Employer Supported Policing (ESP)

What is Employer Supported Policing?

Employer Supported Policing (ESP) is a partnership between employers, their staff and the police which allows staff who volunteer in policing, as either special constables or police support volunteers, to take an agreed amount of paid time off work to undertake volunteer police duties and/or training within their communities. In return, this then equips staff with transferable skills that can be used in the workplace.

ESP promotes increased community engagement and supports the ethical, social, and community aims of many employers. The partnership highlights what volunteering can achieve for private, public and community organisations, and can provide long-term benefits for those involved, such as allowing the police to learn about the issues which matter to local businesses and offers benefits in terms of staff development.

How Employer Supported Policing works

If you’re an employee who volunteers as a special constable or a police support volunteer, you will be supported by your employer to carry out your volunteering duties (hours of support are determined by the employer) and some of these can be carried out during your usual working hours.

If you’re an employer and part of the ESP scheme, your staff who volunteer within policing will carry out their duties which will be agreed between you as the employer and the employee. Employers have the flexibility to manage their own ESP policies, with no minimum commitment for the number of days offered and can be managed at the employer’s discretion.

In 2025 our special constables utilised 296 hours of Employer Supported Policing.

Benefits of Employer Supported Policing

For the employer:

• Develop an enhanced reputation and profile within local communities
• Contribute to morale, wellbeing and employee retention
• Allow your staff to gain a wide range of transferable skills, such as confidence, assertiveness, effective communication, and teamwork that can be used to support your business
• Gain a level of staff development that cannot be obtained via normal commercial means or training
• Allow your business and the police to work proactively together to tackle local issues with local officers
• Provide positive marketing opportunities in relation to supporting local communities

For the employee:

• Equip you with transferable skills that can be used in the workplace, while carrying out your volunteering police duties and in your personal life
• Carry out your volunteering duties that fits around you and your day job, as agreed with your employer
• Gain an insight into local policing, creating positive relationships with members of the public and giving back to your local community
• Provide development opportunities which could further lead to career progression
• Inspire others around you and reinforce community spirit

How to get involved

If you are an employee, or employer interested in getting involved, or if you have any questions about ESP, please contact [email protected]