These webpages provide a framework for volunteering in the police service and an overview of the issues that need to be considered when developing a volunteer programme. They bring together good practice and incorporate learning from forces that have established programmes of police support volunteer activity. 

We aim to:

• Ensure that police volunteers are managed effectively, and are used to add value to, rather than replace, the work carried out by paid staff and officers.
• Increase the numbers of people volunteering with the police, and the range of activities that they do.
• Encourage, through volunteering, greater engagement with all of the diverse communities that the police serve.
• Improve the service that the police provides to the public through effective use of volunteers, reducing the fear of crime through greater community involvement.
• Ensure that police volunteers are valued and recognised as an important part of the extended police family.

We want to promote and share your best practice ideas and would welcome the submission of documents relating to volunteer programmes. Please send your documents to the PSV mailbox.

Latest News -

Special Constable and Police Support Volunteer Awards 2012

The nomination period for the Special Constable & Police Support Volunteer Awards 2012 has now closed. Details of the venue and date of the ceremony will be communicated to forces in due course.

Centre of Excellence

A new concept has been developed for sharing expertise amongst police support volunteer practitioners.  A list has been compiled of individuals with particular expertise in relation to aspects of police support volunteering.  These individuals have agreed to answer queries relating  to their area of expertise.  Further information about the Centre of Excellence initiative is on the Police Support Volunteer forum on POLKA.  Please register for POLKA and join the Police Support Volunteer forum if you have not already done so, at https://polka.pnn.police.uk/en/.  

If you have any difficulties registering please contact servicedesk@npia.pnn.police.uk or ring 0800 496 9870. It should be noted that the forum is intended primarily for police support volunteer practitioners.   

Volunteering England and Trade Union Congress Charter

A Charter for strengthening relations between paid employees and volunteers has been produced by Volunteering England and the Trade Union Congress.  It details some core principals that should be taken into account by any organisation that engages volunteers.  Read the Charter here.