Join our Citizens in Policing family!

Vehicle Checker preparing a car

A cause to believe in!

We have a variety of exciting and rewarding volunteering opportunities for you to get involved with.

How to apply! Express an interest Our Current Opportunities

What is Citizens in Policing?

Citizens in Policing (CiP) is a national, umbrella term, for all things ‘volunteering’ within the police. It includes the Police Support Volunteers, Police Cadets, and Special Constabulary who directly support the police. We also work with partner agencies and third sector organisations who often have a common shared aim with our police objectives and have their own volunteers who can also assist in supporting policing.

Why volunteer for Devon & Cornwall Police?

People choose to volunteer for a variety of reasons. For some it offers the chance to give something back to the community, for others, an opportunity to develop new skills and to feel part of the local policing team. Regardless of the motivation, what unites them all is their desire to make a difference. By volunteering to help your local police you will also be helping to make your community a safer place to live and work.

What is a Police Support Volunteer?

Our police support volunteers are very important members of our policing family, and a vital resource to help us deliver policing and build valuable links with our communities. They undertake a wide range of roles from administrative to vehicle maintenance which support and enhance our service so that our officers and staff can concentrate on frontline tasks. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and bring a wide range of skills to the force strengthening our service to public. Some of the roles carried out by our police support volunteers include:

  • Chaplains
  • Crime Support Volunteers
  • Cyber Crime Volunteers
  • Local Policing Support Volunteers
  • Vehicle Check Volunteers
  • Victim Care Volunteers
  • Volunteer Drivers
  • Volunteer Police Cadet Leader

Hear what our volunteers have to say

Amanda, Diverse Communities Support Volunteer
I have been in this role for just over a year now. I spend my time going to meetings, conferences, charity events and visit various members of the public who need support or help with diverse issues or issues with equality. I also spend my time at the station using the police computer to check what incidents or crimes we have to deal with and update the system if necessary. Volunteering with the team has been such a blessed relief for me and I enjoy every minute, its great being part of a team and feeling included in the events that go on. I love going out meeting with people and doing the charity events. I’m just thankful for this opportunity.
Flora, Local Policing Support Volunteer
My role includes looking at Repeat Data through Tactical Information Management meetings. I obtain data from police systems using it to look at repeat offenders, victims, addresses and callers. I look at each case using police systems, focusing on individual profiles and incidents. I then create summary profiles based on the information I receive and upload these onto a spreadsheet. From this, I help police staff in identifying key people and details, which are discussed in weekly meetings. This therefore allows police workload to be more manageable and efficient. I am grateful for my volunteering position as it has given me an insight into the police force and how specific departments operate. I am excited to continue volunteering as I plan on developing a career in the force after my master’s at University!
Mandy, Vehicle Checker
I have an interest in cars anyway so being able to do vehicle checks, basic maintenance & a wash and brush up on Response vehicles doesn’t feel like a chore. Being able to take/bring back vehicles from the workshop is an addition that saves officers more time for other tasks. Role playing in scenarios helps with officer training, but it is also showing how well officers are trained. What I like about volunteering is I am very much part of the extended police family. I am treated with respect, I feel very valued and I have had the privilege of meeting lots of genuine, appreciative people along the way. I have gained some purpose in life along with new friends!
Nigel, Volunteer Driver
What I like about my role in volunteering is very simple. Firstly, I have been active all my life and the thought of retirement eight odd years ago left me with a feeling of impending boredom and inactivity. I wanted to do something to give back a little something to society. Since doing this role I have been impressed with the work of the police and been pleased to add my contribution to their excellent work. I have met very interesting and social people all of which have been professional at all times.

A workforce that reflects our communities

Our ability to build trust, understand problems and support our communities across a range of policing matters, relies on us having a workforce that is reflective of our communities and all the unique individuals that exist within them. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity within our workforce and to eliminating discrimination.

We are very keen to encourage applications from those that have never considered policing as a career. Representation within our workforce from black and minority ethnic communities and females is currently much lower than we want it to be; by improving this we will be better able to serve our local communities and our work place will benefit from all the differences in thinking, points of view, and approaches that diversity brings.

In order to achieve this we are proud to pursue a policy of ‘positive action’.

For further information and to register for this scheme please click the button below.

Positive Action