Volunteer Police Cadet leaders across England and Wales: exploring their motivations

Abstract

Volunteering within policing across England and Wales has a long history. Previous research on police volunteering has predominantly been focused on volunteer special constables; however, volunteers occupy numerous and varied roles across the police service. Indeed, it appears that there will be a concerted effort to recruit more volunteers to support policing. If such growth is to be effectively planned and managed, understanding the characteristics of volunteers and their motivational factors for volunteering is critical. This research considers the characteristics and motivations of Volunteer Police Cadet (VPC) leaders who donate hours in schemes across England and Wales. The research concludes that respondent VPC leaders are mainly White British, well-educated individuals who tend to be motivated by feelings of community spirit and the opportunity for self-development. While these are important for understanding how to attract volunteers, the lack of diversity among these individuals is a matter for concern.

Enabling student employability through volunteering: insights from police volunteers studying professional policing degrees in Wales

“…One respondent commented "it's a chance to put yourself in a position working with people in a vulnerable position and being around people under the influence of alcohol, drugs and ……... injured, so [it] helps build your confidence", another respondent said, "you know how to speak to different people, and you learn new skills". This is supported by the findings in previous research into motivations to volunteer within policing nationally (Pepper and Rogers, 2021), the wider public sector (NCVO, 2020) and police volunteering internationally (Steden and Mehlbaum; 2019). In addition, the development of skills for future use (several respondents mentioned first aid training) were acknowledged by many of the volunteer respondents, noting that such volunteering in the police service would provide them with 'life skills' that were also transferable to other situations or occupations.…”

“…In some forces, PSV's also use their existing professional Whilst exploring the initial and continuing motivations of PSVs, Pepper (2021) suggests that there is an increase in socially driven volunteers, whilst there was a decrease in the number of volunteers who saw volunteering as way of fulfilling their career goals. This focus of PSVs towards the good of the community is also reported during research into volunteer police cadet leaders (Pepper and Rogers, 2021). Whereas volunteer SCs often donate their time for either future career and personal development, or community focused values (Pepper, 2014;Pepper and Wolf, 2015).…”

“…Whilst it may be assumed that volunteers in policing are a free resource, their recruitment, training, supervision and management, provision of facilities, equipment, expenses and insurance mean this is not the case (Wolf et al, 2017;Bullock and Millie, 2017;Unison, 2019;van Steden and Mehlbaum, 2019;Pepper and Rogers, 2022). The benefits of engaging volunteers extend well beyond the economic to include their impact on society, communities…”

“…and individuals (Pepper and Rogers, 2022), although there has been some concern raised with regards to job-substitution (Unison, 2019). Bullock (2014) suggests that the utilisation of volunteers by the police service can be associated with a range of positive outcomes including the improvement of legitimacy of the police by being a bridge between the police and the public, galvanising communities into action, whilst representing local strengths and the diverse needs within communities (Home Office, 2010).…”

“…The time lags within the application process were cited by many respondents as being problematic and added to their frustrations. Such time delays in the recruitment of volunteers were also discussed by Pepper and Rogers (2021). Although one respondent reflected on the differences in the recruitment process dependent on role selected "being a special is a lot more time consuming, the process is a lot longer and if you don't have the time to do all that, I'd say being a PSV is a lot easier, the process is a lot shorter".…”