Volunteer profiles

Please see our video of Trevor below:

Rianna's journey has seen her join as a cadet, become a special constable, join as a regular officer and now also taking on the role of a cadet leader within Suffolk Constabulary.    

“Being a cadet enhanced my understanding of different roles within the service and the way the police deal with incidents.”

Rianna has been able to gain much knowledge and experience through being a volunteer:

“Although I was young when I first started with the cadets, there are many aspects of my volunteering I will never forget. I have gained confidence in dealing with conflict which has assisted me in and out of uniform. I have developed such a vast and varied amount of knowledge from cadet through to special constable and now police constable. I would highly recommend volunteering for the Constabulary.

"Being a volunteer has given me an insight into what happens within the police service and other areas of the community and confirmed this is the career for me.”

Please see our video of Dave below:

“My favourite thing about being a leader is seeing the young people grow in themselves over the time that we work with them. Whilst not all want to join the police, seeing those that do go on to join, knowing that you have helped develop and inspire them is very rewarding."

Being a cadet leader is some-thing different from normal policing, you can place a certain amount of influence on cadets you work with and see them grow which gives you a great deal of satisfaction.”

Please see our video of Lucy below:

Graham joined the Suffolk Constabulary Police Support Volunteers scheme in May 2014 and has supported our transport department with passion and dedication.

Since joining, Graham has assisted in lots of different areas of the transport department, in particular, driving duties and stores work.

He has developed a wide range of skills and his knowledge never ceases to amaze those around him.  

Tarnia Harris – Transport Supervisor, Suffolk Constabulary said: “Whilst Covid has been hugely challenging, Graham excelled by nearly doubling his normal hours to support us – An incredible donation of his time! His assistance and contribution have been invaluable and it’s been an absolute privilege to have him with us.  Graham is seen as an integral part of the team.”

When COVID-19 led to a national lockdown, Graham remained resolute and committed to not only provide his normal hours of volunteering, but by stepping up to support the department throughout the entire pandemic by increasing his hours and areas of support.

Graham’s duties have included the delivery of much needed PPE to all areas of Norfolk and Suffolk.

Why I chose to volunteer

I chose to be a volunteer as I had a keen desire to give a little back to the community, it was beneficial also for Robbie who needed a new found purpose after our competition days were over and today we still trek 8-10 miles 3-4 days a week enjoying the countryside whilst being the eyes and ears for Suffolk Police.

What volunteering means to me and Robbie

Volunteering gives me additional focus outside of my full time career as a global director where I am required to do a lot of travelling. Even though I am always on the move, I still have a desire and drive to give something back in life within my local community. Volunteering allows me to talk about something else other than my career and in turn creates interest outside of my day to day.

While most might consider retirement to be a time of relaxation, retired Inspector Mark Shipton saw it as an opportunity to give back to a community he loves dearly.

The 58-year-old was born in Newmarket and although his father was in the military, meaning he had to move around frequently, even spending some time in Malta during his schooling years, Mark always thought of Newmarket as home.

When he was 23 years old, Mark joined the RAF where he served in the Gulf War. He would spend six years in the Air Force before leaving in 1992. Having always loved the thought of policing as a career, he successfully joined the ranks in Thames Valley in 1996, before transferring to Suffolk ten years later in 2006 as a Sergeant where he was stationed in Newmarket, a full circle moment for him.

He said: “It was actually really nice because I was coming home to police the town I was born and grew up in. It was weird but at the same time I was really excited about.”

Mark later became a Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant for six years before being promoted to Bury onto the Operational Partnership Team (OPT), which was later disbanded.

Finally, he returned as the Locality Inspector for Forest Heath up until his retirement.

He said: “I still bump into people who knew my mum and have memories of me as a child, which is always so nice to hear.”

Mark explained that he’s looking forward to get-ting back to ‘the heart’ of what policing is to him. He said: “For me, I’ve always enjoyed the community element of policing and I think that’s why the majority of my career has been spent in those roles.

“I have always enjoyed working with my partners, problem solving and trying to get to the root cause of the problem. Even today, community policing for me holds a dear space in my policing heart.”

In February 2022, Mark decided to retire from the force, though he wasn’t yet ready to give up the act of keeping his beloved neighbourhood safe.

So, after looking into a number of different voluntary options, Mark settled on joining the volunteer team as a Special Constable.

He said: “I thought to myself, I already have all the skills and knowledge, so why not bring that back into this role? That way I could work with young officers and help with their development and vice versa.

“It made perfect sense, so I made my intentions known. I don’t think we as a constabulary have many officers that return as volunteers, so it came as a bit of a shock to most.”

Mark has enjoyed getting back to policing the streets of Newmarket and the other towns in Forest Heath, something he feels he didn’t get much opportunity to do in his role as an Inspector, despite loving the role.

He has hit the ground running getting back to basic policing, gathering intelligence, liaising with partners, and assisting the community, which Mark explained was why he joined the force 26 years ago.

He said: “Many of my colleagues have said I must be crazy or a glutton for punishment.”

Mark generally volunteers one day a week while still making time for all the gardening and home projects he has to complete! He has also recently started a coffee van business.

“I love the role, I love the people. 100% enjoying being back out there,” said Mark. “If I can give something back to the community I love, I’m more than happy to give my time in any way I can.” 

A woman who dreamed of being a police officer at school but chose to fulfil a career as a hairdresser says she has ‘now got the best of both worlds’ after becoming a Special Constable.

