Special police are law enforcement officers who are assigned to specific duties or responsibilities outside of the normal scope of law enforcement. They are often appointed by government agencies or private organizations and are given specialized training to perform their duties. There are several synonyms that may be used to describe special police including auxiliary police, reserve police, and private police. Auxiliary police are typically volunteers who assist the regular police force on a part-time basis. Reserve police officers are sworn law enforcement officers who work on a part-time basis and are often called upon during emergencies or special events. Private police are hired by private organizations to protect their property and assets.