Notts Police appeal for volunteers to bolster numbers amid coronavirus pandemic

In the wake of the national crisis created by Covid-19, police forces across the UK are expecting to come under increasing strain as they try to maintain day-to-day policing while managing rising levels of staff absence.

There are currently 168 special constables in Nottinghamshire - warranted officers with all the powers of a regular police officer who volunteer their services.

Notts Police bosses have appealed to businesses which are already part of the national Employer Supported Policing Scheme (ESP), where special constable employees are provided with paid leave so they can undertake policing duties.

They are deployed in their communities to support the day-to-day operations of their forces and provide resilience at critical times.

Employers who are not currently part of the ESP are being asked to show their support by joining the scheme and helping to meet this unique call to action.

Superintendent Suk Verma said: "This is an extraordinary moment and one that requires a collective response. The service faces unprecedented challenges to maintain policing while managing rising levels of sickness and self-isolation among officers and staff.

“Our special constables play a vital role in the police service, a service which will be placed under great strain over the coming months. Those officer support our overall response.

"We are looking for three roles in particular.

“Current specials/police support volunteers (PSVs) who are fit to work additional hours, former specials/PSVs or new PSV’s that want to join, and any available cadets .

Anyone interested is asked to email information including name, dob, address, whether they hold a current driving licence and any area that they are happy to support, to: [email protected]

Policing across the country is also considering other ways of managing the surge in demand and expected drop in capacity created by Coronavirus, including relaxing rules on officers re-joining the service after retirement.

The force have asked for the following to help support the national effort to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic:

Any former and current Special Constables

Cadets

Police Support Volunteers (PSVs)