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Herts businesses back Forces Employer Supported Policing campaignPublished 02/03/2016
A new campaign working with Hertfordshire employers to support local policing has already received a number of signups ahead of its launch this week. Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Employer Supported Policing (ESP) scheme, a joint venture between the county’s police force and Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd has secured support from a number of key businesses ahead of a networking launch event taking place at Police Headquarters tonight.
The event will bring together county businesses big and small with serving Special Constables to share their experiences of ESP in Hertfordshire. By sharing experiences and encouraging businesses to better understand the role of the Special Constabulary, it is hoped businesses will understand the support available in supporting a Special in their volunteer role at work. The Hertfordshire scheme nods to an existing national campaign in ESP with a clear focus on making the scheme relevant and applicable to local businesses.
With Special Constables volunteering for at least 16 hours a month, ESP is structured in a way that allows employers to tailor the scheme to the needs of their own business, choosing to give staff paid leave for training, duties and/ or emergencies, as well as supporting and promoting the scheme both internally and to the wider community. In addition to benefiting from the extensive training that the Constabulary provides to its Special Constables and having a serving police officer amongst their staff, employers can use the scheme to demonstrate their commitment to their local communities as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility or Volunteering scheme.
The Commissioner and Chief Constable will be awarding existing employers supporting the scheme with presentation certificates - Bronze acknowledging a formal intent to support ESP, Silver for those supporting active serving Special Constables in their workforce and Gold for those supporting a quantified level of paid leave for Specials within their overall business.
The scheme has already been backed by key Hertfordshire based businesses such as McMullen & Sons and Mothercare as well as national organisations in retail, banking and hospitality supporting employees based here in Herts such as Barclays, BT Group and John Lewis Partnership. The event is open to any business in Hertfordshire who wants to find out more about the scheme and hopefully pledge their support following first hand interaction with Specials currently on the scheme.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd said: “Special Constables are the most visible face of volunteering within the Constabulary and also within the criminal justice system. My Police and Crime Plan is committed to increasing the number of Special Constables and other volunteers and Employer Supported Policing is a great way to do so.
“Creating an environment which encourages staff to undertake this sort of crucial front line policing not only addition to but wholly supported by their employer not only makes good business sense but also plays a vital part in personal development which benefits both the business and the employee.”
Chief Constable Andy Bliss adds: “Every day in Hertfordshire our volunteer Special Constabulary makes a difference. Our Specials play a critical role in enhancing the Constabulary’s capacity, capability and resilience in tackling all types of crime in a variety of challenging situations. The individual skills and experiences each volunteer officer brings to the force is highly valued and Employer Supported Policing is one of the effective ways of accessing potential new Special Constable recruits.”
There is still the opportunity to secure your place at the event which takes place on Wednesday 2nd March at 6.30pm. To find out more, register your interest by emailing ESP@herts.pnn.police.uk or calling 01707 806150.
The event will bring together county businesses big and small with serving Special Constables to share their experiences of ESP in Hertfordshire. By sharing experiences and encouraging businesses to better understand the role of the Special Constabulary, it is hoped businesses will understand the support available in supporting a Special in their volunteer role at work. The Hertfordshire scheme nods to an existing national campaign in ESP with a clear focus on making the scheme relevant and applicable to local businesses.
With Special Constables volunteering for at least 16 hours a month, ESP is structured in a way that allows employers to tailor the scheme to the needs of their own business, choosing to give staff paid leave for training, duties and/ or emergencies, as well as supporting and promoting the scheme both internally and to the wider community. In addition to benefiting from the extensive training that the Constabulary provides to its Special Constables and having a serving police officer amongst their staff, employers can use the scheme to demonstrate their commitment to their local communities as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility or Volunteering scheme.
The Commissioner and Chief Constable will be awarding existing employers supporting the scheme with presentation certificates - Bronze acknowledging a formal intent to support ESP, Silver for those supporting active serving Special Constables in their workforce and Gold for those supporting a quantified level of paid leave for Specials within their overall business.
The scheme has already been backed by key Hertfordshire based businesses such as McMullen & Sons and Mothercare as well as national organisations in retail, banking and hospitality supporting employees based here in Herts such as Barclays, BT Group and John Lewis Partnership. The event is open to any business in Hertfordshire who wants to find out more about the scheme and hopefully pledge their support following first hand interaction with Specials currently on the scheme.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd said: “Special Constables are the most visible face of volunteering within the Constabulary and also within the criminal justice system. My Police and Crime Plan is committed to increasing the number of Special Constables and other volunteers and Employer Supported Policing is a great way to do so.
“Creating an environment which encourages staff to undertake this sort of crucial front line policing not only addition to but wholly supported by their employer not only makes good business sense but also plays a vital part in personal development which benefits both the business and the employee.”
Chief Constable Andy Bliss adds: “Every day in Hertfordshire our volunteer Special Constabulary makes a difference. Our Specials play a critical role in enhancing the Constabulary’s capacity, capability and resilience in tackling all types of crime in a variety of challenging situations. The individual skills and experiences each volunteer officer brings to the force is highly valued and Employer Supported Policing is one of the effective ways of accessing potential new Special Constable recruits.”
There is still the opportunity to secure your place at the event which takes place on Wednesday 2nd March at 6.30pm. To find out more, register your interest by emailing ESP@herts.pnn.police.uk or calling 01707 806150.
