Met Volunteers Appear On TV

Fri, 03 September 2010 Courtesy of: Metropolitan Police

Two of the Met’s 1300 non-uniformed volunteers were featured on BBC news this week to highlight the important contribution made by Londoners who give up their own time to help keep the capital safe.

The BBC London TV item featured one of the Met’s oldest volunteers - 83 year old Stanley Pitch, together with one of the Met’s youngest - 21 year old student Penelope Bowers, to illustrate how the Met’s volunteers support front line policing.

The item showed Mr Pitch, a retired furniture salesman covering the front counter at Winchmore Hill police station - a role he shares with other volunteers in the area whose efforts manage to keep the station open to the public. Mr Pitch, who also served in the army said he was very proud to volunteer for the Met and really enjoyed helping people. He told the BBC: "If somebody comes in with a real problem, you can help them. Us being here helps provide a service to the local community."

“they act as advocates for the police, increasing understanding and building relationships in the communities they live and work in”

Next, the BBC went to Haringey borough where they filmed Ms Bowers who volunteers in their integrated prosecutions team and deals with criminal injuries compensation paper work. She told the BBC she liked volunteering and hoped it help reduce the burden of paper work allowing Met employees to deal with more urgent issues more efficiently. Ms Bowers added: "Volunteering is really rewarding as it gives me a good experience and allows me to give something back to the community."

While the item was positive the BBC did pose the question of whether the Met was doing things ‘on the cheap’ and replacing full and part time workers with volunteers. Supt Alan Horton of the Met’s MSC & Volunteers OCU reassured the public and staff that this was not the case: "This is not about replacing paid staff - it’s about adding additional capacity and value to what the Met does."

Volunteers benefit the MPS in a multitude of ways. They bring a wide range of skills and experience. They add value to the work of trained staff, helping to enhance service delivery and improve customer service. Furthermore, they act as advocates for the police, increasing understanding and building relationships in the communities they live and work in.

As well as the 1309 non-uniformed volunteers there are 3360 special constables and 1800 volunteer cadets.