There has never been a better time to join the boys in blue as GMP special constables notched up more than 4,000 arrests last year.
The police hosted a National Volunteering Week event at Bolton’s Victoria Square today to encourage people to join the 650 Special Constables, Support Volunteers and Cadets, who made 4,180 arrests and assisted arrests across Greater Manchester in 2013.
Now in its 30th year, the annual National Volunteering Week is taking place on June 1-7 and Police thanked their volunteers for their prolific arrest record.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins explained why volunteering is vital within communities and said: “GMP is committed to developing our volunteering schemes, and we recognise the significant contribution that volunteers make to the policing of Greater Manchester.
“Volunteering is a way to connect policing to communities and communities to policing. People give up their own time to positively contribute to their local area and their actions are truly commendable.”
Social media site Twitter also became a platform for GMP to showcase the talent of particular volunteers, such as 81-year-old Rita Armin who works as a Police Support Volunteer in Stockport.
Rita Armin works as a police support volunteer in Stockport at the age of 81 #VolunteerWeek pic.twitter.com/PdvZ6grzyh
— G M Police (@gmpolice) June 3, 2014
Police cadet Lauren Hickson was also recognised
Meet Police Cadet Lauren Hickson, our volunteer of the day #VolunteerWeek pic.twitter.com/gAhdnqhw0X
— G M Police (@gmpolice) June 5, 2014
The work of Special Constable Rashid Zafir was also celebrated.
Meet Special Constable Rashid Zafir, our volunteer of the day #VolunteerWeek pic.twitter.com/AZFWRAxQt1
— G M Police (@gmpolice) June 4, 2014
“Special constables are unpaid, highly trained professionals who respond to a variety of policing incidents. They have the same policing powers as regular officers and play a vital role in the policing of Greater Manchester,” said Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins in tribute.
“GMP’s police support volunteers provide work in a variety of different areas and offer additional support to our neighbourhood policing teams.
“Young people can also get involved in volunteering at GMP in the police cadets, it gives the opportunity for people under the age of 18 to contribute toward their local community and learn more about policing in Greater Manchester.
“To celebrate and recognise the time they give to GMP there will be an event hosted at force headquarters where our volunteers will be given a personal thank you and we will looks back over the week to acknowledge the events they have been involved in.”
For more details related to Volunteer Week follow @GMPolice on Twitter.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police visit their website.
Image courtesy of the Laird of Oldham with thanks
