Abstract

Policing organisations across the world are continually increasing the use of volunteers in support of day-to-day activities as they attempt to deal with unprecedented challenges. The utility of this approach is contested by some, with debates concerning the economic, organisational, and social benefits of the use of volunteers within policing being paramount. However, it is the economic benefits that are often highlighted within this debate as public policing organisations come under increasing pressure, often as a result of reduced funding and increased demands for service.
This article explores the potential economic benefits of one such under-reported volunteer role in England and Wales, that of the Volunteer Police Cadet (VPC) leader. Based upon original research involving VPC leaders, the article explores the commitment of such volunteers and discusses the potential economic and social benefits. The results indicate a clear economic benefit for policing organisations, whilst highlighting the social benefits for communities at large and for the VPC leaders themselves in terms of personal development. This research, whilst purely indicative rather than completely representative, illuminates the potential for the use of volunteers across a range of roles within policing which may have resonance across a number of countries.