Co-author: Iain Britton (Global Foundation for Community Safety Volunteering, UK, Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice, University of Northampton, UK), Ross Wolf (University of Central Florida, USA), Phaik Kin Cheah (Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia)
Volunteer policing has historically been an under-researched area internationally. This is beginning to change with an emergent base of international empirical studies. The paper brings together strategically key research findings from this work and sets out priorities for future fieldwork across the practice of volunteer policing internationally.
The paper looks across four key areas. Firstly, volunteer leadership, drawing on an international interview-based study of volunteer leaders and also on extensive empirical work undertaken in the UK with Special Constabulary leaders. The strategic value of volunteer leadership in programme impact and sustainability is identified, together with cultural and role identity challenges faced by volunteer leaders in policing. Secondly, research on police volunteer experience, looking across findings from several survey-based and interview-based research projects, undertaken in the USA, UK, and Malaysia. Thirdly, volunteer longevity of service and volunteer careers research, based on projects undertaken across UK Special Constabularies. Fourthly, exploring the research-base on value and Return on Investment, drawing on empirical work undertaken in the UK, and in Florida, USA.
Looking across this body of research findings, the paper identifies several research-based conclusions for future volunteer programme growth and development. Bringing together a provisional ‘what works’ picture across police volunteer models internationally. This highlights key aspects of leadership, experience, wellbeing, support, recognition, deployment, training, role, safety, professional identity, strategic paradigm, organisational culture and professional identity.
The paper identifies current gaps in research knowledge, setting out priority areas for ongoing international research.