Police volunteers commended at special event

Above:  David Keane, Janette McCormick and Alexis Redmond with all the volunteers who attended the event.

Volunteers who give up their free time to help keep Cheshire safe have been commended by the county’s police and crime commissioner at a special event.

David Keane hosted the annual volunteer appreciation event at Cheshire Constabulary headquarters in Winsford yesterday (Sunday 4 June) with volunteers meeting to network and enjoy afternoon tea.

The event, which coincides with Volunteers’ Week, is an opportunity for the commissioner and constabulary to say ‘thank you’ to the many volunteers who have supported the police over the past year.

The commissioner was joined by the Acting Chief Constable, Janette McCormick, and the High Sheriff of Cheshire, Alexis Redmond, as he handed out certificates to volunteers from both the constabulary and his office.

David said: “I am immensely proud of the work our volunteers carry out to make Cheshire a safer place to live for residents across the county.

“It is really important to me to recognise the amazing contribution these members of the public bring to policing, and what better way to do that than by bringing them all together and saying thank you in person.

“It is fantastic to meet so many inspiring individuals at the event who selflessly give up their own time to give something back to support us and hear their inspiring stories about the volunteering work they have been involved in.”

ACC McCormick added: “It was a pleasure to be part of an event hailing the selfless work of volunteers throughout Cheshire.

“I was delighted to meet many inspiring individuals and groups at the event, all of whom play a crucial role in making our communities safer.

“They thoroughly deserve the recognition they received on the day and I would like to place on record my thanks for everything they do.”

The event was held as the commissioner launched his latest volunteer recruitment drive for roles that support his office.

He is currently advertising a whole range of volunteer roles that give people who live and work in Cheshire the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the police force, whilst gaining a real insight into how important policing operations work.

“The roles on offer provide an insight into a variety of key policing areas; from making random visits to custody suites to check on the welfare of detainees as an Independent Custody Visitor, listening to calls from the public as a Call Management Auditor, visiting police station front desks to carry out audits as a Front Desk Auditor to ensuring police dogs are treated in the correct way as a Police Dog Welfare Visitor.

“Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience and I’d encourage anyone who has an interest in policing to get involved.”

Margaret Lonsdale is a front desk auditor for the office of the police and crime commissioner. She says that volunteering for the commissioner is a really rewarding experience.

“Before taking up the role of a front desk auditor, I volunteered my time as an independent custody visitor. Both roles provide reassurance to the commissioner that officers are doing their jobs properly.

“They also provide a good link between local officers and the community. Before becoming a volunteer with the commissioner, I was a head teacher in Blacon. Carrying out visits to Blacon custody suite helped me understand the issues of the wider community.”

Full details of all the volunteer roles are available on the commissioner’s website or by calling 01606 364103. Applications for each role should be received by 9am on Monday 2 July 2018.