| Message sent by |
| Naveenat Sahota (Police, Local Comms, Thames Valley) |
Thames Valley Police is supporting Volunteers’ Week this week, giving us an opportunity to thank all our dedicated volunteers that make real difference by helping to keep our communities safe in the Thames Valley.
In Thames Valley, we have over 1200 volunteers supporting officers and staff. Their vital contribution helps to make the Thames Valley a safer place to live and work.
This number is made up of over 600 Special Constables, approximately 530 Police Support Volunteers and approximately 110 Police Cadets. This group of willing individuals provided Thames Valley Police with over 400,000 hours of additional support in 2014/15.
Jason Spencer has been volunteering with Thames Valley Police as a Special Constable, he has provided an insight into his role as a volunteer, the inspiration behind choosing to volunteer and how he makes a difference through his volunteer role.
What role does he play as a volunteer?
I am currently a Special Inspector for Bracknell Forest LPA responsible for approximately 20 Special Constables.
How long has he been a volunteer/involved with TVP?
I have been volunteering for just over three years.
Why does he volunteer and what does he get out of it?
I was bought up by my parents who believed, if you’re ever in a position to help you have a moral obligation to do so. These values inspired me to take up my role as a volunteer Special Constable in the area that I live because, I firmly believe it has a positive bearing on the community at large. Very few roles in life have such a vital community impact and front line policing is certainly one of them. Volunteering as a Special Constable has taught me some very valuable life skills such as communication, compassion, patience and confidence to name but a few. Also, it’s given me a great insight into how Police and communities interact and the amazing officers who day after day put their life on the line to make a real difference. It can be on occasions be very humbling.
How does his role make a difference to TVP?
As Special Constables we are able to play a very active and vital role in policing our communities by supporting our regular colleagues. In Bracknell Forest, we work hard to free up police officers from some of the more mundane policing tasks allowing them to focus on some of the more impactful front line duties. In addition, as part of our role as Special Constables we are able to operate independently from police officers and run operations on our own to reduce crime in our communities and remove repeat offenders from our streets.
If you are interested in volunteering with Thames Valley Police, please visit: http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/joinus/joinus-volunteering.htm Follow @ThamesVP and get involved #VolunteersWeek