INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13

 
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13
ISSUE 13

Inside this issue
Meet Citizens in Policing
from across the Country
INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13
A Thank You from Chief
                                                  Constable Dave Jones
                                            The first national survey to seek      it. He said: “I believe it is hugely
                                            the views of Special Constables        important that the views of
                                            and Police Support Volunteers has      volunteers and Special Constables
                                            now ended.                             are sought before the future
                                                                                   strategy of Citizens in Policing
                                            More than 3,000 responses were         is set. We have had a very
                                            received from police services          positive response to the survey
                                            across the country. The results        and the initial results are very

WELCOME
                                            will now be used to inform the         encouraging.
                                            new, national strategy for Citizens

                                                                                                                               Neighbourhood Watch Conference
                                            in Policing. The survey was led        “My thanks go to everyone who
                                            by North Yorkshire Police’s Chief      has taken the time out of their

                                                                                                                               “The way ahead”
Volunteering has a long history,
traceable in Britain at least back to       Constable Dave Jones who is the        busy lives to complete the survey
medieval times, when there was a            National Police Chiefs’ Council’s      which was quite lengthy and
strong association between religion
and ministration to the poor and
                                            lead for Citizens in Policing.         in-depth. The data will now be
sick. Estimates suggest that no fewer                                              analysed in depth to help shape
than 500 voluntary hospitals were           Mr Jones thanked everyone              the future direction of volunteering
established in England during the 12th      who took the time to complete          across the police service.”
and 13th centuries.                                                                                                            The Neighbourhood Watch                                        The event provided an
The Community Life Survey states                                                                                               conference took place in                                       opportunity to gather collective
that in 2014-15, 69% of people had                                                                                                                                                            thoughts on the advent of a
                                                                                                                               December 2015, the objective
                                               Congratulations to GMP
volunteered at least once in the last 12
months, a decrease compared to 2013-                                                                                           of the event was to make sure                                  number of step changes which
14 (74%). However, the proportion
                                                                                                                               that their key volunteers, police                              will eventually result in some
of people formally volunteering has
remained similar compared to 2013-14
(42% and 41% respectively). It is safe
                                               Police Support Volunteer                                                        and other important partners                                   considerable sea changes
to say that Police Support Volunteers                                                                                          have a shared understanding of                                 within Neighbourhood Watch.
and Volunteer Police Cadets numbers         We would like                                                                      where they are now, why they                                   Over the next five years they
have been growing significantly within      to congratulate
the police service and Forces need to                                                                                          need to start doing some things                                will:
                                            Meerna Elsayed,
ensure that these Citizens in Policing                                                                                         differently and how they plan to
are welcomed, involved and engaged          who has been a                                                                                                                                    •    Be able to identify and
in supporting police services to help
                                            Police Support
                                                                                                                               take this forward.
reduce crime and provide increased                                                                                                                                                 support proactive volunteers across the
reassurance within their communities.       Volunteer with                                                                     A vital aspect of this is partnership working,      movement
                                            GMP for 11 months                                                                  and Neighbourhood Watch look forward
It is extremely important to recognise
the commitment that our volunteers give     and gave birth to                                                                                                                   • Be able to measure the effectiveness of the
to policing, and one way of doing this is                                                                                      to strengthening their relationships and
                                            baby Sophie on                                                                                                                        movement
throughout National Volunteers Week.                                                                                           working together with partners to ensure the
This year celebrations will be extended     9th November.
and the event will be running from the      Meerna says, “I am
                                                                                                                               Neighbourhood Watch movement remains             • Actively participate in the government’s
1-12 June. Volunteering Matters would
                                            thoroughly enjoying                                                                effective in the changing world of crime           Modern Crime Prevention Strategy
like to be able to publish a vibrant mix
of activities and celebrations that will    Sophie, who is                                                                     prevention and policing.
hopefully take place across Volunteers’                                                                                                                                         • Be able to prevent new and emerging
Week showing how Forces have                growing so quickly
                                                                                                                               The event was fully sponsored enabling it          crimes alongside other partners
celebrated those volunteers who give up     already. I am
their time to serve their communities. We                                                                                      to take place at no cost to the taxpayer
look forward to hearing from you.           hoping to be back
                                                                                                                               and there were various key speakers and          • Be able to secure adequate resources and
                                            volunteering in
I hope you enjoy this issue and thank
                                            spring and                                                                         workshops throughout the two days.                 funding at a national and force area level
you to all those who have contributed.
                                            returning to paid
Tina Shelton                                work in August”
Editor

