Exploring the police support volunteer experience: findings from a national survey

Abstract

There are an estimated 8000 Police Support Volunteers (PSVs) in England and Wales, contributing around 650,000 hours each year to an expanding variety of tasks to support their local constabularies. Despite this, the evidence base around the experiences of being a PSV is remarkably limited. Drawing on findings from the first national survey of police volunteers in England and Wales, undertaken in the early 2016 with just over 1000 PSV responses, this article explores key factors that are associated with the overall experience of being a PSV pointing towards the significance of management, support, supervision, connection, contribution and development on volunteer morale. The article sets these findings within the strategic context of future developments for PSVs, considers practical actions for improving volunteer experience, and highlights the importance of further research into being a volunteer in policing.