Can you support us on our volunteering schemes?

With national volunteering week beginning on 1st of June 2023, PCC Dafydd Llywelyn is encouraging residents from Powys, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion to become involved in aspects of his scrutiny work as Commissioner.

Volunteer groups will work with Commissioners on a number of schemes to help support vulnerable people; ensure professionalism within Police forces; give confidence that high standards are upheld; protect people’s rights; and enable challenge if things are not as what is expected.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said; “My volunteers play an important part in helping me deliver my vision set out in the Police and Crime plan and I am very grateful to every single person who volunteers with me to deliver these vital schemes.

“I want to ensure that my volunteer schemes are representative of our local communities, and who can provide diverse views and perspectives in our scrutiny of police services here in Dyfed Powys, and I encourage anyone who might be interested in any of our volunteering schemes to get in touch with my Office for more information.”

The Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office currently hosts four volunteer schemes, which include;
Independent Custody Visiting
Animal Welfare visitors
Quality Assurance Panel
Youth Forum

Independent Custody Visitors (ICVs) are volunteers from the local community who visit police custody suites in pairs, unannounced, to check on the welfare of detainees and to ensure that their rights are upheld.

With the Animal Welfare Scheme, volunteers are members of the local community with experience of working dogs and professionals from animal welfare organisations. Volunteers in the Animal Welfare Scheme observe, comment and report upon the welfare and condition under which police dogs are housed, trained, transported and deployed.

The Quality Assurance Panel was established in December 2016 to review the quality of police contact with the public, in a transparent and independent manner, on behalf of local communities.

The Panel are increasingly invited by the Force to review additional areas of police contact, which is testimony to the value of their feedback in supporting customer focussed service improvements. This work is vital to ensure the highest of standards in Dyfed-Powys.

The Police and Crime Commissioner has a Youth Forum whom he meets with regularly to have their views on policing matters, and to ensure that young people’s voices are heard. In recent months, the Youth Forum have been working with the PCC on the Y Sgwrs Consultation, running focus groups and promoting an online survey for young people to get their views and experiences of mental health issues, substance mis-use and youth offending.

Mr Llywelyn said; “Alongside the individuals who volunteer to help me in my role, volunteers also play a vital part in the work of Dyfed-Powys Police, including cadets, specials, chaplains, victim support and volunteers who volunteer in a wide range of roles in order to support the work of Police staff and Officers.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers both within my office and the force. We greatly appreciate all the time and commitment you give to both the work of the force and my office.”

Anyone who is interested in any of the PCC’s Volunteer Scheme’s are asked to contact the office for further information on 01267 226440 or by email: opcc@dyfed-powys.police.uk.