From supporting police officers on foot patrols to attending major incidents, special constables serve a vital role in communities across the county.
And this month Suffolk Police is launching a New Year #CouldYouBeSpecial campaign to attract more recruits into the Special Constabulary.
Being a member of the Special Constabulary offers a range of opportunities to volunteer within the community in a role that offers a flexible balance with home life commitments.
One special, who works as part of Lowestoft Police force, is mother-of-two Holly Rackham from Barnby.
Mrs Rackham, 41, said: 'There's such camaraderie here and the team are all friends. 'Before I had children I was a line manager for a parcel delivery company- but it was not fitting in with my family life.
'The police are very accommodating and give you a lot of support but specials still go to jobs like stabbings or car park ticketing but we always have support on the other end of a radio if we need it.'
A normal working week for Holly Rackham sees her working five shifts between 9.30am and 2.30pm or 9am and 3pm - which she explains are shift patterns that enable her to take and collect her children, April, five, and Lewis, nine, to and from school each day.
'My husband Stephen and my family are very supportive and I have a very good friends and mother-in-law but the nice thing is I can come in a 9.30am, after doing the school run, and then go out and do a foot patrol - it is very flexible,' said Mrs Rackham.
She added: 'I really enjoy meeting all sorts of diverse people, going on foot patrols and having people come up to you and shaking you by the hand as they appreciate seeing a 'Bobby on the beat' .
'The job has given me a huge amount of confidence and I have never regretted my decision to do it - in fact its best decision I have made in years.'
Video footage highlighting the inspirational stories of three serving Suffolk specials, including Holly Rackham, can be viewed at www.suffolk.police.uk or www.vimeo.com/suffolkpolice.
If you are 18 years or older, in good health and of good character, you can apply to be a special constable and full training will be provided.
For more information, visit www.suffolk.police.uk/join-us
Have you got a Lowestoft story? Tell The Journal by calling 01502 525820 or email lowestoft.journal@archant.co.uk
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