As part of national Volunteers’ Week (1st-7th June) Hampshire Constabulary are recognising the valuable contribution these members of the public make to the policing family on the Isle of Wight.
Later today (Monday) a celebrating volunteers event will be held at the Riverside Centre in Newport. Volunteers range from administration support volunteers to Special Constables. A total of 45 of them will receive certificates to thank them for their work at the event.
In addition a recruitment event is also being held between 16:00 and 17:30 today at the Riverside Centre in Newport for anyone interested in becoming a Police Support Volunteer, a Special Constable, or a member of the Independent Advisory Group that assists with policing on the Island.
Police Support Volunteers
Volunteers assist Police Officers, Special Constables, PCSO’s, and Police Staff in various capacities to enable the force to focus on community priorities and visible policing.
You could be carrying out tasks as varied as organising community meetings or researching community issues and crime trends. Volunteering is an excellent way to gain valuable skills, enhance your CV, or to give something back to your local community and is flexible around the time you have to spare.
To volunteer, you need to be of good character without any previous criminal convictions. To find out more send an e-mail to [email protected].
Special Constabulary
Special Constables are volunteers who work closely with regular officers to help police their communities. They have the same powers as a regular police officer and wear the same uniform. They are initially posted to neighbourhood and prevention teams, or response and patrol teams, and are expected to deal with a range of incidents appropriately and safely.
Being a Special Constable is a challenging and rewarding role. Hampshire Constabulary are looking for people who can empathise with others and listen to their needs. They need to be willing to commit their time to Hampshire Constabulary in order to help protect their community.
To become a Special Constable, you must be at least 18 years old, meet the required medical and fitness standards and be willing to give a minimum of 16 hours every month on a voluntary basis.
For more information about being a Special Constable you can e-mail [email protected].
The Isle of Wight’s Independent Advisory Groups (IAG’s)
Hampshire Constabulary have 2 groups on the Island, 1 for adults and 1 that’s been launched for people aged between 16 and 24 who feel they may have an interest in the emergency services or who want to give something back to their local community.
The purpose of an IAG is to hold policing to account on behalf of the community, whether that be regarding policies and practices within daily policing or providing a community perspective on specific incidents. There are opportunities for members to: ‘ride along’ with officers to better understand operational policing, be involved in scrutinising stop and search activity and hate crime investigations, and the force’s response to domestic abuse. It’s an opportunity to really make a difference and ensure the thoughts and concerns of the community served are represented.
Do not feel you need to have a background in working with blue light services to be a member, in fact it is better if you don’t. The group meets around 4 times a year, plus being called together to advise around key events.
As part of the IAG for young people you won’t represent any particular community or group, so there’s no pressure, you’ll just represent yourself and give your own views. Everyone sees things from a different perspective and that helps to give a different, and independent, view that helps the force to have a better grasp of the community’s ideas, thoughts and feelings.
Hampshire Constabulary are also interested in speaking to people from across the community to ensure that diverse and minority groups are represented so of course English does not have to be your first language.
There are some forms to be filled in, as some standard vetting has to be undertaken, but help can be given with these. The meetings are usually held in the early evening and help with transport for young people may be available.
If you, or anyone you know, is interested in applying to be involved with either of the Isle of Wight IAG groups then email [email protected].
