Almost nine out of ten police officers carried out voluntary work or fund-raising on top of their duties during the coronavirus pandemic, a survey has found.
Research carried out for Public Service Day (23 June) by Boundless – a membership club for civil service and public sector workers – revealed 88 per cent of those polled had either volunteered or raised money during the Covid crisis.
Officers who responded were also found to have raised an incredible £13,817 per person for charity throughout the course of their career.
Cambridgeshire Police Federation chair Liz Groom said she was ‘delighted but not surprised’ by the survey findings.
She said: “Police officers tend to be caring, helpful and decent people which is usually why they joined the service in the first place. It comes as no surprise to hear that some of our members have been going out of their way to support a range of great initiatives as volunteers or fund-raisers in their spare time.”
The survey findings were described as ‘fantastic’ by Police Federation chair John Apter.
He said: “Police officers are humble people who do not really want to have the spotlight shone on them. However, I think it is really important we celebrate our colleagues and the difference they make to society both on and off duty.”
Boundless director Darren Milton also paid tribute, adding: “If we didn’t know already just how special the people who work in the police service are, these survey results really underline it.”
The research was conducted for Boundless by Opinion Matters and involved 2,048 employed respondents.
Other survey findings detailed the main voluntary activities supported by police officers and service employees during the pandemic.
These included:
- Donating items – 29 per cent
- Organising fund-raising events – 25 per cent
- Delivering meals or items to underprivileged/vulnerable people – 22 per cent
- Organising virtual quiz nights – 16 per cent
- Online counselling -12 per cent
- Producing and sharing information about Covid – 10 per cent
- Taking part in sponsored walks or runs – 10 per cent
- Making or donating PPE – 10 per cent.