In 1993 the Home Secretary announced the widespread establishment of Parish Constable schemes in rural areas. These schemes -- now extended throughout the country and included as part of the Neighborhood Constable initiative -- involve the allocation of trained special constables to specific local areas. Their primary tasks are to provide a foot patrol presence and to address problems of public order and minor crimes. The overall aims are to increase communication between the police and residents of rural communities and to enhance community involvement in law-and-order issues. The Home Office Research and Planning Unit studied four schemes in detail during the first 6 months of their existence and collected information from approximately 12 other schemes around the country. The focus of the evaluations was the organizational strengths and weaknesses of the schemes and the factors that contributed to these. The researchers listened to the views and experiences of a wide range of people from the police and local communities. The concluding chapter focuses on the importance of selecting qualified officers for the work, the difficulties that special constables face in defining a role within a community, the perceived policing needs of communities and their reactions to the schemes, and the importance of proper integration between special constables and the rest of their police force. Twelve recommendations are offered to guide the development of future Parish Constable schemes. 4 references