Employer Supported Policing: National Day of Action

FORCEWIDE

Whilst our Special Constables come from all walks of life and different vocations, as volunteers they all have something in common – they all want to make a difference and protect the most vulnerable out in our community.

This week has seen five of our specials take part in the NPCC’s Employer Supported Policing (ESP) National Day of Action.

On Wednesday, 24 September, Special Superintendent Joseph Broderick, Special Chief Inspector Thomas Robinson, and Special Constables Craig Nixon, Philip Owst and George Humphreys took part in the first co-ordinated operation of its kind in Hull designed to highlight the significant contribution of Special Constables supported by their employers.

The initiative is being led by the NPCC Employer Supported Policing Group and since its launch with retailer support in 2004, ESP has delivered wide-ranging benefits to policing, employers and individuals.

The day of action aimed to showcase the value Special Constables bring both to policing and back into their workplaces. The strategic aim was to deliver a day of coordinated business and retail crime operations led by Special Constables released by their employers under the ESP scheme.

The teams are encouraged to actively contribute to the planning and preparation of the day to foster a sense of ownership and showcase their skillset and the value give back to our communities.

This week our team set out with their main focus to target ‘Fail to Appear’ (FTA) warrants, as well as leading on local taskings or assisting on any other operational activity that came their way from colleagues from across the force.

Before the day of action had even started, a PCSO called for assistance in Hull City Centre. On their way to the briefing and only round the corner, SC Nixon and SC Owst were on scene in a matter of minutes, swiftly arresting a man on suspicion of indecent exposure and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

A 33-year-old man has since been charged with outraging public decency and being drunk and disorderly in a public place, thanks to the speedy work of the Special Constables.

Whilst SC Nixon and SC Owst were dealing with their prisoner, the remaining team executed a number of FTA warrants in Hull for those wanted in connection with crimes such as shop theft. No one was taken in on the day, but two intelligence reports were submitted in relation to drugs and officer safety, as well as the team being highly visible within the community.

The teams received a lot of nice comments from members of the public along the way as well!

Days of action of this kind are crucial in enabling us to showcase the work our Special Constables do across the force. This is nothing new for the team’s; it’s all part of their daily business and it’s why they choose to give something back to the communities in which they live and work in too.

Does this sound like something you want to be a part of? Do you want to contribute to achieving fantastic results just like this?

Applications to become one of our next Special Constables is now open. To find out more and apply today, visit our website – HP- Special Constable (Volunteer Police Officer) June 2026 - Humberside & South Yorkshire Police  

What is Employee Supported Policing?

The National Employer Supported Policing (ESP) programme increases the diversity of knowledge within a workforce, offers a rewarding scheme to participate in, as well as supporting the ethical, social, and community aims of many organisations. Something you might call your corporate social responsibility.

EMPLOYER BENEFITS

• Being responsible by supporting employees and local communities
• Supports the organisations corporate social responsibility objectives
• Enhanced reputation and profile within local community
• Positive marketing opportunity
• The unique experience of being a police volunteer offers a unique level of staff development
• Contributes to morale, wellbeing and retention of employees
• Can help employees career progression and the transferable skills they gain will enhance your organisation

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

• Increase direct engagement with police
• Increase reassurance due to more visible policing on the street
• Increased public confidence seeing reputable companies with staff who volunteer with our force
• Greater resources for reducing crime
• Connecting businesses to communities
• More variety of backgrounds, skillset, and cultures

POLICING BENEFITS

• Increased police visibility increasing public reassurance
• Wider pool of resources available to help reduce demand
• Improved recruitment and retention of police volunteers
• Closer partnerships with businesses

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

• Increased participation, volunteer hours and confidence
• Enhanced skills and training, valuable for career progression
• Giving back to the community with support
• Feel supported – leading to fulfilment and improved relationships with employer
• Sense of wellbeing within the workplace
• More flexibility to attend training / police duty which supports even further

Businesses interested in becoming part of the Employer Supported Policing Scheme – please email [email protected]