More than 350 people attended the first Leicestershire Police Volunteers in Policing Awards and Recognition Evening on Tuesday 2 June.
The evening was an opportunity to celebrate the vital role volunteer’s play in helping to deliver and improve the service provided to communities across the county.
A number of awards were given out during the evening, including the Community Engagement Award, sponsored by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. This award was received by Special Sergeant Izabela Kos.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Clive Loader, said: “I am delighted Izabela has received this award. She has shown endless enthusiasm and passion in her work for the community of Leicestershire and she is a true inspiration to other volunteers.”
The evening coincided with National Volunteers Week – the annual celebration of the contribution millions of volunteers make across the UK.
Volunteers have been working with local councils and voluntary organisations throughout the week, tackling neighbourhood priorities linked to crime and disorder.
Sergeant Danny Graham, operational lead on the weeks’ events, said: “The theme this year is The Big Clean Up. This has been decided after a number of local residents told us of their experiences in their neighbourhoods relating to graffiti or excessive litter.
“Volunteers help us to lower the amount of crime that occurs across Leicestershire every day and in some cases, ‘cleaning up’ low level crime can help us to lower the amount of other crimes that occur in that area.”
The celebrations continue into the weekend as National Specials Weekend begins today (Friday 5 June). The focus will be on Special Constabularies from across the UK; highlighting the role of a Special Constable and the impact they have on local policing.
Special Constables have the same powers as regular officers and the current number of Special Constables in Leicestershire is the equivalent to an additional 36 full time officers patrolling our communities.
In line with the priorities set out in the Police and Crime Plan 2013-2017, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Clive Loader has set a target to recruit 1,000 volunteers by March 2017. There are many ways people can volunteer for the police – from being a Special Constable, a Police Support Volunteer, a Volunteer Police Cadet and a Student Volunteer.
For further details of the Volunteers in Policing programme or information seminars, please visit www.leics.police.uk/join-us
Posted on Monday 9th May 2016