Police Volunteers in North & West Devon Thanked By Senior Officers

Volunteers and Special Constables who give their time to help North & West Devon communities have been thanked this week.

The event at Barnstaple police station took place during National Volunteers Week and senior officers attending included Superintendent Toby Davies, Chief Inspector Graham Thomas and Inspector Mike Warriner.

The get together on Mon 5 June was organised by Devon & Cornwall Police’s Citizens in Policing Team (CiP) and guests were able to swap stories and discuss their roles with each other.

Marea Logan, Development Officer for Citizens in Policing, said: “We have many dedicated Specials and Police Volunteers across North & West Devon and they give many hours of their free time to assist police colleagues in a variety of roles. For example, we have a Chaplain, vehicle checkers, health & wellbeing volunteers and role players who help with officer training scenarios.”

“Some of our volunteers are retired people who want to give something back to their community and others juggle the volunteering with us alongside their regular paid jobs. We wanted to have a get together to recognise their commitment.”  

Volunteers give many hours of their time across the force area. For example in North & West Devon last month (May) Special Constables were on duty for 292 hours and Volunteers gave 300 hours of their free time.  

Across the local policing area of North & West Devon there are 14 Specials and 24 Volunteers. 

Chief Insp Graham Thomas added: “I would like to add my thanks to members of the Special Constabulary and Volunteers who selflessly give up so much of their time to help the public. They are a real asset to our local policing area and make a real difference to our communities.”

Special Constables have the same uniform and arrest powers as regular paid police constables and volunteer 16 hours a month to their roles.

National Volunteers Week took place from 1-7 June this year.

For more information about volunteering please visit www.devon-cornwall.police.uk

You can follow on Twitter @DCPolVolunteers