Gloucestershire PCC embarks on road trip to boost community policing
Recruiting 150 special constables was part of Chris Nelson's election manifesto
Gloucestershire's Police and Crime Commissioner wants to boost community policing by recruiting police volunteers.
Chris Nelson's 'Citizen Policing' model hopes to engage with parish councils and expand the number of community police officers.
He's embarking on a road trip around the county to have meetings with parish councils to "tap into their knowledge" for support in expanding Gloucestershire's Special Constabulary.
PCC Chris Nelson said: "I've already seen lots of volunteers operating within communities spreading intelligence about suspicious behaviour on WhatsApp groups.
"They're the sort of people who I want to reach out to and recruit.
"I'm hoping to get the support of parish councils who can put forward perhaps retired or semi-retired people who we can train and equip with the resources to work in their community".
Assuming the anticipated further relaxation of lockdown regulations, events will be based in each of the county’s six local authority districts between 21 June and 16 July.
One of his election manifesto pledges was to recruit an extra 150 special constables, who are volunteers, to help reduce anti-social behaviour in communities.
Mr Nelson says he knows too well that Special Constables can often be recruited full time into the force due to operational needs and is often the start of a career in the Constabulary.
He wants to "embed" PCSO's into the community as well who would be able to commit to a longer term serving their area.
Chris continued: "I hope with a PCSO they will stay on task in their neighbourhood policing.
"We need continuity and you need someone who's going to be embedded into a community.
"Someone who will be on task and picking up intelligence and being involved with their community".
Other forces have also used the ‘Citizens in Policing’ model to enhance neighbourhood policing.
Mr. Nelson has also pledged to recruit another 300 police officers.