Volunteers
Volunteers play an important part in our policing family as they give up their free time to help us to continue to create a safer Staffordshire.
They make a real difference to policing as they bring with them a wide range of skills and experiences, fresh ideas and views and provide valuable support to our officers and staff.
Being a volunteer gives people a chance to get involved with policing, help build connections with local communities and be an advocate for their neighbourhoods and Staffordshire Police.
Get involved - become a volunteer
You can volunteer to work with us in many varied roles, including:
As a Cadet, you will get a unique opportunity to learn more about your local police force whilst working with local communities on exciting projects to improve your local area.
Tasks include:
- Work as part of a team and learn team-building skills
- Gain experience of the different policing sectors
- Attend cadet meetings on a weekly basis
- Take part in community events and fundraising activities
- Complete training and drills
- Help promote crime prevention initiatives
You’ll also attend a Cadet session once a week and complete the National Volunteer Police Cadet Programme, led by our Cadet Leaders and Cadet Leader Unit Commander.
More information:
Visit our Cadet page.
Cadet Leaders and Cadet Leader Unit Commanders are responsible for the running of local Cadet Units on a weekly basis alongside other Cadet Leaders.
Tasks include:
- Have responsibility over the Cadet Unit during their time within the organisation. Ensuring the development, wellbeing and safety of the Cadets
- Integrate the Cadets into the Unit ensuring that their best qualities are realised and fully supported to reach their maximum potential
- Undertake successful planning and day-to-day running of the unit, along with organising and establishing contacts for events
- Deliver the National Volunteer Police Cadet Programme to young people with the aim to encompass the workings of the Police and our service partners
- Intellectually and emotionally support the young people during classroom-based learning and out at events to ensure learning needs are met
- Understand and practice safeguarding procedures and have a willingness to undertake training internally within Staffordshire Police
- Actively encourage young people to have the confidence to engage with their local communities and get involved in local events
Dates/times of required availability
One specified evening per week (dependent on availability). 18:30 - 21:00 and occasional other evening/weekend activities on an ad hoc basis.
Role requirements
- Successful DBS checks
- Successful level 1 force vetting process
- Must have good communications and interpersonal skills in order to enable you to deal with young people aged between 13-17
- A good level of physical fitness to engage in activities
- Expected that the volunteer will hold or work towards a First Aid Qualification
The role of a Community Engagement Support volunteer will assist Police Officers, PCSO's and members of Police Staff/Crime Commissioner Staff by supporting local events within the community.
Tasks include:
- Distributing leaflets containing information regarding crime initiatives and local or Force wide information to residential addresses and business premises as required
- Engage with the community whilst representing the Force at local events held within Police premises or at alternate venues
- Support with the barrier at Police Headquarters to allow guests into Force led events and engage with guests as they enter the premises
- Support departments throughout the Force when requested
Dates/times of required availability
Flexible with hours agreed by the Neighbourhood Policing Team and yourself.
Role requirements
- Successful level 1 vetting
- Willing to have an active involvement in community based tasks for a reasonable period of time
- Demonstrate a good ability to retrieve and gather factual information and record information correctly
- Learn and keep up-to-date with Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Force-led initiatives
- A good level of physical fitness
- Excellent communication skills
The Multi Faith Chaplaincy will assist Staffordshire Police in its duty to provide spiritual needs to its officers, staff and volunteers. It will provide support and encouragement to all members of the police service, irrespective of whether or not they have a defined religious belief.
Multi-Faith Chaplains will seek to be befrienders who are willing to be a safe, secure, listening ear. They will recognise and respect the diverse nature of the police service, offering support and friendship to all irrespective of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation or disability.
Help make a difference in your local community by helping to reduce the speed that motorists travel through their village or town.
Tasks include:
- Identifying vehicles exceeding the speed limit using the provided handheld radar device
- Logging those vehicle details onto a log sheet
- Posting log sheets to be processed centrally by the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership
Dates/times of required availability
Volunteers dictate when they will go out, for how long and at which of their chosen locations they will stand. Schemes can only operate in daylight hours and cannot be operational in the rain or snow.
Role requirements
- A good level of fitness to carry any equipment required and the ability to stand for long periods of time in various temperatures
- Any medical conditions must be disclosed when signing up and will be assessed prior to training
Crime Prevention Panel volunteers assist police officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and members of police staff at local events within the community.
Tasks include:
- To support the Neighbourhood Policing Teams in problem solving local low level, high demand issues.
- To attend community surgeries and assist with receipt of public concerns and complaints, forming a direct link between the community and the local Neighbourhood Policing Team.
