A RETIRED army colonel who is in the running to become Cumbria’s new police and crime commissioner said former soldiers would make ideal special constables.

Peter McCall, of Millhouse near Hesket Newmarket, believes ex-servicemen and women have the perfect background to fulfil the voluntary role.

He said: “If I become police and crime commissioner, I want to increase the numbers of special constables and our brave former military personnel living locally have the perfect background for the job.

“I know this from my years of experience in the army and I would be able to work with local army groups to promote the opportunity.

“Volunteering as a special is a great thing for anyone to do whatever their background and shows real commitment to the safety of our communities.

“It also produces a double benefit of boosting the new recruit’s experience and career prospects, while saving money for Cumbria police to invest in more visible policing on the frontline.”

Cumbria police is recruiting for specials, who support officers in their full-time roles.

Many special constables, who hold some of the same powers as regular officers and wear a similar uniform, go on to full-time employment with the police after a spell of volunteering.

Col McCall, who recently retired from a 34-year military career and is now the Conservative candidate for the commissioner’s post, completing his last tour in Ebola-stricken Sierra Leone last year, has met a lot of soldiers who he believes would make ideal specials.

He said they already have the self discipline, service ethos, fitness and leadership experience to make a real contribution to the community.

Col McCall was selected as the Conservative candidate in October and has been involved as trustee and chairman of several military charities.

Throughout his army career, the former head boy of Wigton’s Nelson Thomlinson School climbed the ranks to become regimental colonel of the Royal Logistics Corps.

He also commanded a squadron in Bosnia and completed postings in Northern Ireland, Germany, Hong Kong and America.

In he final tour of duty he was working as deputy commander of the military contingent which coordinated an international mission to combat the severe outbreak of Ebola which killed thousands of people in west Africa.

Other political parties have yet to announce candidates who will campaign against Col McCall to succeed Conservative Richard Rhodes, who has already said he will not be seeking re-election.