03/28/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

THIS week marks National Volunteers’ Week 2019 – a chance to celebrate volunteers’ fantastic contributions, to say thank you to all volunteers, and to promote exciting volunteering opportunities.

Currently, over 60 people from Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys volunteer for the Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys.

They volunteer in a variety of roles; as Independent Custody Visitors, Animal Welfare Visitors, Quality Assurance Panel Members, and in the Office’s newest role, as Youth Ambassadors.

The Police & Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn said: “I would like to personally thank all of our volunteers who give their time to these vital roles. Each and every one of them play an important part in maintaining high standards within Dyfed-Powys Police. Diolch.”

The Commissioner’s Independent Custody Visitors provide an independent check on the welfare of detainees, the conditions in which they are being checked, and to ensure the detainees’ rights are upheld.

Independent Custody Visitor John Jones said: “I believe that the Custody Staff within the Force accept the need for the scrutiny we provide through this volunteering role, and they are always willing to discuss matters with us – this makes me feel part of something which is making a difference.”

Dafydd Llywelyn adds: “I am extremely proud of the Independent Custody Visitors’ work, and that of my Office, as the Scheme has recently been awarded the Gold Level in Quality Assurance by the Independent Custody Visiting Association.”

Animal Welfare Visitors undertake independent checks on all police dogs to ensure they are housed, trained and transported in appropriate conditions, in order to be able to perform to the best of their abilities whilst on duty.

Liz Davies, one of the Commissioner’s Animal Welfare Visitors said: “I am proud to be able to help Dyfed-Powys Police ensure that their dogs have the best welfare that the Force can offer: The standard is very high.”

The Quality Assurance Panel scrutinises Police contact with the public. For example, complaint cases, Stop and Search cases and police handling of calls in to the Force’s Communication Centre i.e. 101 and 999 calls.

Ian Jones, a member of the Quality Assurance Panel said: “I hope that my contribution to the Panel can help those living in the force area to be re-assured that there is some local involvement in the supervision and scrutiny of the Force.”

Dafydd Llywelyn adds: “I am also pleased to be able to report a further award nomination for our volunteers. The Panel was nominated under the ‘Volunteer of the Year’ category at the recent Dyfed-Powys Police Annual Awards 2019. Runners Up – Da iawn!”

The Commissioner’s newest group of volunteers, his Youth Ambassadors, sit on the newly- formed Youth Engagement Forum. Catrin Howells-Lloyd, Policy and Engagement Advisor for the Commissioner who oversees the Youth Forum said: “The Youth Forum allows young people to get involved and have their say about policing and crime where they live. Youth Ambassadors support, challenge and inform the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Dyfed-Powys Police, helping the Commissioner and the Police to make better decisions to meet the needs of young people.”

Dafydd Llywelyn adds: “We are always eager to hear from individuals who are interested in these volunteering roles. If you would like to find out more, or would like to join our team, please contact my Office.”

Further information on each of the volunteering roles is available on the Commissioner’s website at http://www.dyfedpowys-pcc.org.uk/en/the-office/volunteer-schemes/.

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