Volunteering

If you’ve ever considered giving back to your community in a unique and impactful way, you’ve come to the right place. Thames Valley Police offers a range of rewarding volunteering opportunities that allow you to play an essential role in helping to protect our communities, and make a positive difference in the lives of those around you. Explore the diverse avenues for volunteer work within the police, where your dedication, skills, and passion can create safer, stronger, and more connected communities. Discover the numerous ways you can contribute to our mission while enriching your own life.

Vetting is an important element of the process for any volunteering role within the police, depending on the role you are applying for will determine the level of vetting required – find out more about Vetting at Thames Valley Police.

Learn about volunteering as Special Constable

Discover volunteering opportunities with Thames Valley Police

Find out how to become a cadet

Make your voice heard

There are other ways in which you can volunteer to help protect your community and make a contribution to how policing across the Thames Valley operates.

Neighbourhood Watch is about people getting together with their neighbours to take action to reduce crime.

They’re community initiatives owned and run by their members which are supported by the police but not owned by them, although we sometimes run them.

They work by developing a close relationship between community members and the local police.

Learn more by visiting the Neighbourhood Watch webpage.

Organised by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, in partnership with Community Speedwatch UK, speedwatch groups in the Thames Valley are provided with a starter kit on a loan basis, including a speed detection device, to help volunteers assist in the battle against speeding motorists.

Community teams undergo a number of training sessions online and police risk assessments to ensure safety at the roadside.

To learn more, please visit the Community Speedwatch webpage.

Scrutiny is an integral part of ensuring that Thames Valley Police provides an excellent service and is trusted by all communities. External scrutiny seeks to increase public understanding, legitimacy, confidence and trust in policing.

There are a number of groups which allow members of the public to hold the force to account at a forcewide and local level:

  • Independent Scrutiny & Oversight Board
  • Complaints & Standards Committee Panel
  • Independent Advisory Group
  • Community Scrutiny Panel

You can find out more about these on our Public Insight and Scrutiny webpage.

The Joint Independent Audit Committee provides independent assurance to the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable regarding the adequacy of the risk management framework and the associated control environment within Thames Valley Police and our office.

To learn more, please visit the JIAC website.