Association of Special Constabulary Officers (ASCO)

Who we are

ASCO is a registered charity and the national representative body for Special Constables in the United Kingdom.

Legislative reform to better protect Special Constables employment rights:

ASCO have raised awareness of the disparity in law around the protection for volunteer employment rights, so much so that following our campaign we defeated the Government in the House of Lords in 2025 and added Special Constables to the Employment Rights Bill, however this campaign is a long way from over and we welcome further support to continue the fight.

Authorisation of Tasers for Special Constables:

ASCO successfully advocated for Special Constables to be authorised to use Tasers, a significant step in enhancing the safety and effectiveness of Special Constables. This achievement demonstrates ASCO's commitment to equipping members with the necessary tools to perform their duties safely and effectively, reflecting the organisation's strong influence in national policing policies.
 

Special Constabulary Rank Structure:

ASCO have played an influential role in maintaining the rank structure within the Special Constabulary. By commissioning legal advice and academic research, ASCO have provided the evidence-base for local teams to retain the SC rank structure, enabling our members to maintain a strong voice in local policing decisions.

Our culture and values

A - Advancing Professional Standards

•Commitment to maintaining and enhancing professional standards within the Special Constabulary.

•Leadership in ensuring accountability and integrity through participation in ethics, oversight and scrutiny working groups.

S - Supporting Inclusive Leadership

•Dedication to promoting inclusivity and diversity within policing, actively participating in groups such as the Disability Network and Women in Policing.

•Vision to establish a Women in Leaders Network to support and empower women in the Special Constabulary.

C - Connecting to our Communities

•Focus on enhancing community relations, trust and responsiveness.

•Draw from extensive experience in neighbourhood policing and community roles.

O - Ongoing Development and Knowledge Sharing through Evidence-Based Policing

•Vision to advance the development of ASCO, providing members with opportunities for seminars, support, and networking events.

•Strong emphasis on utilising research to inform policing practices, demonstrated through involvement in the Policing and Evidence Group and research projects on wellbeing and effectiveness.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We operate to the high standards expected by anyone involved in policing and expect our volunteers and anyone representing ASCO to uphold these standards too. We have a range of policies and a supportive team of trustees to ensure fairness, trust and integrity is maintained across the charity.