Complaints against officers

[Fedster + 1,307]

In 2015 Theresa May announced she would extend the powers that chiefs can give volunteers

A new team of volunteer PCSO officers will be used to investigate criminal activity and resolve community issues, it has been confirmed.

In November, Kent Police became the first force to announce plans to recruit volunteer PCSOs after then Home Secretary Theresa May revealed she would be extending the powers police chiefs can give volunteers in 2015.

A spokesman for the force had said Chief Constable Alan Pughsley’s hoped for approximately 300 in total.

Last week the force launched its recruitment campaign for a pilot scheme in the West Division and released more details about the powers the new volunteers will have.

The “Community Policing Volunteers” will serve alongside officers from the Special Constabulary and will have similar powers to traditional PCSOs such as the power to request the name and address of someone committing ASB, some powers to control traffic and to place traffic signs and the power to enter premises to save life and/or prevent serious damage.

Volunteers will work to reduce crime and improve community safety, supporting police officers, responding to the needs of communities and supporting victims.

They will play a “vital role” in solving local problems and gathering useful evidence about criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, Kent Police said.

After five weekends of training, CPVs will be mentored by a PCSO until they are ready to work independently.

Kent Police want CPVs to specialise in horseback visible policing, dog walking and skill based investigation support in mental health, restorative justice and cybercrime.

A Kent Police spokesman said dog walking specialists will be encouraged to walk their dogs in uniform to engage with the public and other dog walkers to “gather intelligence and provide reassurance.”

The force already has a volunteer mounted unit.

Assistant Chief Constable Tony Blaker said: "We know from talking to many people that there is a strong interest in volunteering to support the police and the community, and this is a fantastic opportunity that we hope will attract people of all ages and backgrounds.

"We have a rich tradition of volunteers in Kent Police with a thriving Special Constabulary, a growing Volunteer Cadet Force and a multitude of people who help in support roles throughout the force.

"This new role will build on that and provide an invaluable service to both the police and the local community."

The scheme is open to all adults aged over 18 who can commit to 16 hours a month.

CPVs will wear a uniform and provide an “extra point of contact for members of the public, while also improving the communication flow to the police and back to the community.”

Training will start in April.

The volunteers will patrol a specific neighbourhood and work to resolve community issues.

A spokesman for Kent Police said review CPV powers after the pilot scheme is complete.

The force has said CPVs will not replace PCSOs but the number of community officers reduced from 387 in 2010 to 276 in 2017. 

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[Shmook + 532]

Their own dogs? 

If so, not a chance I would be taking mine on duty... 

[Hyphen + 693]

I see the idea behind it as dog walkers do tend to be out at odd hours and may hear and see things within the community.

Other than that the whole thing is a joke, I also don’t see how you can plan for volunteers to solve ongoing disputes and issues in the community. It can often take a lot of time and ongoing work with various partners, not impossible but certainly not the norm for people volunteering.

I just don’t get the idea at all. It seems another meaningless group of people in some sort of uniform who can’t really do anything.

Edited January 16, 2018 by Hyphen
Text added

[Burnsy2023 2,895]

58 minutes ago, Hyphen said:

I see the idea behind it as dog walkers do tend to be out at odd hours and may hear and see things within the community.

Other than that the whole thing is a joke, I also don’t see how you can plan for volunteers to solve ongoing disputes and issues in the community. It can often take a lot of time and ongoing work with various partners, not impossible but certainly not the norm for people volunteering.

I just don’t get the idea at all. It seems another meaningless group of people in some sort of uniform who can’t really do anything.

My force is quite clear what PCSOs remit is: engagement. Neighbourhood police officers are about enforcement. You don't need to solve any issues to be an effective PCSO, just talk to the right people and ask the right questions.

[Zulu 22 + 4,570]

It is just another way of Policing on the cheap. If you pay peanuts you get monkey's. If you pay nothing you get?  \I see no rush for part time volunteer M.P.'s, Doctors, Nurses, T.V. celebrities, etc, etc.

I thought that Policing was going mad, now I know it.

[Techie1 + 2,024]

You can be a specialist in dog walking? I never knew that. Is there a qualification? 

*checks calendar* It’s not 1st April. Hmmm. 

[Techie1 + 2,024]

And why do they need to be voluntary PCSOs when there’s already a concept of PSVs? 

[ParochialYokal 1,119]

I always thought that “walking the dog” was a euphemism...

 

Perhaps it might increase diversity within the police family by attracting such individuals whom would enjoy to do such activities in police uniform?

 

[miffy + 74]

Wonder if you can get an Advanced course in dog walking?  Rubbish idea the moment I heard about it. If some specials are failing to do their minimum hours, how can they encourage VPSCO to do the same amount of hours with a different work load...

[Indiana Jones + 1,082]

Maybe one could draw a force-issued copy of The Guardian with eye holes cut in it and submit 5x5's from park benches.

[obsidian_eclipse + 1,202]

It's so unfair, my Jack Russel always wanted to come on duty with me. If vpsco's can then the rest of us should be able to as well.

I hope the dogs get their own hi visibility jackets with a badge and Kevlar shoes.

Do the dogs have to be "vetted" haha

[MerseyLLB 8,426]

It's noteworthy that they haven't mentioned the most useful police volunteer scheme that Kent has signed up.

4x4 response.

http://www.southeast4x4response.org.uk/?q=node/18

They are basically volunteers with 4x4s who are being designated with traffic direction powers to assist with breakdowns, road closures for emergencies and so on. They also ca  help with missing person searches and the like.

Far more useful than dog walkers in a yellow jacket.

[Radman + 2,163]

Everyone knows my take on this - no point in employing people to tackle ASB issues if they aren't actually empowered or supported to tackle the issues...