Met police firearms

[Fedster + 1,307]

Successful applicants will receive training and mentoring from full time officers.

A force is recruiting Police Community Support Volunteers (PCSVs) to provide a uniformed presence in communities.

The role will see volunteers support frontline policing in neighbourhoods across Durham, where they will be mentored by full time officers.

PCSVs will receive training to take part in foot patrol, help solve basic crime enquiries, assist in local incidents and, the force says, get to the heart of neighbourhood issues.

They will also provide support for planned operations and will work with victims and witnesses where appropriate.

Durham Constabulary Inspector Kevin Tuck said: “This is a new volunteering role which will give ordinary people the chance to do something extraordinary in their communities.

“We’re looking for positive, public-spirited people to volunteer in the heart of their local communities and build relationships with those who live and work there.

“Successful candidates will be given support and training within neighbourhood teams to strengthen community links, providing additional visibility, reassurance and familiarity.

“This non-confrontational role is a great opportunity for people to give something back to their community, while making friends and developing life skills”.

Applicants must be able to commit a minimum of four hours a week for at least 18 months and will be subject to a vetting process.

Ron Hogg, Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “I am very excited about this innovative initiative. It will give people the opportunity to make a real difference by working alongside front line officers and providing valuable reassurance and visibility within our communities”.

UNISON regional organiser, Peter Chapman told Police Oracle: “We have expressed reservations of police forces using volunteers, and we are concerned they are there to fill in roles that have been lost in redundancies.

“But we have been reassured that it isn’t a replacement and there are no PCSO job losses.

“The PCC has shown a firm commitment to community policing.

“As long as we are convinced that this is not job replacement, we will continually look for reassurance and monitor closely how the initiative pans out."

Mr Chapman also highlighted his concerns about the accountability of volunteers and says these kind of roles “don’t come without risks”.

He added: “The trial is going to be placing volunteers in rural areas, but it will be interesting to see if it will spread to busier areas where there is an increased chance of confrontation, which could be very concerning."

Meanwhile, Suffolk Constabulary is rolling out a similar scheme.

Tabard-wearing Local Policing Volunteers are being trialled across six towns and villages in the county and will be involved in information gathering.

Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said the scheme will not replace officers and funding will come from existing training budgets.

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[Fedster + 1,307]

I thought that this is a role for special constables. Would this make them redundant?

[BlueBob + 692]

Interesting concept, now all we need are the removal of officers from their existing roles to provide ongoing management, support etc to yet another layer of support 

[Hyphen + 693]

1 hour ago, Fedster said:

I thought that this is a role for special constables. Would this make them redundant?

I did think the same thing. This is the bread and butter for specials, the only difference is the non confrontational bit but then we already have PCSOs. 

Somewhere along the line I think someone will be redundant.

Just seems the typical confusion and mess that comes out of sound bite ideas.

[Zulu 22 + 4,576]

Can I volunteer to be a PCC with no pay, no expenses. I will also volunteer to make decisions and sack the Chief Constable if he suggests this.

[Mac7 808]

The headline should be:

Force need staff but can’t afford to pay them.

[mike88 + 257]

7 hours ago, Mac7 said:

The headline should be:

Force need staff but can’t afford to pay them.

Exactly. They're just unpaid PCSOs and it doesn't sound like they even wear a uniform, just a high vis bib with police on it and their own clothes. You can't get any more cheaper policing than that. I really don't see what positives they'll bring other than more people in high vis walking around doing not very much.

[Hyphen + 693]

The race to the bottom is coming to an end now. I think we are pretty much there.

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

There are no new ideas. This is just a throw back to the 'hue and cry'.
Next we can have 'posse comitatus' and maybe some unpaid local constables appointed by two or more JPs.
It worked in the 17th century so why not today?

[Zulu 22 + 4,576]

1 hour ago, Reasonable Man said:

There are no new ideas. This is just a throw back to the 'hue and cry'.
Next we can have 'posse comitatus' and maybe some unpaid local constables appointed by two or more JPs.
It worked in the 17th century so why not today?

[obsidian_eclipse + 1,202]

The wind up jobs, social justice types and Freeman will have a field day.