                                                                                  Front Page: North Wales Horse Watch
Volunteering Matters is produced with support from
                                                                                                  Coordinator Helen Lacey
SC Graham Holmes, Volunteers and Volunteer practitioners.
                                                                                    If you would like to be placed on the
Please send your views, ideas and articles to:
                                                                                           e-subscription list please email:
tina.shelton@gmp.police.uk
                                                                                               tina.shelton@gmp.police.uk

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13
BUILDING LOYALTY THROUGHOUT                                                                                          GMP Museum record high visitors
THE VOLUNTEER LIFE CYCLE
                                                                                                                     The Museum was founded in 1981.          Together, they bring a wealth of
                                                                                                                     It not only collects and preserves       experience, skill and expertise. There
               by Susan J. Ellis, President of Energize, Inc   • Training useful to the role and good instructions
                                                                                                                     archive material and objects relating    are various volunteer roles such
                                                                                                                     to the history of policing in the        as visitor experience; learning and
                 I’ve often said that volunteer                • All volunteers seen as “trainees” at the start
                                                                                                                     Greater Manchester area, but acts as     collection care and museum guides
                 “retention” is not a task, it’s
                 an outcome. Volunteers evolve                 • The importance of the volunteer’s first day         an important resource for community      often wear period uniform.
                 commitment and remain enthusiastic
                                                               • And also of day 2 (when questions still remain)     engagement, where visitors can
                 in stages, as they progress through
                 what might be called the “volunteer
                                                                                                                     talk to staff and volunteers about
life cycle.” At each stage, what you do and say -                                                                    policing.
and how volunteers feel - matters a lot!                       Novice > Knowing the Ropes
Here’s a brief summary of how someone moves                    • Good performance is reinforced
from being a stranger to your organization
through becoming a volunteer and then from being               • Problems get attention early
a newbie to a seasoned veteran. Consider how                   • Importance/impact of the effort is reported
the messages you send in word and deed create a
welcoming environment (or not) at every stage.                 • Recognition is genuine and ongoing

Stranger > Possible Recruit                                    • Communication is open, honest, and two-way

• What your recruitment message says...and
  how?                                                         Experienced Volunteer
• Whether you tell the truth about what you want               Are long-time volunteers happy? Getting bored?
  and expect                                                   Getting burned out?   
                                                                                                                     For the last two years visitor figures
• If the invitation to serve seems to welcome                                                                                                                 GMP would like to say a massive
                                                               Recognise that more volunteers leave because          have been steadily growing at the
  individual talents                                           they are under-utilised than because they are                                                  thank you to all the volunteers
                                                                                                                     museum, the social media presence
                                                               overworked! At least being overworked means                                                    supporting the museum,
                                                               they are needed.                                      has grown and the museum currently
Candidate > Applicant                                                                                                                                         acknowledging that without them the
                                                                                                                     stands as the third museum in
                                                               Experienced volunteers can choose to:                                                          museum wouldn’t be the success it is.
• Speed of response to initial inquiry                                                                               Manchester on TripAdvisor and
                                                               • Stay in place - but they might appreciate a
                                                                                                                     number 9 in terms of general
• Depth and tone of the interview                                change of pace, such as a short-term special
                                                                 project or even a leave of absence                  attractions in Manchester.

Accepted Volunteer > Being Oriented/
                                                               • Move on/up to a different role in the               The museum volunteers play a vital
                                                                 organisation
Inducted                                                                                                             role in supporting museum staff
                                                               • Leave                                               and ensuring that the services they
• How you communicate the volunteer’s
  acceptance into your organisation?
                                                                                                                     provide go from strength to strength.
                                                               “Alumni”                                              The team consists of retired staff/
• Reinforcing expectations during orientation
                                                                                                                     officers from local police forces as
                                                               Even someone who stops volunteering with you
                                                               can still remain a supporter (if you offer that
                                                                                                                     well as university students and recent
Placed in Assignment > Starting Out                            chance and keep in touch). Alumni volunteers can      graduates who are or have studied
• Staff or volunteer supervisor/buddy is
                                                               even come back to service or help out in short-term   related subjects such as criminology,
                                                               roles - again, if you keep communication open and
  prepared to coach and support the newcomer                   ask.
                                                                                                                     museum studies, history and PGCEs.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13
PARISH PRIEST OF WEST YORKSHIRE                                                        status and have become recognised
                                                                                       as Police Support Volunteers and so

