Special constables work alongside regular officers

The proposals, which need to be given final approval by the police authority, would mean the volunteer officers would qualify for �1,500 each.

In return, they would have to work at least six hours a week and there would be allowances for training and leave.

The force says it is the only one to have made a firm commitment to pay specials without a pilot scheme first.

The bonus is one of a number of proposals in a review of the part-time force, which has 91 constables.

The specials will be split between the new north and south area commands under the supervision of 13 community inspectors.

Specialist skills

Funding from the Government will pay for three new posts including a recruiting officer to increase the number of specials to 150.

Inspector Alan Veitch said: "If everything is approved, the payment should come into effect by the summertime.

"A fresh look at the special constabulary was long overdue.

"It is an excellent resource which has been vastly under-used, but in future there will be greater advance planning to deploy officers on a more co-ordinated basis."

Research showed many of the volunteer officers had specialist computer, fundraising and other skills.

It is now setting up a database to co-ordinate the details so they can be used in pre-planned operations or in a major incident.