Mandy, Vehicle Checker
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 also shows 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, feel very valued, and have had the privilege of meeting many genuine, appreciative people along the way. I have gained some purpose in life, along with new friends!
Steve, Role Player & Vehicle Checker
I chose to volunteer because I had free time and volunteering motivates me to use the time more constructively. I have previously volunteered as a custody visitor, a crime prevention panel member and a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, so a PSV was a natural choice.
Volunteering brings me a sense of achievement and belonging, an enjoyable working environment, a network of colleagues, giving something back and helping in some small way.
There are so many benefits of being a Police Support Volunteer, including interacting with people from all walks of life, imparting their knowledge and experiences and gaining skills that help in daily life. Volunteering led directly to paid employment within the Force.
Gabriel, former volunteer and currently serving as a Police Officer
I started volunteering within Devon and Cornwall Police when I was 17 years old as a Police Cadet, and at 18, I re-joined as a Police Support Volunteer to become a Cadet Leader. It was shortly after that I discovered the other opportunities and roles available as a Police Volunteer. I then started a role as a Vehicle Check Volunteer and, shortly after, assisted at Public Events and with Public Engagement. From this, I obtained the ability and skills to drive and maintain marked police vehicles and attended events such as Royal Cornwall Show and Pride as part of the Policing Family.
When attending University, I then became a Special Constable and used references I obtained as a Police Volunteer to help me successfully join the Special Constabulary. I remained a Special Constable for roughly three years whilst at University. It was really fun, although sometimes challenging, and extremely rewarding. Through volunteering in the Special Constabulary, I was able to complete a variety of shifts, such as being in plain clothes, crewing with traffic and specialist operations, and helping neighbourhood and patrol teams.
After this time as a Special Constable, I became a Police Constable within Devon and Cornwall and currently have just over two years of service. The majority of this time has been spent on Response, although I am now within the Moonstone department on an attachment undertaking Domestic Abuse investigations to further my skills and knowledge in this really important area of policing.
I have made friends through volunteering and the special constabulary that I still keep in contact with and will likely maintain for life. The skills and references gained have also been invaluable for career progression, and volunteering has really helped give me a sense of purpose and direction in wanting to become a Police Officer. I was also able to get great exposure to the many different roles within Policing and have ambitions to eventually specialise in Roads Policing Casualty Reduction.