff Blues), and a workplace rep in another staff association – at the Public and Commercial Services Union, a role linked to his civil service.

 

“I can’t deny I have a very busy life, but that’s the way I like it and have chosen it to be. I think a Special who is also a Fed rep can still keep up a healthy balance.

 

“There’s no getting away from the fact it would be a little more work on your plate – but Specials aren’t afraid of working hard, or we wouldn’t be Specials in the first place.

 

“We are police officers with a unique perspective, and an organisation like the Fed can never have too many perspectives.

 

“And in my view, if you want change, you can’t sit on the sidelines, you have to be a part of it – that’s why I do what I do and I am proud to do it,” he ended.