WITH THREE VOLUNTEERING ROLES                                                          now I find myself wearing two different
                                                                                       hats, that of Chaplain and Musician.
                                                                                       As time has gone on whilst supporting
                                             Paul replied: ‘Everything has been a      West Yorkshire Police as a Chaplain the
                                             natural progression from when I joined    opportunity arose to become warranted
                                             at the age of 19. I joined the force      as a Special Constable and this allows
                                             band shortly after attesting and I have   me to have greater interaction with
                                             played with the band since 1991.          both the staff and the wider community,
                                             When I left the Police to become a        helping to build bridges between the
                                             Church of England Priest I continued      two. I would actually say that I have
                                             to play in the band. Having been part     had more pastoral conversations
                                             of the extended policing family for all   since being warranted for the second
                                             of my working life, and knowing the       time than when compared to being a
                                             culture of the organisation, it seemed    volunteer chaplain. Once warranted
                                             only natural that once I was ordained     I was overjoyed to be offered the
                                             I should become one of the voluntary      opportunity to be part of the Safer
                                             Force Chaplains too. The players within   Roads Team at Protective Services
                                             the Force Band have recently changed      Operations as this was always one of
                                                                                       my greatest loves the first time round.
As well as fulfilling his role as a Parish                                             I feel privileged to utilise my previous
Priest in the Diocese of Leeds-West                                                    skills as a Road Policing Officer and
Yorkshire and the Dales, a Chaplin to                                                  regain my advanced permits, which
Further and Higher Education and a                                                     will assist in increasing resilience and
member of the newly elected Church                                                     in supporting my colleagues within the
of England General Synod, Paul                                                         Police”                                  as he supports projects in many of
Cartwright fulfils three volunteering                                                                                           his roles. Paul has recently worked
                                                                                       Paul’s skills benefit the communities
roles within West Yorkshire Police, Force                                                                                       on a National project to improve the
                                                                                       he serves, the Church and West
Chaplin, Safer Roads Special and Force                                                                                          Church’s response to issues around
                                                                                       Yorkshire Police and are transferable
Band Musician. Paul’s journey with                                                                                              Safeguarding as well as sitting on the
West Yorkshire Police commenced in                                                                                              Archbishop’s Councils Committee for
1990 where he served as an Officer                                                                                              Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns and
until 2006 when he took a career break                                                                                          within West Yorkshire Police, Paul is
to explore a new vocation with the                                                                                              actively involved in raising the profile
Church of England. Paul was ordained                                                                                            of the British Association of Women in
as a Deacon in 2008 and as a Priest                                                                                             Policing, acting as a Champion for the
in 2009 and finally left his role as an                                                                                         volunteers in the Policing Family.
Officer after a five year career break in
2011.                                                                                                                            When you meet Paul don’t worry
                                                                                                                                 which hat he is wearing he can quickly
When Paul was asked why he                                                                                                       change to the most suitable one albeit
volunteers for West Yorkshire Police                                                                                             often virtually.

  6   VOLUNTEERING MATTERS ISSUE 13                                                                                                    ISSUE 13 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS   7
INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13
Police Car UK

