Wiltshire and Swindon PCC Celebrates Over 750 Hours of Volunteer Contributions at Appreciation Event
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon, Philip Wilkinson, today honoured the dedication and impact of volunteers at a special appreciation event, recognising their vital role in supporting the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and Wiltshire Police.
Held as part of National Volunteers’ Week, the event celebrated the contributions of volunteers across several key roles, including Independent Custody Visitors, Community Scrutiny Panel Members, and Animal Welfare Visitors.
“Volunteers are the backbone of community policing in Wiltshire,” said the PCC.
“Their dedication helps us build trust, improve transparency, and ensure we are always working in the best interests of the public. Whether it’s visiting custody suites, scrutinising police practices, or checking on the welfare of police dogs, their work is essential to Making Wiltshire Safer. They are also instrumental in helping me deliver the priorities set out in my Police and Crime Plan 2025–2029.”
Liz has been an Independent Custody Visitor (ICV) volunteer for 18 years:
“I enjoy because I like to give back to the community. I also think that what we do is very important because not only are we helping people in custody, but we’re also providing transparency in the custody process.
"ICV’s also support the PCC in gaining resources and funding. We may raise that more blankets are needed and the OPCC can award funding for that”
Jos is a new ICV volunteer who has done the required training and expects to start in her new volunteer role this summer:
“I have only lived in Wiltshire for 3 years and I wanted to do something that would make a difference and is really important. I saw the OPCC for Wiltshire was in need of volunteers online and I applied.
"I am looking forward to understanding the role and meeting new people”.
The commitment of volunteers supporting the OPCC and Wiltshire Police is both impressive and essential to the success of community policing across the county.
Volunteer Contributions by the Numbers
Community Scrutiny Panel Members
- 50 volunteers
- 13 meetings per year
- 3.5 hours contributed per person per meeting
- 15 volunteers per meeting
- 682.5 hours annually
Independent Custody Visitors
- 16 volunteers
- 4 visits per year
- 4 hours per visit (including travel and reporting)
- 2 volunteers per visit
- 32 hours annually
Animal Welfare Visitors
- 4 volunteers
- 3 visits per year
- 4 hours per visit
- 2 volunteers per visit
- 24 hours annually
Including time spent on training, recognition events, submitting expenses, and additional preparation by volunteer Chairs, the total contribution exceeds 750 hours per year.
