Employer Supported Policing (ESP) Scheme
ESP is a national scheme supported by the Home Office. The scheme provides a great way for employers to play their part in making their community safer by giving their staff paid leave to undertake their volunteer duties as a special constable. It increases the knowledge within the company workforce, as well as supporting the ethical, social and community aims of many organisations.
Being part of the scheme can benefit businesses by developing individual skills, boosting staff morale, leading to happier and more confident employees. Staff who are special constables are widely regarded by employers as being more committed, dependable, confident, and responsible in the workplace.
Once trained, these special constables will carry out patrols around Kent with full police powers.
Benefits
In return for signing-up to the scheme, you will receive a highly trained and skilled member of staff - benefits that cannot be bought commercially. Employees carry out their usual 'day job' at their workplace, but have the benefit of police training and experience, bringing with it knowledge and skills that are transferable into their professional discipline.
Benefits to your organisation include:
- supporting your staff and the local community
- work proactively with other public sector organisations and the police
- enhanced reputation and profile within the local community
- positive marketing opportunity
- develop your staff, making them feel confident and valued
- police-trained staff working on your premises, doing their usual ‘day job’ when not on duty as a special constable, with the benefit of extensive experience and skills
- enhance morale, well-being and retention of staff
- staff who are properly briefed in respect of local crime trends
- help staff with career progression and the transferable skills they gain will enhance your organisation
To become a special constable, your staff will need to carry out a minimum of 16 hours operational policing each month, this is achieved either in their own time or with ESP time provided to them. The level of commitment your organisation makes can be flexible, so please contact us about how you can support the programme.
Three quarters of volunteers say volunteering has made them feel physically healthier and lowered their stress levels which not only benefit you, but your employee and community too.
Our commitment to you
We will provide your staff with the training and skills necessary for them to become a competent special constable including the seven core skills that every police officer must be proficient in:
- customer focus
- effective communication
- personal responsibility
- problem solving
- resilience
- respect for diversity
- teamwork
The reward to you is a hard-working, skilled and committed member of your team.
This training is provided at no additional cost to the you, so there's no financial burden to employers in allowing their staff to build new skills and gain confidence.
Apply
As an employer, your involvement is vitally important to the success of ESP for your organisation, staff, the police and the public.
Please contact the team if you have any further questions or if you would like to participate in the scheme.