Two voluntary policing schemes in Hertfordshire have successfully been selected as pilots in a nationwide competition.

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office and Hertfordshire Constabulary pitched two projects which encourage the public to take a more active role in policing.

These were presented in a Dragon’s Den style pitch at the National Citizens in Policing Transformation programme.

Employer Supported Policing (ESP) helps local businesses to bring vital skills to the policing and community safety arena, creating stronger links between the police and local businesses.

Employers support employees who volunteer as Special Constables and both the employer and their staff benefit from police training and experience - equipping both with transferable skills that can be used in the workplace.

The other project, Career Pathways, enables Special Constables to develop careers across a number of key areas of the policing business, including problem solving on safer neighbourhood teams, response policing, rural crime, safeguarding and cybercrime and roads policing.

This will help to develop longer-term opportunities for volunteers to strengthen their skills and knowledge and provide them with unique experiences, which they can transfer back into their day-to-day working environments.

Police and Crime Commissioner, David Lloyd, welcomed the outcome and said: “Specials provide a visible and reassuring policing presence in Hertfordshire and are able to engage directly with communities to help fight crime.

“My plan for policing Hertfordshire puts volunteers at the heart of our strategy. This pilot will help to strengthen these two schemes and will improve the communities of Hertfordshire.”

The bids were selected by the Institute for Public Safety Crime and Justice and the College of Policing from a number of applications from across the country.

The Institute will lead on the evaluation of both pilot projects. Dr Iain Britton, Head of Citizens in Policing, Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice said: “Our research work is focused on better understanding and improving how Specials are supported and enabled to contribute. These two projects in Hertfordshire are very exciting, and will make a significant contribution to that work.”

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Orton, from Hertfordshire Constabulary Crime Reduction and Community Safety Unit added: “I would like to congratulate my team for their hard work and commitment in collaboration with colleagues from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner to secure the winning bids.

“The academic support and funding for the pilot projects will help us to create an interesting and rewarding volunteering environment that supports both the needs of individuals and businesses across the county.”  

Special Constabulary Chief Officer, Mark Kendrew said: “I am delighted that Hertfordshire has been selected to become the centre of excellence for Employer Supported Policing and for creating effective Career Pathways for our Special Constables.

“These are essential capabilities we need to ensure our officers believe their Special contribution is needed, valued, developed, whilst also rewarding and enjoyable. In turn this will drive recruitment and retention, enabling us to keep our communities safe, prevent crime and catch criminals.”

For more information on Employer Supported Policing Scheme (ESP) or Special Constables in Hertfordshire, please visit www.hertspolicespecials.co.uk. Businesses can also contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner – ESP@herts.pcc.pnn.gov.uk or 01707-806150.

You can read more about recent Employer Supported Policing event here.