Officers give up their own time to help others
23 June 2021
Almost nine in 10 police officers have done volunteer work or fund-raising during the pandemic, a new survey for today’s Public Service Day has revealed.
Research carried out by civil service and public sector membership club Boundless found that 88 per cent of officers found time to give something back during the Covid-19 crisis.
Officers who responded were also found to have raised £13,817 per person for charity during the course of their career.
Jon Nott, chair of West Midlands Police Federation, said: “This research underlines that policing is so special, full of unique people and is at the heart of the communities we serve.
“So many of our colleagues have been working tirelessly on the frontline of this pandemic, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect the public.
“And they’ve still been able to help communities and individuals by volunteering for roles or by raising money for worthy causes.
“It makes me proud to be a police officer and, on Public Service Day, I thank them all.”
Public Service Day was launched by the UN in 2003 to celebrate our public services and the people working in them.
John Apter, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), said: “This is fantastic to see but doesn’t come as a surprise to me.
“Police officers and staff are by their very nature decent caring people, and I personally know many who support great initiatives in their spare time.
“Police officers are humble people who do not really want to have the spotlight shone on them. However, I think it is really important we celebrate our colleagues and the difference they make to society both on and off duty.”
The research was conducted for Boundless by Opinion Matters, and involved 2,048 employed respondents.
The main voluntary activities supported by police officers and service employees during the pandemic included:
• Donating items - 29 per cent
• Organising fund-raising events – 25 per cent
• Delivering meals or items to underprivileged/vulnerable people – 22 per cent
• Organising virtual quiz nights – 16 per cent
• Online counselling –12 per cent
• Producing and sharing information about Covid – 10 per cent
• Taking part in sponsored walks or runs – 10 per cent
• Making or donating PPE – 10 per cent.
