Humberside Police Addresses Local Businesses

Officers say their neighbourhood policing teams are the bedrock of policing but need assistance from businesses, including those on the Yorkshire Coast.

They’re made up of PCSOs, volunteers, and of course Special Constables.

This week officers have been highlighting the vital work our neighbourhood policing teams do as part of #NeighbourhoodPolicingWeek, most of which does not often make the headlines, but is the most significant driver of community confidence.

But how can local businesses play their part in this too? Special Constables in particular volunteer in their own time, working closely with neighbourhood policing teams and other teams across our force area to protect and serve the communities in which they both live and work too.

Your staff live and work in those same communities, and we’re sure you have plenty who have a passion for giving something back to make our communities safer and stronger.

That’s where you come in – the National Employer Supported Policing (ESP) programme increases the diversity of knowledge within a workforce, offers a rewarding scheme to participate in, as well as supporting the ethical, social, and community aims of many organisations. Something you might call your corporate social responsibility.

Dedicated to getting more businesses involved in becoming part of the ESP scheme is Community Safety Inspector Mark Lovell, he said:

“This ESP scheme is fantastic, and I cannot recommend it enough to local businesses within our force area.

“The scheme contributes to a safer, more resilient, and empowered society which leads to community wellbeing through volunteers who enhance the connections between all different sectors within our region, as well as promoting active citizenship and engagement within policing.

“Once an organisation agrees to give employee volunteering leave, and have completed the ESP registration form, you will become a partner on the scheme, and will receive a Certificate of Participation.

“As well as allowing additional paid leave for employees to volunteer as a Special Constable or Police Support Volunteer, organisations can also promote the scheme internally by actively encouraging staff to volunteer in policing and make a real difference in their community.”

There are a number of benefits for all parties, including and not limited to:

EMPLOYER BENEFITS

• Being responsible by supporting employees and local communities
• Supports the organisations corporate social responsibility objectives
• Enhanced reputation and profile within local community
• Positive marketing opportunity
• The unique experience of being a police volunteer offers a unique level of staff development
• Contributes to morale, wellbeing and retention of employees
• Can help employees career progression and the transferable skills they gain will enhance your organisation

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

• Increase direct engagement with police
• Increase reassurance due to more visible policing on the street
• Increased public confidence seeing reputable companies with staff who volunteer with our force
• Greater resources for reducing crime
• Connecting businesses to communities
• More variety of backgrounds, skillset, and cultures

POLICING BENEFITS

• Increased police visibility increasing public reassurance
• Wider pool of resources available to help reduce demand
• Improved recruitment and retention of police volunteers
• Closer partnerships with businesses

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Increased participation, volunteer hours and confidence
• Enhanced skills and training, valuable for career progression
• Giving back to the community with support
• Feel supported – leading to fulfilment and improved relationships with employer
• Sense of wellbeing within the workplace
• More flexibility to attend training / police duty which supports even further

Humberside Police are also currently running a campaign to encourage more people to volunteer with Humberside Police and become a long-term, career Special within our Special Constabulary. For more information, visit: Volunteer with us - Join the Specials | Humberside Police

Businesses interested in becoming part of the Employer Supported Policing Scheme – please email citizensinpolicing@humberside.police.uk