PRESERVING A PIECE OF THE
POLICE TRANSPORT HISTORY
Police Car UK (PC-UK) is an organisation interested      or make models of police vehicles and a photographic          programme and the Metropolitan Police         ‘Classic Police Vehicle of the Year’. A
in preserving Police Transport Heritage, with 150        section. Sadly the latter is not very active at the moment    recreated “the liver run”, a programme        former winner below is the Classic Police
members and sixty preserved police vehicles on their     as individual vehicle liveries and unusual vehicles have      from Police Camera Action where the           Vehicle of the Year was Tim Smith’s Ford
fleet, spread around the U.K. PC-UK was formed in        all but disappeared from force fleets. PC-UK’s aim is         crew of a MetPol Rover Sd1 had to get         Police Concept Granada.
2005, and members are serving or retired police and      to support the Police Service and their vehicle owners        a donor organ from Essex to a central
support staff, or someone with a proven history in       to attend 999 shows and police related events around          London Hospital within 30 minutes. That       As well as having Classic Police Vehicle
the vehicle preservation field. All the PC-UK fleet of   the country. Everything that is done is at members own        vehicle still exists on their fleet and was   of the Year PC- UK also have an annual
vehicles are privately owned and have been restored      expense and they make no charge for attendance.               used in the recreation.                       award trophy for ‘Member of the Year’,
and maintained to the very highest standards. PC-UK      PC-UK is happy to accept a donation to their charity,                                                       which is awarded to the member who
produce a quarterly magazine “On Patrol “, - the         the National Police Memorial Day Fund, for which they         PC-UK has the occasional track days           is felt to have committed the most to the
magazine editor Steve Woodward was one of the stars      have raised over £6,000 in the last five years.               and skid pan events which they assured        club throughout the season.
of “Traffic Cops” when it was filmed in Hampshire                                                                      Special Impact are great fun. At four
                                                         Obviously the cars are not used as “everyday drivers”.        events during the year the vehicles are       If you may be interested in joining PCUK
Within the club there are three sections, members who    PC-UK work under a letter of guidance from the                independently judged and certificates         or would like to make them aware of
own preserved police vehicles, members who collect       National Police Chiefs Council (formerly ACPO) when           awarded to the best in show. At the end       an event you are organising in the
                                                         travelling on public roads. All emergency lighting is         of the year the membership is asked to        future, please contact a member of the
                                                         covered and/or rendered inoperable, door crests and           vote for their favourite vehicle with the     Committee using the links on the website
                                                         police lettering is also fully covered and “not in service”   winner being awarded the trophy for           www.policecaruk.com
                                                         signs prominently displayed. Members carry a copy of
                                                         the NPCC guidance letter and proof of membership of
                                                         Police Car U.K. together with documentation of where
                                                         they are going with the vehicle. All cars are equipped
                                                         with log books, recording who drove the car on a
                                                         particular day and for what purpose.

                                                         PC-UK also supply preserved police cars for special
                                                         events, police weddings, sadly police funerals, film
                                                         work and to industry. In September 2014 and again in
                                                         April 2015 they supplied two Mk 2 Jaguar Police Cars
                                                         to support Jaguar Cars Ltd at the global launch of the
                                                         new Jaguar XE at Earls Court and later at the official
                                                         opening of the new factory at Solihull. In the new series
                                                         of “For The Love of Cars” shown in April last year, the
INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13
MEET NORTH WALES volunteer
                                                                                                         After becoming a victim of horse related crime Helen Lacey       range of equipment and distribute Horse Watch signs. She
                                                                                                         formed a group called Horse Watch North Wales in 2010.           is always looking at ways to enhance the scheme and has
                                                                                                                                                                          recently trained a dedicated team of PCSO’s to assist her.
                                                                                                         Helen has volunteered tirelessly and single headedly as the
                                                                                                         Horse Watch coordinator volunteer, covering the 6 counties
                                                                                                         that make up the North Wales area. She often volunteers over
                                                                                                         70 hours per month despite being a full time carer for her
                                                                                                         disabled son.

                                                                                                                                                                            Helen pictured with Police Support Volunteer
                                                                                                                                                                                Coordinator, Diane Jones, at the awards

