MSC ranks are not like-for-like equivalents to those of regular police ranks, meaning that and for example, a Special Sergeant not having the same legal authority as a Police Sergeant under various Acts that make reference to it. So in terms of those Acts that make reference to police officers of rank, such as Sergeant, Inspector, Superintendent, etc.; all MSC officers regardless of their rank hold the permanent office of "Constable". Alongside this MPS policy states that regular officers take primacy at operational incidents regardless of any MSC officers of rank being in attendance, but that is not to say that their contribution is dismissed out-of-hand purely because they are a volunteer. The reality is that such issues of primacy of decision-making seldom occur and there is an equitable collaboration between colleagues whom together seek to deliver the right result for the public.