MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR COMMUNITY - BECOME A POLICE VOLUNTEER


DURING National Volunteer Week (June 1-7) Hertfordshire Constabulary is inviting people in Hertfordshire to come and find out about the varied and exciting opportunities in the force.

Assisting in role play activities with student officers, helping your local neighbourhood teams or working alongside schools officers in youth schemes - these are but a few of the diverse and challenging jobs you could find yourself doing.

The Volunteer Scheme Team will be with the Broxbourne Safer Neighbourhood Team van outside Tesco at the Brookfield Centre, Cheshunt on Wednesday June 2 between 10am and 3pm - why not go along and find out more?

Deputy Chief Constable Simon Parr said: “Our Police Community Volunteers are an invaluable asset and we are indebted to those who currently give their free time.

“Many volunteers already support the Constabulary by making a valuable contribution to the safety and security of their own community. They gain a great deal of satisfaction from the work they do and can learn new expertise at the same time.

“While they are never a substitute for our police officers and staff, they can bring specialist skills to departments and help with work that might otherwise take officers or staff away from frontline duties, assisting us in our work of protecting and serving the people of Hertfordshire."

Hertfordshire Constabulary currently has around 100 volunteers, who are involved in a variety of roles, where their skills have been matched to the jobs available and training given where necessary. The scheme is flexible and volunteers do not have to commit to a minimum number of hours or even regular times each week. They must be over 18. There are also a great many benefits for the volunteers themselves, such as:

- Enhancing career prospects
- Helping people get back into work
- Bettering the communities they live or work in
- Learn new skills or develop existing skills, with help from and support through the scheme
- The satisfaction of seeing a real difference from the work they do.

The Constabulary is also recruiting Special Constables. Special Constables have the same powers and training as regular officers – the only difference is that they are volunteers. They play a valuable role in solving quality of life issues, reassuring members of the public, saving lives and responding to emergencies. In return, Special Constables receive excellent training and a wealth of opportunities and experience. Potential new recruits must be aged between 18 and 62 and be able to devote a minimum of 16 hours per month to their duties.


Simon concluded: “During National Volunteer Week I would like to encourage anyone who has some free time and would like to give back to their communities to get involved, and play a big part in keeping our communities safe.”

If you think volunteering with Hertfordshire Constabulary is for you, you can apply via an online application process, found at www.hertspolicecareers.co.uk/

Alternatively, please contact Ian Colpitts, the Volunteer Scheme Project Officer, on 01438 757425 or email ian.colpitts@herts.pnn.police.uk

More information is also available at www.herts.police.uk/neighbourhood_policing/volunteers.htm

For an informal chat about becoming a Special Constable, please contact Special Chief Officer Peter Mould on 01923 472576. If you are interested in applying, please ring 0800 358 3990 or apply on line via the web site www.herts.police.uk/specials/index.htm.

May 2010