Encouraging volunteers and community support
More than 100,000 residents across Essex are volunteering to help keep their communities safe.
Volunteers working for Essex Police and its partner organisations help the force to work with communities to prevent crime, support victims and ensure criminals have no place to operate.
The county has the second largest Special Constabulary in the country, with only the Metropolitan Police having a larger number of volunteers.
The 478 officers provide operational support to the force, while providing a link to communities.
One-hundred officers – from 51 businesses – in the Special Constabulary are supported by the businesses they work for and are provided with time off to perform their Special duty.
Parish and town councils also sponsor Specials in their communities.
Twelve Community Special Constables on active duty receive financial and engagement support from their local council, with another 20 officers in the pipeline.
Essex Police also continues to support wider forms of volunteering, such as Active Citizens, Police Cadets and Accredited Persons who are provided with specific policing powers while working for different organisations, such as councils.
There are more than 1,500 volunteers directly connected to Essex Police who are integrated into days of action and other general proactive, prevention activity.
Other groups, such as Street Pastors and Crimestoppers, include members of the public who volunteer and support the police.
Neighbourhood Watch alone has more than 100,000 members across Essex, providing a connection to communities.
The hard work of the PFCC’s volunteers was celebrated at this special event.
Within our office, there are 50 volunteers working in the Essex Restorative and Mediation Service, Independent Custody Visiting Scheme and the Dog Welfare Scheme.
Find out more in our annual report.
Page published on 03/02/2023
