By South Australia Police (SAPOL)
(Government)
SAPOL embraces volunteering as an integral part of its approach to formal partnerships and engagement with the community.
Project implemented: 5 January 2010 (ongoing)
Project goal
The focus is to assist SAPOL achieve its corporate vision of Keeping SA Safe and for volunteers to have the opportunity to realise their personal goals.
Delivering on
Volunteering Strategy for SA focus area: 1
UN Sustainable Development Goal: 17
Why this project is important
The Police Volunteer Program reflects the diverse nature of the community it serves. The program aims to enhance community service delivery by forging strong working partnerships between police and the South Australian community.
Key steps to make it happen
Volunteers can engage in a range of activities which enables SAPOL to pursue programs and activities that benefit the community. Volunteer activities include;
- Blue Light
- Community policing (public events/mail outs etc)
- Emergency events (combined events with numerous emergency services)
- Neighbourhood Watch SA
- Police Chaplains
- Police Historical Society
- Public relations (meet and greet at front counter of police stations)
- Role players (assist in the training of police cadets)
- SAPOL Pipes and Drums.
Impact to date
- Volunteering is helping police officers reduce crime and enhance community safety.
- Volunteers have gained personal satisfaction and a sense of pride that comes from doing something worthwhile for their community.
- Volunteers have the opportunity to use their existing knowledge to help others and gain valuable new skills.
About SAPOL
SAPOL has a long and proud commitment to volunteering, historically through programs such as Neighbourhood Watch and Blue Light. In 2010 SA Police embraced the broader use of volunteers across a range of functions in support of our everyday business, and more recently brought other long standing activities under the banner of the Police Volunteers Program, such as the Police Historical Society and Police Chaplains.
Contact
Mardi Dodd, Manager, Volunteer Coordination Unit (108), SAPOL
t: 7322 3216 e: mardi.dodd@police.sa.gov.au
