Sharing my experience as a police volunteer
Main article content
As we celebrate Volunteers' Week, we wanted to take a moment to thank the many volunteers who give their time for us and play a key part in supporting our workforce to help keep our communities safe.
Whatever your walk of life - whether you’re in university or retired, have hundreds of hours free or just a few a week - you can volunteer with us. Guy Wilson started with us in 2021 and shares his story below:
“When people ask me why I volunteer, I usually respond with: Well, why wouldn’t I?”
For Guy Wilson – a police volunteer since 2021 - it’s a simple question with an even simpler answer.
“I’ve always had an affinity for things that matter in my community – whether it’s Neighbourhood Watch schemes or Community Speed Watch, I’m keen to get involved where I can.
“The majority of my career, I worked as an IT consultant in managerial and customer service roles for a host of companies including IBM.
“When it was time for me to retire, I had a list of things I wanted to do, but sadly COVID put paid to most of them (who wants to travel the world anyway?!)"
“Back in 2017, I was selected to be the foreman while on jury service in Leamington. An incredibly intense and emotional experience, I took great pride in my role and the responsibilities that came with it.
“A few years later, I went on to do Citizens Academy – a scheme where you learn about policing and other agencies – and the whole thing just really appealed to me.
“I think a combination of my jury experience, being part of Neighbourhood Watch, and understanding the role of Safer Neighbourhood Teams through Citizens Academy helped pique my interest.
“So, I asked myself how I could use my skills in practical way and when I saw the police were recruiting for volunteers, I applied. The rest, as they say, is history!”
Guy currently works between four and eight hours each week – putting his IT skills to use carrying out balances and checks as part of our Op Resolve initiative, which aims to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the county.
“My role is probably fantastically boring to the outside world, but personally, I love it, and the flexibility it offers me is another positive as you choose how much time you commit to.
“Often someone might have skills they don’t know can help in policing – it might be customer service, people management, or something else entirely!
“Through volunteering, I’ve realised I bring a wealth of experience. Not only that, I offer a different perspective or fresh set of eyes on something, which can be hugely valuable.
“The funny thing is when I hit retirement, I started doing so many things, I genuinely wonder how I ever found time to work before!”
Policing clearly runs in the family as well with Guy’s daughter deciding it was the career for her after chatting to an officer while working as an usher at the Justice Centre.
“I’m incredibly proud of her. Don’t get me wrong, I worry like any parent would, but knowing that she’s happy and helping the community makes me smile.
“As much as I don’t keep it a secret, I was at a dinner party recently and when I mentioned I volunteer for the police, everyone was genuinely interested in what I had to say!
“Personally, I think the police get a bad rap. Sometimes it’s deserved, but most of the time, it’s not.
“At the end of the day, they’re people trying to do a good job – often in challenging circumstances, so if I can help in some small way by volunteering then I will.
“Did I do it to make people proud? Not necessarily, but something inside of me said ‘Give it a go’ and I’ve never looked back.”
Find out more about volunteering with us: Volunteers | Warwickshire Police and if you’d like to get involved, email [email protected] or [email protected]
Issued: LM, Corporate Communications