The Citizen Volunteer in 21st Century Policing and Community Safety

• In Event: Lightning Talk: Law Enforcement: Duties, Performance, and Tactics

Abstract

Citizen volunteers have a long and established history in UK policing and community safety. From medieval constables and watchmen, Justices of the Peace, and the foundations of the modern-day probation service, policing and community safety has been characterised by voluntary action.

Volunteers continue to feature across policing, while community organisations such as Neighbourhood Watch remain a feature throughout UK towns and cities. But who volunteers and what are their motivations for doing so? What contribution do they make? What are their experiences within policing/community safety organisations? And how does this ‘play out’ at a time when trust and confidence in UK policing is low?

This lightning talk draws on research conducted with volunteers in UK policing, Community Speedwatch, and Neighbourhood Watch schemes. It considers the role of the citizen volunteer, and the impact of changing relationships between citizens and the police on who volunteers and how they experience this alongside officers. Finally, it explores potential for new directions for citizens to shape safety in their own communities – both within and outside of the parameters of traditional policing/community safety organisations.

Author

• Melissa Pepper, University of Greenwich