Meet North Yorkshire volunteer
                                                                                                                                                                          Other aspects of her volunteering include scanning loose
                                                                                                                                                                          horses, moving horses off the highway and assisting
                                                                                                                                                                          abandoned and fly grazing horses and ponies. Of note these
                                                                                                                                                                          are done invariably alone and in all weathers day or night.
                                                                                                                                                                          Her very successful strike rate with identification of loose
                                                                                                                                    Helen receiving her award             horses and ownership is commendable.
North Yorkshire Police (NYP) has a strong            something useful.
history of volunteering with over 170 Police                                                                                                                              On top of all this, Helen also provides input for Pony Club
Support Volunteers and around 190 Special            “It’s good to feel part of a team and I would       This commitment has allowed her to gain the trust of the         awareness badges, is a volunteer carriage driving instructor
Constables currently giving up their own time        recommend volunteering to anyone if they are        equine community and she is widely recognised as a point of      for the Riding for the Disabled Association and has two horses
                                                     after varied, interesting and worthwhile work.”     contact for the public with equine issues, security advice and   of her own which she rides and drives.
to help police North Yorkshire.                                                                          support both day and night.
                                                                                                                                                                          Helen won the ‘Your Champion volunteer of the year award’
Retired sales and marketing director, John           Detective Sergeant Ash Khan of the Major                                                                             for the Wrexham and Flintshire areas in the Trinity Mirror
Padbury, is a Police Support Volunteer in the        Crime Unit added: “John is one of a number                                                                           North Wales/ Scottish Power Foundation ‘Your Champion’
                                                     of volunteers in the Major Crime Unit who                                                                            awards 2015.
Major Crime Unit at Harrogate.
                                                     provide valuable support to the team. We
John joined NYP in June 2014 and works               are very grateful for the fact that he gives up
two days a week, providing a wide range of           his free time to help us with tasks that would
support for his colleagues in the unit.              otherwise take an officer or skilled member of
                                                     staff out of action. His help ultimately helps us
He said: “When I retired I was looking               provide a better service to victims of crime.”
for some regular voluntary work, and
volunteering for NYP sounded like it would
be varied and interesting. It’s also a bonus                                                              Helen with her two horses
working within what is one of the nicest                                                                  Sion and Dante
working environments I have ever worked in!
                                                                                                         There are now almost 3,000 members within the Horse Watch
“My work can involve anything from proof-                                                                North Wales group and around 600 members with OWL
reading transcripts of interviews, assisting at                                                          (online watch link). Helen singlehandedly completes the
                                                                                                         administration of Horse Watch and regularly liaises with other
inquests, to transporting urgent items across                                                            Horse Watches around the UK.
the force. It’s a very different type of work
to my past employment in the aerospace                                                                   The tack and equipment security marking scheme Helen
                                                                                                         created is highly successful and she attends various venues
industry. I get a lot of satisfaction knowing that                                                       including stores, livery yards, shows, pony clubs organized       Helen pictured at the awards with
I am helping members of the team and doing                                                               events to promote Horse Watch, to security mark a diverse         Sharon Davies

  10   VOLUNTEERING MATTERS ISSUE 13                                                                                                                                               ISSUE 13 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS                  11
INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13
Meet Staffordshire
Citizens in Policing
On a clear day, you can see forever...and it             Local officer, PCSO Peter Johnson says, “In
certainly feels like that from certain locations high    my opinion, these volunteers must be the most
over the town of Biddulph, in the far north of           successful Community Speedwatch group in
Staffordshire.                                           the Staffordshire Moorlands, if not the County.
                                                         Their efforts are greatly appreciated by the local
Like many communities, Biddulph has had its share        officers, but even more importantly, by the local
of challenges over the years, but fortunately            community. John really is valued by the team and
it’s been blessed with a number of strong and            the continuing success of Biddulph Speedwatch
dedicated volunteers from the community who              would not have been possible without his
have worked alongside, and in support of, the            leadership.”                                                                                                       Hazel Gibson one of the recipients’ of the
local officers in order to enhance the quality of life                                                                                                                    intercoms fitted by Tony with her local PCSO
in their area.                                           John says, “I really enjoy doing it and it’s good
                                                         to know that I’m doing my bit to keep my local
                                                         community safe & reassured.”
                                                                                                              The Biddulph Pro-Active Neighbourhood Watch              provide wireless intercom systems for elderly and
                                                         John’s Team are well known to the Community          team was introduced in May 2006. Ten dedicated           otherwise vulnerable persons living in the local
                                                         Speed Watch Coordinator for Staffordshire,           volunteers, led by Tony & Margaret Worthington,          community.
