Sounds strange? It is. The existing law says they *must* check if applicants qualify… but doesn’t legally allow them to actually *do* those checks. So, instead of rushing in, they’re hitting pause until a new law is passed; one that clearly defines how background checks work and expands the role of these volunteers. This isn’t just bureaucracy; it’s strategy. Over 1,200 assistant officers logged 170,000 hours last year alone. The PPA wants to grow that to 1,500 by 2029. That’s why this pause matters; they’re not stopping recruitment, they’re preparing for a bigger, better, and more legally sound force. Sometimes, slowing down is the smartest move forward.