In Bradford police are recruiting new volunteers to support the police in their work.
Already, 10 new applicants are set to take up post in the Bradford South Division with 20 more expected to join them.
Jenny Thompson is the Head Volunteer at Bradford South Division and has worked in a number of roles during her time in the police. She is encouraging others to offer their skills and says it’s worthwhile: “I started volunteering when I was 16 and slowly worked through the departments. I wanted to join the police and this is a good way to get that experience.
“The volunteers are able to help police with some of their duties which can sometimes take a lot of time. This allows the officers to get on with other things.
“We try to utilise the specific skills of volunteers and put them in the departments that suit them. This way they get the most out of it, as do the police.
“There are currently 14 volunteers in the Bradford South Division assigned to various departments that include office based work, community contact points, the Identification Unit and work with witnesses.
“I started off working on School Liaison, going out and speaking to the children, I have also done a lot of work around the Hate Crime Scrutiny Panel, the Video Identification Unit, Recruitment and also Administration for various offices.
“Obviously having experience in the Police Service helps you learn a bit more about it and it was very useful to have that knowledge during my Criminology degree.
“If you have actually been there and seen it first hand, it can be an invaluable experience. It looks good on your CV and shows you are committed.”
PC Jane Dickerson helps support the volunteers at Bradford South and added:
“Volunteering in the Police is not just for young people, middle age people who may be out of work or even exclusive to the elderly, it’s about a whole range of people who want to be involved for a whole range of reasons.
“It’s their skills that we want them to bring to us so that we can utilise them in the best possible way. They can assist us and we can assist them.
“If they can give a regular commitment, even if its just two hours on a Monday morning, but they can come in each week, that’s perfect for us. Whatever department we put them in, we know they are going to be there and they will have a task to undertake.
“It’s entirely up to the volunteer if they want to be posted in an area that they live.”
Lead for Volunteers at Bradford South, Tong and Wyke Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Osman Khan said:
“In my particular area, we have volunteers who work on the police contact points at Queenbury and Wyke which allows the PCSOs to go out and spend more time in the community they serve.
“I just think that they do an absolute fantastic job for us, because without the additional support from those who give up their free time, we would not be able to provide such a high standard of service.”
