In the Police service, there are numerous volunteering opportunities that offer individuals the chance to be involved with the Police service. Having volunteers is crucial for the Police Service due to the ongoing budget cuts, which have resulted in over 213 officers being made redundant between 2011 and 2015 according to Cheshire Police (2009). One of these volunteering opportunities is to become a Special Constable. Special Constables share the same duties as regular Police Constables, but they do not receive any payment for their work. Additionally, Special Constables typically have a part-time job alongside their volunteering duties. Having volunteers in the service allows for a diverse range of experience and skills to be gained. For instance, some Special Constables may already have experience within the Police force, while others may have little or no experience.
The police force could benefit greatly from the diverse range of skills possessed by its recruits, who could then share these skills with one another. Another volunteering opportunity within the police force that I am involved with is the Police cadets. Volunteering as a Police cadet offers various advantages, as participating in the program enables individuals to acquire new life skills. These skills include a heightened sense of responsibility and the ability to make sound decisions in the future.
One organization that I will assess is the Special Constables within the Police force. There are numerous benefits associated with volunteering as a Special Constable, which would be advantageous for various sectors. The community, government, service, and the volunteers themselves would all benefit from the presence of Special Constables. In terms of community advantages, having Specials leads to a reduction in crime as these volunteers sacrifice their own free time to patrol the streets, thereby increasing the number of officers and Specials available to ensure the safety of everyone.
If community members volunteer, it can inspire others to participate, making the community more appreciated and renowned for its positive qualities. Having Special Constables in the government can be advantageous as it saves money for the country. Consequently, the community can benefit from improved facilities or locations for youth activities throughout the day and night. When the government saves money, it creates an opportunity to construct youth clubs, leading to a reduction in anti-social behavior and ensuring the safety of younger individuals.
The presence of Special Constables in the police force has multiple advantages, including cost savings for the service and a reduction in service cuts. In addition to benefiting various sectors, being a special constable also offers advantages to volunteers themselves. By serving as a special constable, volunteers acquire new skills that can be utilized in their future endeavors. Furthermore, this experience can be beneficial for their future careers as employers often consider previous volunteering activities.
Also, as a volunteer Special Constable, individuals would acquire fresh experience and encounter new opportunities. They would have the chance to meet new people and the nature of their job guarantees that they would never feel bored. However, along with these advantages, there are also some disadvantages of being a Special Constable. These drawbacks include a potential lack of harmony between Specials and paid Police Constables due to their different employment statuses. Additionally, it is possible for the Specials to become too involved and disliked by taking over the responsibilities of the paid Constables.
The Police Cadets is the second organization being assessed. Despite having advantages and disadvantages, the benefits of volunteering for this organization surpass the drawbacks. One advantage is that as a Police Cadet, individuals can gain valuable knowledge for their future, which can be applied when making decisions later on. Additionally, cadets have the opportunity to acquire new skills that will be beneficial in various activities. Furthermore, joining the Police Cadets offers firsthand experience of what a career in law enforcement involves.
Volunteering in the Police Cadets offers opportunities to meet new people, attend community events, and gain new skills for future jobs. However, limited availability hinders successful completion of the application or interview process. Despite this drawback, volunteering is valuable as it boosts confidence levels, develops social skills, and creates friendships and connections. It also allows individuals to give back to their local community and provides a meaningful way to spend spare time. Furthermore, volunteer work may expose individuals to professional organizations or internships that could benefit their careers.
