Almost 90 per cent of police officers volunteered to carry out unpaid community work or fund-raising activities alongside their duties throughout the coronavirus pandemic, a new survey has found.
Research carried out for Public Service Day (23 June) by Boundless - a membership club for civil service and public sector workers – found 88 per cent of those polled had either volunteered or raised money during the covid crisis.
Officers who responded were also found to have raised an amazing £13,817 per person for charity during the course of their career.
Staffordshire Police Federation secretary Glyn Pattinson praised members who had got involved with community work during the pandemic.
He said: “I think it’s wonderful that so many officers gave up their own spare time to volunteer or undertake fund-raising work during the pandemic.
“This new survey highlights what most of us already know about our colleagues and their willingness to go the extra mile to help out.
“Most of them wouldn’t think twice about getting involved with voluntary work outside their normal policing duties and they deserve credit for that.”
The survey findings were described as ‘fantastic’ by Police Federation national chair John Apter.
He said: “Police officers are humble people who do not really want to have the spotlight shone on them. However, I think it is really important we celebrate our colleagues and the difference they make to society both on and off duty.”
Boundless director Darren Milton also paid tribute: “If we didn’t know already just how special the people who work in the police service are, these survey results really underline it.”
The research was conducted for Boundless by Opinion Matters and involved 2,048 employed respondents.
Other survey findings detailed the main voluntary activities supported by police officers and service employees during the pandemic.
These included:
- Donating items - 29 per cent
- Organising fund-raising events - 25 per cent
- Delivering meals or items to underprivileged/vulnerable people - 22 per cent
- Organising virtual quiz nights - 16 per cent
- Online counselling -12 per cent
- Producing and sharing information about Covid - 10 per cent
- Taking part in sponsored walks or runs - 10 per cent
- Making or donating PPE - 10 per cent
