Volunteers

Police support volunteers (PSVs) are citizen volunteers who give their time freely to perform tasks which complement the duties performed by police officers and staff. This helps free up officers and staff to perform key operational duties.

Volunteering is rewarding and challenging, offering a unique opportunity to develop your skills and experience. You would be working within a diverse and supportive environment, bringing personal benefits and a huge sense of community involvement.

PSVs are important to us - you enhance the service that our officers and staff provide by sharing your unique skills and experience.

We currently have more than 100 PSVs working within our communities in a variety of roles from Volunteer Custody Van Drivers, to Volunteer Administrators, to Volunteer CCTV Viewers and many more besides.

If you want to do something positive and meaningful with your spare time, check out our current vacancies page and hopefully we’ll have something to suit you.

What is a volunteer?

A police Volunteer is someone who, through personal choice, commits time and energy to perform a task at the direction and on behalf of the organisation. They agree to do this without expectation of compensation or financial reward, except for the payment of pre-determined out of pocket expenses. There is no obligation on either side therefore, when an individual agrees to take on the role of volunteer, no contract of employment is created.

How do volunteers help?

Volunteer roles are in the workplace - designed to enhance the work of the police and provide additional support to local communities throughout the force area. They assist police officers and staff who are then able to concentrate on core policing duties - which means more officers on the streets and improved community support.

What kind of activities will volunteers undertake?

Volunteering opportunities will vary from one location to another according to the identified needs of the police and their communities. We are looking for people who would like to get involved in a range of activities.

Are volunteers the same as Special constables?

Volunteers are not part of the Special Constabulary. They have no police powers and do not have a uniform.

Who can volunteer?

To volunteer you must be aged 18 or over, and have been a UK resident for a minimum of three years. If you are under 18, you may be interested in volunteering as a police cadet.

You must disclose any previous convictions, and consent to Sussex Police doing a standard National Police Vet Level 2 check (please note that having a criminal record will not necessarily exclude you from being considered for volunteering. Failure to disclose a criminal record which later becomes known will lead to instant dismissal from a volunteering role).

Applicants will be subjected to the same criteria as all members of the force. Further checks may be required depending on the Volunteer role being undertaken.

Applicants will not be accepted as Volunteers where there is a conflict of interest in their professional life or another volunteering role.

As part of their application, therefore, they are required to disclose the nature of their employment or details of other voluntary work undertaken.

How does the volunteer benefit?

Volunteering for Sussex Police provides the volunteer with an opportunity to work alongside police officers and staff, gaining valuable skills and experience within a professional and public organisation. It offers the opportunity to meet new people and work as part of a team, engage and interact with people from different communities and backgrounds whilst making a positive contribution to the local community.