(S/CI) and Deputy Chief Officer (DCO) ranks were removed in 2016, but following the change to 12 BCUs the role of Special Chief Inspector was reinstated and in February 2022 the role of Deputy Chief Officer was reinstated. MSC ranks are not like-for-like equivalents to those of regular police ranks and are simply administrative grades. This means that for example, a Special Sergeant or Inspector does not have the same legal authority as a Police Sergeant or Inspector under various Acts that make reference to the ranks. MPS policy states that regular officers take primacy at operational incidents regardless of the grade of any MSC officers present. As with regular ranks, MSC grades can be held on an 'acting', 'temporary' or 'substantive' basis. Within the Metropolitan Police Service, the MSC falls within Frontline Policing (FP) with the Chief Officer MSC being a member of the 'Chief Officers Group' (COG). Insignia The main insignia which separates MSC from regular officers is the "SC & Crown" which is worn at the top of the epaulette by MSC officers of all ranks. Special Constables wear their "Borough Code", usually a two-letter code, which signifies which BCU or specialist unit they are attached to. Below this, at the bottom of their epaulette, is their Collar number, a four digit number beginning with a 5 or 8 if attached to Roads and Transport Policing Command or 9 if attached to Organised Crime. A Special Sergeant's insignia is similar to a Special Constable's except they have a 4-digit shoulder number beginning with 50 (or 80 for RTPC, 90 for Organised Crime). Officers ranked above sergeant do not wear borough codes or shoulder numbers. Unlike epaulette insignia, the Metropolitan Special Constabulary have the same Uniform Insignia as the Metropolitan Police where the Special ranks have equivalent designs as well as the Assistant Chief Officer wears equivalent uniform to a Commander/Assistant Chief Constable and the Chief Officer wears equivalent uniform to the Commissioner/Chief Constable. See also Special Constabulary References External links Official Metropolitan Police Website Metropolitan Police Specials info Special Constabulary info on Metropolitan Police website Organizations established in 1831 Metropolitan Police Special Constabulary