Volunteering in policing
There are many ways in which you can get involved in policing through volunteering opportunities with Lincolnshire Police.
Special constables
Special constables perform the role of a police officer in their spare time and are unpaid. 'Specials' come from all walks of life; they are teachers, taxi drivers, accountants and secretaries, or any number of other careers.
People join the special constabulary for many different reasons. You may want:
- to give something back to the community
- to learn new skills and gain valuable experience
- to challenge yourself
- to learn first-hand about the police force before committing to a full-time job there
As a special, you perform police duties under the supervision of regular officers and experienced specials. You will take on a diverse range of roles including:
- conducting local, intelligence based patrols
- taking part in crime prevention initiatives
- policing major incidents
- conducting enquiries
- assisting at scenes of accidents
- safeguarding the public at local and major events
- tackling anti-social behaviour
- spending time at local schools to educate on safety
- providing operational support to regular officers
You will have the same powers as a regular police officer, wear the same uniform and receive initial and continuing training.
Our specials commit to at least four hours a week which is flexible to fit around your other commitments.
Becoming a special is a great way for you to make a difference in your community. At the same time you can develop your personal skills and experiences.
We offer an excellent training programme and mentoring scheme that will help you build knowledge and confidence. We will help you achieve all your personal goals as a special.
Find out more about the role of a special constable and how to apply on the Lincolnshire Police website.
Cadets
The cadets is a uniformed service open to teenagers from all backgrounds aged between 13* and 17. You will get to learn about the police service and make a positive contribution to the community. You will also gain valuable skills and experience.
There are many benefits to being part of the police cadets. You will:
- make new friends
- help to reduce crime
- help to make a difference in your community
- develop a knowledge and understanding of the Police Force
- gain and develop valuable skills
- gain a sense of social responsibility
As a cadet, you will learn about a wide range of policing subjects. This will include the law, police procedures and specialist policing units, as well as valuable life skills such as first aid.
You will get the opportunity to help local policing teams in tackling local crime problems and represent the force at local community events such as fetes and shows.
At the age of 16, and after passing relevant sections, you will be able to go out on patrol with selected officers.
We place our cadets at the heart of promoting community safety by making a positive contribution to society. We will help you develop a sense of social responsibility and act as a role model to others. We aim to build your confidence and self-esteem and will encourage and support you to fulfil your potential.
* You can apply to join the cadets at the age of 13 years and 9 months.
Find out more about the role of a cadet and details of recruitment dates on the Lincolnshire Police website.
Police support volunteers
We have volunteers undertaking a wide range of roles across the force.
Some of our roles include:
- Working on the front desk at local police stations.
- Administrative support to departments such as Liquor Licensing, Hi Tech Crime and Wildlife Crime.
- Role playing as part of new police officer training.
- Community engagement roles.
- Language and interpreting roles.
- Restorative justice roles.
If you are interested in becoming a police support volunteer, find out more on the Lincolnshire Police website.