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[Fedster + 1,307]

Scheme aims to maximise the amount of time officers can spend on core roles.

A force is seeking voluntary drivers to relieve the pressure on frontline officers.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary is looking to fill six spots so its officers can be transported.

Officers can request a driver to take them or evidence to court as well as collecting medication for detainees.

Other benefits from the scheme include being able to continue working on mobile devices whilst being driven.

The job is open to anyone over the age of 25 with a full driving licence and a "good knowledge" of the Highway Code.

Perks of the job are described as "being a valued member of Avon and Somerset Constabulary."

The scheme is due to be implemented this spring, and the working hours are 8am until 6pm with breaks.

The job spec says: "We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated team of volunteers who can relieve some of the demand and pressures on our front line officers by providing a driver support service.

"This may involve delivering and collecting items or transporting police officers and their exhibits to and from court."

Volunteers will have access to a fully insured unmarked vehicle with a sat nav, and mobile phone.

Temp Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cullen said: “This scheme is all about embracing trusted members of the community who wish to participate in policing and maximising the amount of time officers and staff spent carrying out their core roles.

“We anticipate the volunteer drivers helping with things like collecting detainee medication or supporting officers in dropping them off and collecting them to conduct enquires in busy settings such as Bristol City Centre. 

“Not only does this enable our officers to keep working on mobile devices whilst being driven but it will ensure that our cars are being used efficiently and not tied up all day for one appointment.”

Devon and Cornwall Police has successfully utilised a similar scheme since 2006.

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[Mac7 808]

Are we now scraping the barrel?

I cannot believe someone this senior has even considered this as an idea, let alone publicly endorsed it.

[BlueBob + 691]

Not much different in concept to the hospital drivers who shuffle patients back and forth in the more remote areas - they use their own vehicle and get a bit of fuel compensation.  
You can see some merits of dropping an officer off at court etc and avoid leaving a vehicle unused in the car park, not so sure about tapping away successfully on an MDT as a passenger, but hey, thats the future.  Or, they could sign up to UBER!!!!!!

 

[Techie1 + 2,024]

Throw in some blue lights and a siren, and I’d volunteer 

[Mac7 808]

It just makes a mockery of the police force in general and what we are about.

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

It just makes a mockery of the police force in general and what we are about.

Why?
Getting a free taxi driver to ferry people around seems good economic sense. As said it saves cars being unused for hours/days and another force has used the scheme to good effect for 12 years. I can't see any problem.

[Beaker 817]

Silly idea, what next? Unpaid volunteer in uniforms being sworn in as Constables?!

[ParochialYokal 1,119]

I don’t see the issue here? Having paid drivers is a luxury that the police service can ill afford.

This resource could make police more productive and using vetted volunteers is more preferable for continuity purposes, if they are transporting evidence.

The only criticism that I have is that you cannot expect volunteers to commit to a 10 hour day. Many newly retired people may be interested in such an opportunity (and, indeed, many buy new cars with their lump sums) but not many are going to want to commit to this. My mother, for example, wanted to volunteer as a dog walker for an animal charity but they would only take volunteers who would work an 8 hour day- not something that she wants to do.

5 hour shifts would be more sensible- or even just 4 hour shifts on the grounds that you won’t need so many breaks.

[Hyphen + 693]

I just think it’s frankly embaressing. 

There may be certain circumstances where a driver would help however detainee medication is unlikely to be one. The majority of the time I collect medication it’s from their house or friends/associates houses. Such volunteers wouldn’t be suitable for this. I also may be at the address as part of enquiries, searches etc so again would be hindered by a driver. The only time would be from a pharmacy directly.

The last few times I’ve gone to court within a short period I have been told I can leave. If I didn’t have a car I would then be sitting around twiddling my thumbs with no way to get back until someone came free.

Property, possibly this would be useful when moving between the main stores and outlying stations although in my force we already have someone from the property stores who collects and moves property daily. If it’s a particular item or exhibit it probably makes sense for me to get it as I know what I then need to do with it.

These volunteers aren’t going to be able to respond to jobs so the thing of driving me around while I update jobs is just silly. If I can’t update at the end of an incident and it’s not urgent then it’ll need to be done later. 

I’m not saying that we should turn people away who want to help out but this idea is just ridiculous.

[MerseyLLB 8,426]

Which force currently uses them RM?

[Reasonable Man + 1,231]

Which force currently uses them RM?

The report says Devon and Cornwall has used such a scheme since 2006.