Influenced by his time in the regular army and the role the TA played in supporting his regiment on operations, Tobias Ellwood wrote to the Shadow Home Secretary, in 2003 with the idea that our 'Special' police constables should be paid.

Like the TA, the 'Specials' are part time and provide vital additional support and flexibility to the regular units. They are highly trained and have the same powers of arrest as regular police, but unlike the TA, they are unpaid.

In contrast, the Police Community Support Officers (PCSO's) get paid almost as much as a regular police officers but have very limited powers. Paying the ‘Specials’ would be seen as much better use of tax payers’ money.

Some constabularies such as Durham are already pursuing the idea, but are having to circumnavigate around complex and costly employment regulations. A simple change in the law would allow Chief Constables the freedom to pay the Specials should they chose.

At the October 2004 Conservative Party Conference the idea was adopted as Conservative policy.