Up Beat

SOUTHWARK'S VOLUNTEER FORCE

1 September 2006

‘ I know I feel safer seeing uniformed Police around when I'm out and about at night’
-  Special Constable
Philip Jones (pictured left) 

 

Southwark Police are fortunate enough to have members of the community coming forward to contribute their various skills and knowledge to help Southwark Police perform better.  There are four different ways that people aged 14 and above can    volunteer.  We are always looking for more volunteers to join us, so if you are interested or want to find out more then please contact us.
- Borough Commander Malcolm Tillyer

Volunteer Police Cadets
 

The Police Cadets are a force of young volunteers aged between 14 and 19 who meet up for a few hours each week to learn new skills, get fit and develop their personal qualities, all while helping to prevent crime and coordinate minor public events in Southwark.

 

Being a Cadet is both educational and fun, and members can  take part in the following activities:
· Learning about policing issues and skills such as radio communications, self-defence, drill and dog handling
· Taking part in various team sports and
  games
· Providing an additional uniformed presence at public events like Trooping the Colour (pictured above)
· Promoting local crime prevention initiatives by doing things like distributing leaflets and assisting with mobile phone and property marking schemes
· Taking part in Met training exercises
· Going on outdoor excursions and camping expeditions that often count towards the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

Not only are these activities great fun in their own right, they also teach cadets loads about themselves and potentially help prepare them for the challenges of becoming a Police Officer in the future. Southwark Volunteers Co-ordinator PC Sarah Matthews said "The VPCC is such a positive image of young people working together making a difference in their lives and the local community."
 

For further details, contact: PC Sarah Matthews Tel.  020 7232 6005
Email.  Sarah.matthews3@.met.police.uk
Website.  www.met.police.uk/cadets

Met Volunteer Programme

The Met Volunteer Programme (MVP) was established five years ago with the aim to increase active participation and engagement between the MPS and communities.

 

With the introduction of the Met Volunteer Programme and newly appointed Volunteer Co-ordinator Helen Mojab, Southwark Police is in the strong position to welcome more volunteers from diverse range of backgrounds including, retired, students, people between jobs and long-term unemployed.

"Currently, in Southwark, volunteers are supporting front counters at staffed and un-staffed police stations, assisting with the communication office as well as admin roles" explains Helen. " We envisaged to roll out more opportunities for volunteers in near future."

People volunteer with the Southwark Police for many different reasons.  Volunteer Jennifer Fitzgerald (pictured above) who assists in the communication office says, "Volunteering at Southwark Police has given me much more confidence, and because of this I am able to put something back into the community".  
Sue Moinizadeh says, " As a volunteer I enjoyed volunteering alongside Police Officers and staff. I feel welcomed and valued and have done a variety of different roles which have given me an sight into the dedication of the Police in Southwark". 

In order to join the MVP Southwark you must be aged 18 upwards and at least three year's UK residency in order to qualify for the MPS vetting process.  Hours expected to commit is flexible however we ask volunteer to contribute minimum of four hours one day per fortnight over a period of at least six months.
 

For further information please contact Volunteer Co-ordinator: Helen Mojab
Tel.  020 7232 6753
Mobile.  077706 678 185
Email.  Helen.Mojab2@met.police.uk

 

Met Special Constables

Special Constables are volunteer Police Officers. Also known as 'Specials', they are everyday people who in their spare time do something positive for themselves and their community.

· They have the same powers as regular PoliceOfficers.
· They volunteer for at least eight hours a week.
· They make a real difference.
· They wear a similar uniform to regular officers.
·   They receive free travel on the Bus and Underground network

When asked why he volunteered to join Southwark, Special Constable Philip Jones told us 'I've worked here for three years and just wanted to put something back.  I regularly socialise in Southwark and I know I feel safer seeing uniformed Police around when I'm out and about at night."

He went on to say "At times the role can be testing, but I've had some first-class training and am surrounded by an excellent team.  I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a challenging and rewarding new hobby."

For more info on becoming a Special Constable, contact: SC Daemonn Brody.  Tel.  020 7232 6004.  Email.  daemon.brody@met.police.uk
Website.  www.southwarkspecials.com

 

The Karrot Action Team

The Karrot Action Team (KAT) is a group of 23 young people, aged 11 to 16 years old, who advise and work with Southwark Police on a wide range of youth issues.

The purpose of this group is to increase the effectiveness of Southwark Police by raising youth participation and consultation and to empower young people to become positive active citizens. The group regularly take part in team building activities and skills development training. They recruit annually in September, which they follow up with an exciting residential trip in October to welcome the new members.

KAT has now been operational for over two years, during which time they have participated in police anti-knife crime initiatives, represented young Londoners at counter terrorism events and contributed to the targets set for police Safer Neighbourhood Teams. They are currently organising a borough wide youth consultation on youth crime to help make Southwark safer for all its young residents.

For more information about KAT contact:
Sam Zlosnik Tel. 02072326004
Email: sam.zlosnik@met.police.uk
Website. http://www.karrot.org.uk

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