Choose from a range of volunteer roles
By choosing to volunteer with us, you will be rewarded with a diverse and supportive environment that can bring benefits, both professionally and personally, in many different areas.
Get in Touch
If you don't see a suitable role but are interested in volunteering with us, please get in touch with us by email below. Let us know what sort of voluntary role you're seeking, and we will be in touch with updates on our volunteering opportunities.
A cause to believe in!
Giving your time to a cause you believe in, in order to help others can be very rewarding and addictive!
A little selflessness can go a long way and you might just find you get a lot out of the experience and make new friends.
What do volunteers do?
When you align your passions with your volunteer work, the most unexciting of tasks can be brought into a whole new light. When you become passionate about the cause is when your work is going to have the biggest impact. Not every volunteer role is “on the frontline”. Without people in the background doing the unglamorous jobs we wouldn’t be able to strengthen our communities, solve problems and improve the lives of others.
Some of the roles we currently have across our force areas include Volunteer Drivers, Victim Care Volunteers, Administration Support, CCTV Volunteers and Vehicle Check Volunteers.
Although you will not be paid a salary, your volunteering role should not leave you out of pocket. You can claim expenses for travelling to and from your place of duty, and meal allowance if you assist for more than four hours together.
f you opt to join us as a Police Support Volunteer, you will undergo basic police vetting and will also be asked to sign forms agreeing to the principles of The Data Protection Act and The Official Secrets Act.
Who can join the Police Support Volunteers?
The Police Support Volunteers is open to:
- Any member of the public over the age of 16 years (for certain roles the minimum age maybe 17 or 18)
- Any member of the public who passes the strict vetting clearance
Who can't join the Police Support Volunteers?
Unfortunately, some roles or professions will prevent you from becoming a police volunteer for Dorset Police, as there could be a conflict of interest.
These are as follows:
- Police and Crime Commissioneer employees
- Magistrates/Clerks to the Justices/Clerks to the Courts
- Probation Officers/Bailiffs/Warrant Officers
- Liquor licence holders/Licensed premises managers (and their spouses)
- Licencees of betting/gaming establishments
- Private detectives/enquiry agents
- Security officers/guards/door staff
- Custody officers/custody escort officers
- Serving members of HM Forces.
Hear what our volunteers have to say
I have been in this role for just over a year now. I spend my time going to meetings, conferences, charity events and visit various members of the public who need support or help with diverse issues or issues with equality. I also spend my time at the station using the police computer to check what incidents or crimes we have to deal with and update the system if necessary. Volunteering with the team has been such a blessed relief for me and I enjoy every minute, its great being part of a team and feeling included in the events that go on. I love going out meeting with people and doing the charity events. I’m just thankful for this opportunity.
My role includes looking at Repeat Data through Tactical Information Management meetings. I obtain data from police systems using it to look at repeat offenders, victims, addresses and callers. I look at each case using police systems, focusing on individual profiles and incidents. I then create summary profiles based on the information I receive and upload these onto a spreadsheet. From this, I help police staff in identifying key people and details, which are discussed in weekly meetings. This therefore allows police workload to be more manageable and efficient. I am grateful for my volunteering position as it has given me an insight into the police force and how specific departments operate. I am excited to continue volunteering as I plan on developing a career in the force after my master’s at University!
I have an interest in cars anyway so being able to do vehicle checks, basic maintenance & a wash and brush up on Response vehicles doesn’t feel like a chore. Being able to take/bring back vehicles from the workshop is an addition that saves officers more time for other tasks. Role playing in scenarios helps with officer training, but it is also showing how well officers are trained. What I like about volunteering is I am very much part of the extended police family. I am treated with respect, I feel very valued and I have had the privilege of meeting lots of genuine, appreciative people along the way. I have gained some purpose in life along with new friends!
What I like about my role in volunteering is very simple. Firstly, I have been active all my life and the thought of retirement eight odd years ago left me with a feeling of impending boredom and inactivity. I wanted to do something to give back a little something to society. Since doing this role I have been impressed with the work of the police and been pleased to add my contribution to their excellent work. I have met very interesting and social people all of which have been professional at all times.