                                                         Michelle Shaker, who said, “Staffordshire Safer      agreed to supplement the activities of Police
                                                         Roads Partnership gratefully acknowledges and        Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and                     In order to make sure that the maximum benefit
                                                         appreciates the hard work that the volunteers such   Neighbourhood Officers in the Biddulph area.               was achieved from the funding, they spent a
                                                         as John Kerby put into keeping people safe on our                                                               considerable amount of time researching different
                                                         roads.”                                              As well as providing additional high visibility            products & negotiating with suppliers. They were
                                                                                                              support at busy events such as the Christmas               careful to ensure that no specialist skills were
 Volunteer John Kerby                                    Home Watch Volunteers - Tony &                       light switch on, Continental Market, Armistice             needed to fit the units, which then enabled Tony to
 & PCSO Johnson                                          Margaret Worthington                                 Parade and fun days, they                                                         fit them free of charge, with
                                                                                                                                                        “We can’t under estimate the
                                                                                                              have never hesitated in                                                           the labour charges saved
                                                                                                                                                   contribution Tony and Margaret have
                                                                                                              assisting with community                                                          being spent on additional
                                                                                                                                                       made in the Knypersley area of
Police Support Volunteer John Kerby                                                                           leaflet drops including crime                                                     units.
                                                                                                                                                 Biddulph. Both play an important role in
John has been part of the Biddulph Community                                                                  prevention advice. This was
                                                                                                                                                  the resident group and have supported One of the recipients, Hazel
Speedwatch team for over 7 years now. As a                                                                    a highly successful local
                                                                                                                                                    local officers over a number of years       Gibson (pictured), said,
group, they’ve not just sat back, turning out                                                                 initiative, which also attracted
                                                                                                                                                     now. They both continue to play an         “It’s so simple to use and
occasionally expecting others to look after tasks                                                             recognition Forcewide.
                                                                                                                                                    active role in the community and it’s       I’m happy with the set up.
such as the maintenance side. Instead, with John’s                                                            In recognition of their
                                                                                                                                                   greatly appreciated by myself and the        It saves me having to get
leadership, they ensure that all the equipment is                                                             achievements, the team was
                                                                                                                                                          residents of Knyperlsey.”             up and I can now decide
properly managed, cleaned & maintained. John                                                                  awarded the 2010 National
                                                                                                                                                              PCSO Peter Johnson                whether to answer the door
also regularly links in with the local officers to re-                                                        Justice Award for Community
                                                                                                              Reassurance, and in the same                                                      or not, all from my lounge. It
assess the current hotspots, and plan how they can
                                                                                                              year, the head of the team, Tony Worthington, was          helps  me enormously,    as it takes me a long time to
best be addressed.
                                                                                                              awarded the Staffordshire County Neighbourhood             get to the door”
John also spends time keeping the existing                                                                    Watch Award.
                                                                                                                                                                         In recognition of their on-going efforts on behalf
members informed and coordinated, as well as
                                                                                                              However, Tony & Margaret aren’t the type to rest           of the community Margaret & Tony Worthington
welcoming new members, which is essential to
                                                                                                              on their laurels, and have continued to volunteer          were invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham
maintain the scheme for the future.
                                                                                                              in the service of their local community. Their             Palace last year. Tony said, “It’s a matter of putting
In recognition of his continuing efforts, John                                                                latest initiative involved applying to the People          something back into the community. We’ve lived
has previously been awarded the Divisional                                                                    Power Fund sponsored by the Police & Crime                 here all our life and are very well aware of the
Commanders Certificate of Appreciation,                                                                       Commissioner for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis.             needs of the local community. We simply feel that
                                                          Tony & Margaret Worthington
presented by Assistant Chief Constable Jon Drake.                                                             Their application was for £2,000 to enable them to we are best placed to fulfil some of those needs.”

