Volunteer Roles
Police Youth Volunteers
South Wales Police Youth Volunteers (PYVs) are an important part of the police family.
The PYV scheme is for those aged between 14 and 18, and is part of a police uniformed youth group recognised throughout the UK. It is not about recruiting police officers, but aims to develop a sense of good citizenship in young people.
The scheme has five objectives:
- To encourage the spirit of adventure and good citizenship.
- To support local policing priorities through volunteering.
- To give young people a chance to be heard.
- To inspire young people to participate positively in their communities.
- To promote a practical understanding of policing amongst all young people.
It’s an excellent opportunity and will look great on your CV when you start applying for work or to colleges and universities.
We are now accepting expressions of interest to join a local hub. This can be done online here.
We accept expressions of interest from those who are between 13 and a half and 17 years old, and reside within the force area. Your expression of interest will be registered on the central waiting list and you will be offered a place in a local PYV Hub as soon as you are eligible and space becomes available. Please note that the scheme is very popular and as a result, in some areas there is a longer wait to join.
We currently have PYV Hubs based in Cardiff, Bridgend, Barry, Penarth, Swansea, Port Talbot, Neath, Cynon Valley and Merthyr.
If you are interested in finding out more about the Police Youth Volunteer scheme, please email [email protected]
Police Support Volunteers
Police Support Volunteers are an integral part of South Wales Police. They are people who give their time freely to perform tasks which complement the duties performed by police officers and staff. They are part of the police culture and are highly valued, not only for the direct support they provide, but also for their key links to the community.
Volunteers are vetted and can undertake many roles such as being a student volunteer while at university, playing in the South Wales Police band, tackling cybercrime, assisting neighbourhood officers to tackle anti-social behaviour and delivery of crime prevention initiatives, and supporting witness care.
Further information is available here; you can also email [email protected]
Police Student Volunteers
The Student Volunteer scheme runs parallel with our Police Support Volunteer Scheme. Students at universities in Cardiff, Swansea and Treforest play a proactive role in keeping their local communities safe, for the benefit of both the wider community and the student population of their campus and student villages. By taking an active interest in their local communities, students can counter any negative stereotypes and make a real difference in their communities.
The activities undertaken by student volunteers have also been used by the universities in their Police Sciences BSc, for example, to provide practical case studies in the teaching of research methods to the students. Working under the direction of members of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams, students engage directly with serving Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers.
The recruitment of Police Student Volunteers is initially administered through the Student Volunteer Council in each campus, working in partnership with members of the local Neighbourhood Policing teams.
The recruitment of Student Volunteers usually takes place in May and September each year and the competition for places is extremely high. Further details can be obtained from your Students' Union; you can also email [email protected]
South Wales Police Band
Members of the South Wales Police Band include serving and retired Police Officers, Police Staff and Volunteers from the communities of South Wales.
The South Wales Police Band and Drums were formed in 1981 and over the years have played for many and varied audiences in the South Wales area, providing marching music for numerous parades, carnivals and formal occasions. Some of the notable highlights have included performances on the BBC's ‘Blue Peter’, ‘Children in Need’, ‘Songs of Praise’, playing for royalty and at the Berlin Tattoo.
The Police Band is also internationally renowned, having performed in France, Belgium and Malta to celebrate the Dunkirk evacuation of 1940 and the liberation of Northern France/Belgium in 1944.
The Police Band welcome requests for their attendance at future community based events, but due to heavy demand it is recommended that any requests are submitted many months in advance to Mr John Morgan via [email protected]
Alternatively, if you are interested in becoming a volunteer musician with the band, please email [email protected]
Volunteer Chaplains
The main purpose of the role is to provide an inter-denominational pastoral support service to police officers, staff, volunteers and their families.
For further information email [email protected]
Police and Crime Commissioner volunteer opportunities
There are also opportunities to support our Police and Crime Commissioner to hold the police to account by independently checking how we care for the people in our custody and our animals by volunteering with our: