Devon police volunteers thanked by senior officers
Volunteers in Devon & Cornwall Police have been thanked by senior officers for giving so much of their own time to support Force colleagues and make a difference.
Dedicated volunteers contribute many hours to the Force and carry out a variety of roles including as vehicle checkers, volunteer drivers, police chaplains, victim care officers, police cadet leaders and Special Constables. Many volunteers juggle these roles alongside their normal day jobs and busy family lives.
Police Support Volunteers from Exeter, East and Mid Devon were invited to an event at Exeter Police Station earlier this week and were personally thanked by Superintendent Antony Hart, who is the Local Policing Area Commander for the region. Also present at the event was Superintendent Special Louise Quaintance.
There are currently 47 volunteers across the Exeter, East & Mid Devon LPA and hours contributed so far in 2024 is 1,748. Volunteer hours given in 2023 for that area was 3,732. The LPA also has 36 Special Constables who have contributed a total of 4,843 hours so far in 2024. Last year the total was 14,736 hours given.
In North & West Devon area there are 19 Specials currently serving and between 1 May 2023 and 31 May this year they completed 627 duties or 492.50 hours. In the same period 16 volunteers in the area completed 373 duties which equates to 2,680 hours. There are also three new volunteers who have recently signed up to help in the North & West Local Policing Area.
Chief Inspector Graham Thomas, who heads up local policing in North & West Devon, attended a gathering of volunteers in Barnstaple this week to meet them face to face and thank them for all their efforts in helping local communities such as people in Barnstaple, Okehampton, Tavistock, Bideford, Ilfracombe, and many other towns and villages. Other guests at the event included Superintendent Emma Butler-Jones, who is Head of Prevention and Local Policing for Devon & Cornwall Police.
Superintendent Toby Davies, Local Policing Area Commander for North & West Devon, said: “We have some fantastic volunteers here in Devon and volunteers’ week is an opportunity for us to recognise them and pay tribute to all of their hard work. It is humbling when you consider the contribution they make to policing and keeping our communities safe - f course all in their own time. They are a valuable part of our team and we are all hugely appreciative of everything they do.”
The police volunteer programme in Devon & Cornwall Force area is co-ordinated by the Citizens in Policing team and they promote how rewarding and interesting the roles can be. To volunteer with the police you must be over the age of 16 and pass the vetting clearance checks. If you want to view the latest volunteer vacancies with Devon & Cornwall Police or read some of the case studies of those who help us you can visit the website Volunteers - Dorset Police and Devon & Cornwall Police working in Partnership (devon-cornwall.police.uk)
National Volunteers Week ran from 3 to 9 June and showcases the amazing efforts by those who selflessly give their time to help their communities. This year’s celebration marked 40 years of Volunteers Week. For more information please visit Volunteers' Week – Volunteers’ Week is a chance to say thank you for the fantastic contribution volunteers make. (volunteersweek.org)
A plaque was recently unveiled at Devon & Cornwall Police’s Middlemoor headquarters to mark the Investing in Volunteers national accreditation that the Force has achieved. This is the UK quality standard for managing volunteers - helping organisations develop effective, high impact & meaningful volunteer involvement.
Special Constables serve at the frontline of policing and wear a uniform virtually identical to paid police colleagues. They are involved in most of the incidents and events that regular officers carry out and have the same powers of arrest. They can interview victims of crime, as well as witnesses and suspects and handle information and evidence to support police investigations.
The current recruitment campaign for Specials in Devon & Cornwall Police area is running until 25 June. For more information and to apply for a role with Devon & Cornwall Police please visit
To get updates via social media you can follow @DCPolvolunteers and @DCPspecials on X.
Pic below shows volunteers at Exeter police station with Supt Antony Hart (far left).
Pic below shows A/Chief Constable Jim Colwell unveiling the Investing in Volunteers plaque
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