  12   VOLUNTEERING MATTERS ISSUE 13                                                                                                                                            ISSUE 13 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS            13
INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13
Meet SOUTH YORKSHIRE VOLUNTEER
                                                                                                           Brian Scott , who is 75 years of age, has been a
                                                                                                           volunteer with South Yorkshire Police for the last 6
                                                                                                           years, and volunteers in two different roles: Lifewise
                                                                                                           Volunteer and Coroners Court Usher Volunteer.

                                                                                                           Brian, originally from Halifax, was an engineer by trade
                                                                                                           between the ages of 15 -65 and worked for a number
                                                                                                           of organisations before moving to Doncaster due to the
                                                                                                           re-location of the company he was working for at the
                                                                                                           time. He retired at the age of 65 and ran his own taxi
                                                                                                           company for a few years before deciding to become a
                                                                                                           volunteer.

                                                                                                           Of his motivation to volunteer, Brian says “I really enjoy
                                                                                                                                                                                     Brian involved in role play as part of
National Volunteer Police Cadets
                                                                                                           being with people and missed the camaraderie of office
                                                                                                           life that I had when I was working”. Brian currently                                a fraud and scams scenario
                                                                                                           volunteers one day a week for Doncaster Coroners
                                                                                                           Court, a role brokered by South Yorkshire Police, where
                                                                                                                                                                          smoothly. Brian’s favourite events are our regular “Get
                                                                                                           he carries out Court Usher duties. This involves getting
                                                                                                                                                                          Lifewise” sessions, which are aimed at keeping the older
Volunteer Police Cadets fulfill their #IWill pledge    Ed Sherry, The National VPC Programme Director      the families prepared on arrival at Court and assisting
                                                                                                                                                                          generation safe, and cover topics such as distraction
to double membership to 10,000 young people.           said ‘This expansion of cadet numbers has been      the Coroner by reading witness statements. “I really
                                                                                                                                                                          burglary and rogue traders.
At the Buckingham Palace launch of the cross           overseen by a small dedicated National team         enjoy the responsibility that this role brings, particularly
party ‘#IWill ‘campaign which aims to get more         supported by grants from the Youth United           working in an office environment where I am able to            “I love volunteering at the older people’s events– and
                                                                                                           interact with colleagues”.                                     not just because I am older than most of the attendees!
young people involved in social action, the            Foundation. We believe that with the correct
National Volunteer Police Cadets (National VPC)        infrastructure, membership could increase to                                                                       I get involved in the scenarios as a role-play actor
                                                                                                           Additionally, Brian volunteers each week at the
pledged to support Police forces to double the         28,000 cadets. As each cadet is expected to                                                                        and play the part of a victim in an online scam. The
                                                                                                           Lifewise Centre. Featuring a purpose built set;
                                                                                                                                                                          audience enjoy it and learn a lot, plus we get great
membership to 10,000 by 2020. The National             volunteer 3 hours every month, it would see the     Lifewise is an interactive safety centre for South
                                                                                                                                                                          feedback”.
VPC Team are pleased to announce that, with the        young people volunteering over 1 million hours      Yorkshire communities, developed in partnership by the
support of Police Forces and grants                                   every year in support of their       Community Safety Departments of both South Yorkshire           Despite being a busy volunteer, Brian still finds time to
from the Youth United Foundation                                      communities.‘                        Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue. The centre         go on walks into Derbyshire, as a member of Barnsley
this challenging pledge has been                                                                           is used to educate visitors about safety and citizenship       Mountaineering Club. He has also completed an Open
achieved in just over 2 years.                                        Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer   with the ultimate aim of reducing crime and improving          University degree in psychology since retiring, simply to
                                                                      at the Metropolitan Police Service   quality of life.                                               learn something completely new.
One of the key aims of the VPC                                        (MPS) said ‘The Mayor and the
                                                                                                           The Lifewise Centre works with different vulnerable            South Yorkshire Police Project Officer Lisa Porter,
programme is to involve a diverse                                     Commissioner’s target to reach       groups and delivers inputs around:
group of young people and membership across            5,000 Cadets by April 2016 is within sight                                                                         who co-ordinates volunteer activity tells us “Brian is a
                                                                                                                                                                          reliable, dedicated volunteer and a welcome addition to
the country stands at 32% of the cadets from black     and the programme in the MPS is still truly         •   Road safety
                                                                                                                                                                          the team at Lifewise. He always has a smile on his face
and minority ethnic backgrounds. Each Cadet            representative, 54% of our cadets are BME, 47%                                                                     and his calm, unflappable manner ensures that things
unit is also expected to have at least 25% of their    female and over 34% are vulnerable in some way.     •   Fire safety
                                                                                                                                                                          always run smoothly. I cannot thank Brian enough for
members from crime-vulnerable backgrounds,             The VPC in London is a huge success and we are      •   Personal safety                                            all that he does.”
who with the support of peer role models develop       very proud of all the young people, volunteers,
positive lifestyles.                                   staff and officers involved.’                       •   Online safety

There are a numerous outstanding stories across                                                            •   Anti-bullying awareness
the UK, including Police Scotland, Greater
                                                                                                           •   Drug and alcohol awareness
Manchester, Lancashire and London who have all
seen rapid expansion of their programme in the                                                             •   Cycle safety
last few years.
                                                                                                           •   Targeted intervention
Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer, the National Police
Chief Council lead said ‘As we see this amazing                                                            •   Mobility scooter safety
growth in Volunteer Police Cadet numbers across
                                                                                                           As a Lifewise Volunteer, Brian’s role is to meet and
the country, I am confident that for the first time,                                                       greet visitors to the centre, assist with hospitality and              Brian playing the part of a victim in a
the UK Police have a recognised and consistent                                                             be on hand to ensure that the various events run                  rogue trader/ distraction burglary scenario
programme of Volunteer Police Cadets.’

  14   VOLUNTEERING MATTERS ISSUE 13                                                                                                                                              ISSUE 13 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS               15
INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13 INSIDE THIS ISSUE MEET CITIZENS IN POLICING FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY - ISSUE 13
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