This week (2-8 June) Cumbria Police are recognising the amazing contributions that volunteers make to our organisation.
Volunteers hold various different roles within the constabulary such as Police Support Volunteers (PSVs), Special Constables (volunteer police officers), cadets and cadet leaders, who all give up their free time to help keep Cumbria safe.
Over the past year, a team of 37 Special Constables volunteered 11,191 hours with 4000 duties assisting both response and rural officers, and 260 duties policing some of the county’s major events and operations. These hours volunteered equate to almost six full time officers throughout the year.
The force is also supported by 65 PSVs in roles in our cyber, rural, road safety and quality assurance departments. We also work closely with many young people across the county as part of our cadet programme and are supported by 24 volunteer cadet leaders.
This week on our social media channels we’ll be highlighting some of the incredible work our volunteers do.
Inspector Nick Oliver said: “It’s so important to acknowledge the incredible work of our volunteers who contribute their spare time to support Cumbria Police.
“This week provides us with an excellent opportunity to showcase their work, which often goes unseen.
“Volunteers are an essential part of the force, and I would like to say thank you to all of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication over the past year, it really does make a difference.”
Special Constable recruitment is currently open, and you can find out more information this week on what a Special Constable does and how to apply for the role.
Special Sergeant Steve Wright said: “I joined the Special Constabulary with the vision to join fulltime, however, my fulltime career took me on a different path and being a Special Constable allows me to have a second career, which I find really rewarding.
“You see people from all walks of life, usually we meet people at the lowest and being able to help them, even in a small way, makes me feel like I am making a difference.
“I am an authorised blue light driver and work mainly independently or tutoring young in-service Special Constables, we attend all manner of 101/999 calls. I am treated with the same respect as a fulltime officer and expected to undertake the same tasks.”
Insp Oliver added: “We are currently recruiting Special Constables directly into the force’s Neighbourhood Policing Teams aligning with the governments Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee.
“I would encourage anyone who is inspired by some of the work we’ll be highlighting this week, to get in touch with us to see if volunteering as a Special Constable could be for you.”
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “I want to thank all police volunteers for their dedication to their roles within policing.
“The work of volunteers is invaluable and an integral part of our services. Simply put, volunteers add incredible value and worth to the policing of our county.
“As local residents, they know their patch better than anyone and they are trusted within their communities. Volunteers really do help keep our towns and villages safe.
“This also continues a tradition going back to the creation of the modern police service, one of policing by consent. It recognises that, as Sir Robert Peel stated in 1836 - the police are the public and the public are the police.
“I would encourage anyone interested in volunteering to work with the Police to apply – together we can and will protect Cumbria.”