Suffolk Police thank volunteers for contributing over 60,000 hours in the past year
Special Constables and other volunteers have given thousands of hours of service since the start of the pandemic.
Last updated 4th Jun 2021
Suffolk Police say they are especially thankful to their volunteers, who have contributed just over 60,000 hours of voluntary policing since the beginning on lockdown on 23 March 2020.
Sarah Hills is a mounted volunteer on horseback:
"I always grew up wanting to be a police officer on horseback anyway so this is semi-fulfilling a childhood dream.
"I think volunteers all over a really heavily relied on these days. It allows that connection within the community which creates a safer neighbourhood. It's wonderful to be part of that police family."
Volunteers’ Week takes place between 1st and 7th June to celebrate people like Sarah, who have helped provide local services through challenging times.
Suffolk Police say: "During an exceptionally difficult year, people from all walks of life nationally and in Suffolk have taken the time to volunteer and make a huge difference to our communities.
"For the force it includes the Special Constabulary, the Suffolk Cadets and all our Police Staff Volunteers (PSV).
"To celebrate Volunteer Week and their work in the police various social media messages will be published from the force’s corporate accounts highlighting the variety of roles that all of the force’s volunteers get involved in.
"The mounted PSVs and Local Police Volunteers have continued to be the Constabulary’s ‘eyes and ears’ in Suffolk local communities, ensuring their communities see a visual presence and supporting them in linking with their local policing teams."
Manager of Citizen in Policing Karen Harris said: “We are extremely lucky in Suffolk Constabulary to have exceptional support from our volunteers and during Volunteers Week we relish the opportunity, both locally and nationally to give a ‘Suffolk shout out’ to thank them all, whatever their role.
"We are exceptionally grateful for their support and the wealth of skills and experience, enthusiasm and inspiration they bring. We are a richer and more diverse force for your continued commitment, so thank you!
“Also, we must pay tribute to the families and friends of our volunteers – without their support and patience it would prove to be very difficult for our volunteers to do the important work they deliver for our communities so we thank them as well.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk Tim Passmore said: “The contribution made by volunteers to policing in Suffolk is absolutely remarkable. Volunteers play a hugely important part in our policing family and we are indebted to each and every one of them for their unstinting commitment and enthusiasm.
“Every volunteer offers something significant whether they are Specials, Police Support Volunteers, Cadets or Custody Visitors. I commission a large number of services relating to victims, crime prevention and other policing related matters each year and, in short, that commissioning work could not be delivered without the vast armies of volunteers who are mobilised by their desire to serve their communities.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who generously gives their time to help make Suffolk as safer place, we are very grateful.”