ISSUE 13

Inside this issue Meet Citizens in Policing from across the Country 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 will now be used to inform the encouraging. new, national strategy for Citizens WELCOME in Policing. The survey was led “My thanks go to everyone who Volunteering has a long history, by ’s Chief has taken the time out of their traceable in Britain at least back to Constable Dave Jones who is the busy lives to complete the survey Neighbourhood Watch Conference 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 way ahead” 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 volunteered at least once in the last 12 December 2015, the objective thoughts on the advent of a months, a decrease compared to 2013- of the event was to make sure number of step changes which 14 (74%). However, the proportion Congratulations to GMP of people formally volunteering has that their key volunteers, police will eventually result in some remained similar compared to 2013-14 and other important partners considerable sea changes (42% and 41% respectively). It is safe Police Support Volunteer 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 need to start doing some things will: the police service and Forces need to 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 take this forward. reduce crime and provide increased Police Support support proactive volunteers across the reassurance within their communities. Volunteer with A vital aspect of this is partnership working, movement GMP for 11 months It is extremely important to recognise and Neighbourhood Watch look forward and gave birth to the commitment that our volunteers give to strengthening their relationships and • Be able to measure the effectiveness of the to policing, and one way of doing this is baby Sophie on throughout National Volunteers Week. working together with partners to ensure the movement 9th November. This year celebrations will be extended Neighbourhood Watch movement remains and the event will be running from the Meerna says, “I am • Actively participate in the government’s 1-12 June. Volunteering Matters would effective in the changing world of crime like to be able to publish a vibrant mix thoroughly enjoying Modern Crime Prevention Strategy of activities and celebrations that will Sophie, who is prevention and policing. hopefully take place across Volunteers’ growing so quickly • Be able to prevent new and emerging Week showing how Forces have The event was fully sponsored enabling it celebrated those volunteers who give up already. I am crimes alongside other partners to take place at no cost to the taxpayer their time to serve their communities. We hoping to be back look forward to hearing from you. and there were various key speakers and volunteering in • Be able to secure adequate resources and I hope you enjoy this issue and thank workshops throughout the two days. funding at a national and force area level you to all those who have contributed. spring and 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: [email protected] [email protected]

2 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS ISSUE 13 ISSUE 13 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS 3 GMP Museum record high visitors BUILDING LOYALTY THROUGHOUT The Museum was founded in 1981. Together, they bring a wealth of It not only collects and preserves experience, skill and expertise. There THE VOLUNTEER LIFE CYCLE archive material and objects relating are various volunteer roles such by Susan J. Ellis, President of Energize, Inc • Training useful to the role and good instructions 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 GMP would like to say a massive • If the invitation to serve seems to welcome Recognise that more volunteers leave because have been steadily growing at the individual talents thank you to all the volunteers they are under-utilised than because they are museum, the social media presence overworked! At least being overworked means supporting the museum, has grown and the museum currently they are needed. acknowledging that without them the Candidate > Applicant 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. • Move on/up to a different role in the The museum volunteers play a vital Accepted Volunteer > Being Oriented/ 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 well as university students and recent can still remain a supporter (if you offer that Placed in Assignment > Starting Out chance and keep in touch). Alumni volunteers can graduates who are or have studied even come back to service or help out in short-term related subjects such as criminology, • Staff or volunteer supervisor/buddy is roles - again, if you keep communication open and prepared to coach and support the newcomer ask. museum studies, history and PGCEs.

4 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS ISSUE 13 ISSUE 13 VOLUNTEERING MATTERS 5 status and have become recognised PARISH PRIEST OF WEST YORKSHIRE as Police Support Volunteers and so now I find myself wearing two different WITH THREE VOLUNTEERING ROLES hats, that of Chaplain and Musician. As time has gone on whilst supporting Paul replied: ‘Everything has been a 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 Paul’s skills benefit the communities his roles. Paul has recently worked roles within West Yorkshire Police, Force he serves, the Church and West on a National project to improve the Chaplin, Safer Roads Special and Force Yorkshire Police and are transferable Church’s response to issues around 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 2 011. 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 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 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

Other aspects of her volunteering include scanning loose horses, moving horses off the highway and assisting Meet North Yorkshire volunteer 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 North Yorkshire Police (NYP) has a strong something useful. horses and ownership is commendable. 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’ awards 2015. Major Crime Unit at Harrogate. of volunteers in the Major Crime Unit who 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 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 leaflet drops including crime units. Police Support Volunteer John Kerby 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 or not, all from my lounge. It assess the current hotspots, and plan how they can Reassurance, and in the same helps me enormously, as it takes me a long time to best be addressed. year, the head of the team, Tony Worthington, was 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 of the community Margaret & Tony Worthington welcoming new members, which is essential to However, Tony & Margaret aren’t the type to rest were invited to a Garden Party at Buckingham maintain the scheme for the future. on their laurels, and have continued to volunteer 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 Meet SOUTH YORKSHIRE VOLUNTEER Brian Scott , who is 75 years of age, has been a volunteer with 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 being with people and missed the camaraderie of office Brian involved in role play as part of life that I had when I was working”. Brian currently a fraud and scams scenario National Volunteer Police Cadets 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 the Coroner by reading witness statements. “I really to double membership to 10,000 young people. said ‘This expansion of cadet numbers has been 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 young people involved in social action, the Foundation. We believe that with the correct interact with colleagues”. not just because I am older than most of the attendees! I get involved in the scenarios as a role-play actor National Volunteer Police Cadets (National VPC) infrastructure, membership could increase to Additionally, Brian volunteers each week at the and play the part of a victim in an online scam. The pledged to support Police forces to double the 28,000 cadets. As each cadet is expected to 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% • Fire safety 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. 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 Manchester, Lancashire and London who have all • Drug and alcohol awareness 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.’

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