Implications

Financial implications
Assistance from all volunteering sections will add value to the organisation and the communities we serve in a number of ways. Volunteers can assist the service and local divisions to focus on local and national priorities.
Our volunteers can provide experience and skills from their own backgrounds that the service can benefit from and volunteers can help to build relationships between the police and the community, which can lead to increased public trust and confidence.
Two separate and recent research projects from the Metropolitan Police Service and the College of Policing shows that for every £1 invested in Special Constables, £3.35 - £3.40 is returned in policing service delivery
The investment we make into volunteers is a long term one and one we will continue to undertake to ensure best value.

Personnel implications

Volunteers can add value to the organisation from a personnel and wellbeing perspective. With a strong cadre of Special Constables we can resource events without leaning into officers rest days whilst affording our volunteers the experience such events provide.

Our volunteers come from various backgrounds and opportunities exist for them and the service to benefit e.g. a Special Constable working in IT assisting in Cyber training.

Reputational implications

There is still belief that the Special Constabulary are the only volunteers in the service and since the inception of Police Scotland there has been a decrease in these officers however this is offset with the other opportunities we offer to volunteers such as PSYV. The Special Constabulary remain a strong focus for Police Scotland. We continue to recruit Special Constables and now have mechanisms in place to support those who apply. We have the facility to now localise recruitment days and training, this requires to be aligned to attraction of candidates.

Social implications

Our wide demographic of volunteers represent the communities that we serve. Special Constables in remote and rural areas are integral to their community and the service providing them and their local communities the support required.

Police Scotland Youth Volunteers ambition is to ensure 25% of youths come from a vulnerable background, offering them the opportunities to gain experience, qualifications and relationships in order to become future employees of choice.

Community implications

Volunteers provide the service the opportunity to represent their communities and hear from them how Policing impacts the communities they identify with. Having a strong and diverse volunteer cadre allows the service to listen to and act upon feedback. Having either urban or remote and rural Special Constables or PSYV groups in those areas builds upon public trust and confidence.

Equality implications in this report.

Police volunteers can have a positive impact on seldom heard communities by building trust and relationships between the police and the community. This is especially important in communities that have historically been difficult to reach. By getting to know members of the community and working with them on projects, volunteers can help to break down barriers and create a more positive atmosphere.
Volunteers can provide a variety of services to seldom heard communities, such as crime prevention education, victim advocacy, and community outreach. These services can help to make communities safer and more supportive.
Volunteers can help to promote understanding between different cultures and groups. This can help to reduce tensions and conflict in communities.
Volunteers can empower community members to take an active role in their own safety and well-being. By working with community members to develop solutions to problems, volunteers can help to build a more resilient and self-sufficient community.
Overall, police volunteers can play a valuable role in improving the lives of people in seldom heard communities. By building trust, providing services, promoting understanding, and empowering community members, volunteers can help to create safer, more supportive, and more resilient communities.