Force recognises volunteers for their length of service and commitment to our communities
A team of dedicated volunteers have been celebrated for their tireless support and commitment to public service at a special award ceremony.
As part of Volunteers’ Week 2026, Dorset Police held a Police Support Volunteers award ceremony at Dorset Police Headquarters, Winfrith, to recognise all our fantastic volunteers do to help keep our communities safe.
Among the winners, Rob Powell was awarded for dedicating over 20 years’ to volunteering for Dorset Police, where he currently acts as a role player. He takes part in a range of practical scenarios to assist with the training for new recruits and current police officers, such as arrest enquiries, stop and search encounters and public order incidents.
He works as an IT consultant in the aerospace and defence sector but has found time to volunteer for many roles over the years. These include assisting with update callbacks to members of the public who have reported anti-social behaviour, attending community events for recruitment, providing crime prevention advice and providing support to victims.
Rob said: “I really enjoy my current role as it provides a lot of satisfaction to see how the students react to practical scenarios and put their classroom learning into practice. I also enjoy working with the police training staff and my fellow volunteers, knowing that our work positively contributes to the Dorset Police training programme.
“I would really encourage others to volunteer as I find it enjoyable and satisfying, and there are a range of volunteer roles to suit everyone based on a very flexible schedule that suits the volunteer's availability.”
Here in Dorset, our police support volunteers work in a variety of roles including cadet leaders, rural mounted volunteers, public contact volunteers who work with our neighbourhood policing teams and Community Speed Watch volunteers.
Assistant Chief Officer Jo Mosley said: “This award ceremony was an opportunity to recognise and thank our volunteers for their remarkable dedication and commitment over many years of service.
“Their willingness to give up their time to support our communities has made a real and lasting difference, and I am incredibly grateful for everything they do. These awards are a reflection of the professionalism, compassion and selflessness shown by each volunteer, and it is only right that we celebrate their achievements and thank them for their continued service.”
If you would like to join our volunteers and make a difference to your community, we have plenty of opportunities for you to choose from. Find out more here: Dorset Volunteers & Special Constables - Working in Partnership
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