Spurred on by the Covid-19 pandemic and lock-down, Tina Barber applied to become a Special Constable in Suffolk in January 2020, after feeling like she wanted to find a ‘new zest for life’ and learn a new career

Now, having been in the role for almost a year, she has explained why being a Special is ‘more than she thought it would ever be’.

“Being a Special has actually given me lots of challenges which I enjoy,” said mother-of-one Tina, who owns her own hairdressers and admits she felt that she wanted to do something else in life, something that would make a difference to others.

“I wanted to do some good and make a difference.

“I remember enquiring about becoming a police officer when I’d just starting out but was told there was a height restriction, being only 5 ft 2, meant I wouldn’t be tall enough.

“I then applied to be a Special 10 years ago but my son was only five, so it wasn’t the right time. I have my own career now and business with supporting staff so I can spend hours building a career with the police and my son is older, so it seemed the right time to apply.”

After successfully training for three months, Tina now volunteers around 50 hours a month of her time as a Special, and admits sometimes she racks up almost 100 hours.

“I thought my age might stop me, as I like to challenge myself but actually it made me more determined,” she continued.

“Being a Special is more than I ever thought it would be. I’m given so many opportunities and the freedom to work with so many different teams. The regular officers are very supportive which is great, I’d actually like to thank the Force for all the support.

“I loved the training and the learning, in all areas of policing, especially the physical side of training, like learning how to defend myself better.

“This has been a whole new challenge, I’ve learnt so much already.

“One highlight from the past year was when I helped find a man who suffered from dementia and was lost. He was so far away from his home, but we helped him get back. To know that I had helped get him home, and to see his family so happy - that was very rewarding.”

Tina became a member of the Police Federation after it was announced in July this year that Special Constables would be eligible to receive legal protection and representation from the staff association.

“I joined the Police Federation so I know that support is there if I need it. I almost see the Federation as a comfort blanket, peace of mind and I would encourage others to join too,” she said.

Tina says her son, is ‘very proud’ of her, and has even shown interest in joining the Force one day himself.

She said: “He is very supportive and my work as a Special has even sparked an interest in the job from him.

“For me, I want to keep going and keep learning. Who knows, one day, I might go for it and apply to be in the Force as a regular officer or in another role.”

If you would like further information about joining as a Suffolk Special Constable, please email [email protected] 

About 9 months ago I was looking for a challenge. Don’t get me wrong family and work can be a struggle, but I felt I could do more.

I considered Army reserves, but I couldn’t face wet nights under a basha or extended periods away from the family at 40yrs of age.

So a timely post from a friend Neil Bloom popped up on LinkedIn of him in a Police uniform talking about volunteering as a Special Constable. A quick catch up sparked my interest.

Suffolk Constabulary have a very organised Citizens in Policing recruiting and training programme to support volunteer special constables through the process. It is very sympathetic to understanding that special constables are volunteers and the recruitment process and training programme supports that. That being said, the training is comprehensive covering law, scenarios and physical aspects of policing.

My training cohort was a fantastic mix of like minded people wanting to better themselves and do the right thing for their community. There was no ‘type’ and we all brought our own life experiences and skill sets to benefit each other.
It’s been really informative and eye opening to policing as a whole and would recommend it to anyone.

If you are interested to learn more, feel free to get in touch or contact the team [email protected] or visit www.suffolk.police.uk/join-us/volunteers/special-constabulary

Special mention to my wife for letting me pursue this and putting up with me reciting the caution repeatedly around the house!

Roll on whatever comes next!

Special Sergeant Martin Ruddy who has always had an ‘appetite for policing’ joined Suffolk Special Constabulary after the Covid-19 pandemic prompted him to train as a volunteer in the Force.

Inspired by his father and stepmother, who both once worked as officers, Martin Ruddy (53) has been volunteering with Suffolk Police for just over 12 months now.

The qualified pilot, who works as a general manager at National Air Traffic Services (NATS) at Stansted Airport, said when he saw Suffolk Constabulary was calling for volunteers, he ‘jumped at the opportunity’.

“There’s a real crossover of learning between volunteering and my professional role. I’ve gained so much already as a Special, and equally, have been able to transfer my skills across the Force, especially as a sergeant,” said father-of-two Martin.

“Working with the police has taught me so much, especially when it comes to people psychology, social interaction and inclusion. I manage up to 50 people in my professional job, and this continuous learning is definitely having a positive impact on my role as a manager.

“I’ve been working in the same career for 30 years, and you get to a certain level in life where the job becomes slightly more relaxed. Volunteering as a Special has taken me away from the comfort of my office - it’s taken me into a whole new world.

“It’s like I’ve started a whole new job. I’ve gone back to basics, out on the streets - and it’s invigorating. Every day comes with its own challenges and that’s what drives me forward.”

Martin, who also has a level five in coaching, says the qualification helps him better understand and manage his team as a Special Sergeant.

“Although I’m only in the infancy of my role as sergeant, my new responsibilities mean volunteering with the Force isn’t just about responding to incidents anymore - it’s about supporting my team, whether that’s helping junior officers progress or being there for career Specials like me, when they need it,” he added.

Martin explained that becoming a Special had exposed him to a whole range of different people, who - despite all coming from various back-grounds - each share the same enthusiasm for volunteering with the police.“

My most memorable moment since becoming a Special is this one particular shift when I was driving back to the station with a colleague and we spotted an argument outside the pub,” Martin recalled.

“Upon intervening, the offender actually ended up assaulting my colleague. At that point, I went to full protection mode - and following the incident, my colleague expressed how grateful he was that I was there to support him.”

If you are interested in finding out more about becoming a Special Constable, please email [email protected] or visit www.suffolk.police.uk/join-us/volunteers