- To promote community safety and crime prevention initiatives and provide relevant crime prevention information and signposting to members of the public.
- To assist with the distribution and display of up to date local information provided by the Neighbourhood Teams and Intervention and prevention into communities.
- To help identify and target areas and community groups to distribute information.
- To attend community events alongside Staffordshire Police promoting crime prevention and community safety.
Role requirements
- Successful force vetting
- Be willing to have an active involvement in community based tasks for a reasonable period of time
- Demonstrate a good ability to retrieve and gather factual information and record information correctly
- Learn and keep up to date with Neighbourhood Policing Team and force led initiatives
- A good level of physical fitness
- Ability to process information and deliver that to the local community in the correct manner
- Excellent communication skills
The role of Custody Appropriate Adult is an important safeguarding service which provides independent support to detainees who may be vulnerable or living with mental health issues. Custody Appropriate Adults are there to assist the detainee to ensure they understand what is happening at the police station during the interview and investigative stages.
Note: the role will not require you to give any legal advice to the detainee. The purpose of the role is for you to be available to assist in addition to the current service provided by partner agencies.
Tasks include:
- Giving support, assistance and advice to the detainee to ensure that all elements of the interview and investigative process are fully understood
- Ensure that the police act fairly
- Aid communication between the detainee, the police and others as required
- Ensure that the detainee is given the opportunity to inform when they do not fully understand information or the process
- Have knowledge and understanding around safeguarding and a willingness to undertake training internally at Staffordshire Police
- Be responsible and accountable for achieving the highest possible standards within the role undertaken.
Dates/times of required availability
Weekdays, evenings and weekends on an ad hoc basis as and when required (personal availability will be requested).
Role requirements
- Successful level 1 vetting
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to deal with detainees and police officers / staff members
- Driving license is desirable for travel to and from facilities
- Understanding of safeguarding
An Independent Advisory Group (IAG) member acts as a 'critical appraiser' who provide independent, supportive challenge to the Police, and who provide informed information back to their community on key police matters. IAG members are volunteers who aspire to represent themselves and their community, and who are not linked to the judiciary, or employed or substantially connected to the 'police family'.
IAG members will, ideally, have broad expertise and links with diverse communities, so that they can articulate a wide range of viewpoints both individually and as a group.
Tasks include:
- Work constructively, both individually and as a team, to monitor, mentor and advice the Neighbourhood Police Leads on community Police matters
- Listen to, reflect and advocate the diverse experiences of local communities
- Ask probing and thought-provoking questions on behalf of communities, in order to be able to provide informed and insightful advice
- Review police force policies on a regular basis to ensure they are relevant and up-to-date, and written in a way that is easily understood
- Effectively and consistently contribute to the development of effective, consistent and constructive advice
- Improve trust and confidence in Staffordshire Police and the service which it provides
Dates/times of required availability
Quarterly meetings will take place at Staffordshire Police Headquarters, lasting between two and three hours. Dates and times to be agreed between IAG members and the Senior Police Officer responsible for the IAG.
Role requirements
- Successful level 1 vetting
- Ability to understand, retrieve and gather factual information and record that information correctly
- Good clear communication skills via telephone and in person
- Actively participate in meetings, if required, around this work
- Ability to work as part of a team and also individually on a specific task
- Attend awareness training at Staffordshire Police Headquarters, to understand the background to the role being undertaken
- Willing to attend ad hoc training sessions to increase knowledge and understanding around the area of business you will be involved in
Training
Initial training will take place at Staffordshire Police Headquarters. IAG members will be asked to attend quarterly meetings at Staffordshire Police HQ and would be required to work on an ad hoc basis from both HQ and various police stations throughout the County.
A Night-time Guardian volunteer will work together with partners in the night-time economy to help make the community safer. Patrolling the city centre at night to help and care for people in practical ways. Engaging with people on the streets to provide support to those who find themselves vulnerable.
Dates/times of required availability
Friday or Saturday night between the hours of 22:00 and 04:00
Role requirements
- Communication skills
- Good interpersonal skills
- Trustworthy
- Honesty and integrity
- Team worker
- Self-motivated
- Local knowledge
- A concern for your local community and the safety of night-time economy users
- Willingness to engage with the community
- Happy to collaborate with other agencies and projects
This volunteer role is to facilitate vulnerable victims & witnesses giving evidence at the Force remote live link site. This will include the setting up of the equipment and ‘meet & greet’ when the witness arrives at the live link location. To apply visit: Remote Evidence Facilitator (Volunteer) - Staffordshire Police (tal.net)
A Special Constable is volunteer police officer who play a vital role in our mission to create a safer Staffordshire.
They have the same powers as police officers and often work together with other officers to reduce crime, help communities and provide investigative assistance.
Working as a Special Constable, you will have the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to your local community.
Tasks include:
- Responding to 999 calls
- Foot and vehicle patrols
- Working in schools to provide advice on safety and crime
- Conduct house-to-house enquiries
- Road safety initiatives
- Present evidence in court
- Ensure safety and security at public events
- Offer crime prevent advice and promote force initiatives
- Dates/times of required availability
Role requirements
- Must be 18 years old or over
- Times will be agreed, but you will need to complete a minimum of 200 hours annually, equating to 16 hours per month
- Able to communicate effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds
- Ability to handle unpredictable situations and take decisive action
- Able to take initiative and work as a team
More information
Visit our Special Constables page.
The role of Vehicle Fleet Support is to assist Police Officers and PCSO's at police stations with washing of vehicles on a flexible basis to suit your availability and the needs of the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Tasks include:
- Clean the outside of vehicles using tools such as a jet washer, hose, bucket, sponge and cleaning products
- Vacuuming and cleaning the interior of vehicles under the supervision of a member of police staff
- Check the list supplied for items that should remain within the vehicle such as cones and flashing beacons that are in working order
- Replace any faulty or missing equipment
Dates/times of required availability
Times will be agreed between you and the Neighbourhood Policing Team, depending on the demand at each location.
Role requirements
- Successful NPPV level 2 vetting
- A good level of fitness to carry any equipment required and the ability to stand and bend for periods of time to complete tasks
- Ability to work methodically and show attention to detail
- Good communication skills to raise any issues or queries
Working as a Volunteer you can expect to:
- Make a difference and keep your local community safe.
- Work as part of a team and meet new people.
- Gain experience and skills to boost your CV.
How to Become a Volunteer
We need people who are:
- Keen to learn new things and undergo relevant training
- Community focused and want to make a difference in their local area
- Happy to work as part of a team to achieve aims and objectives
So if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit our current vacancies to apply.
You can also email volunteers@staffordshire.police.uk if you have any questions about becoming a volunteer or about the recruitment process.
The application process to becoming a volunteer
Step 1: Expression of interest form
Applicants need to complete and submit an expression of interest form.
On this form, applicants will submit some of their personal information and which role(s) they are interested in.
Step 2: Application form
Visit our current vacancies to complete an application form for the role in which you’re wanting to volunteer for.
Successful applicants will be offered an informal interview. Unsuccessful applicants will be placed on a reserve list or considered for an alternative role(s).
Step 3: Additional forms
A vetting form, ID card form and health questionnaire is emailed to the successful applicant for completion and returned alongside applicants identification.
Step 4: Vetting checks
The applicant's paperwork will then be passed to force's Vetting Department to begin the vetting checks.
This process can take around 3 - 5 months.
Step 5: Volunteering duties begin
Once the applicant has been granted vetting clearance, they will have an induction meeting and can begin their volunteering duties.
Frequently asked questions
You will gain new experiences and will be assisting Police Officers, Special Constables or Staff member which will give you an insight into how the police service works. It will allow you to develop your skills in areas such as communication, being part of a team and have the satisfaction of knowing that you are helping the Staffordshire Community.
All Police Support Volunteers will receive induction training on joining the organisation. The induction will brief you on certain expectations the Force place on all our staff and will cover data protection, health and safety and diversity. You will also receive induvial training for the specific role you are applying for and continued support will be provided throughout your time as a volunteer.
Academic qualifications are not necessary, however it is essential you are honest, have integrity and possess basic numeracy and literacy skills. You will also have a positive ad friendly approach towards the public, an ability to work in a team, together with a willingness to learn new skills.
The hours are flexible and can vary according to the role. We will seek to adapt hours to suit the individual person and their other commitments where possible.
Your volunteering role should not leave you out of pocket and you’ll be able to claim expenses for travelling to and from your place of duty.
Some role will be issued with a uniform where appropriate. All volunteers will be provided with an ID card to that enables the general public to recognise that you are a police support volunteer.
We aim to process your application as quickly as possible and keep you updated as appropriate. However, the process is complex and the time taken to complete it can vary. We aim to have the full recruitment process from submission of an application to appointment completed between two and three months.
Some minor criminal records will not stop you from joining Staffordshire Police as a volunteer but you must declare any convictions/cautions when you apply, even if it was a juvenile offence. Each application is considered on its own merits and against strict Home Office guidance.
We accept volunteer applications from outside the area but we do ask you to consider how far you travel as we will not pay expenses outside the force area.