Notts police school teams volunteer to ‘keep the cogs turning’ during lockdown

A number of the people who usually support Nottinghamshire Police's Life Skills program in schools have volunteered their services to help during the Coronavirus crisis.
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The team of around ten people have been working on the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) scheme but as this is currently not going ahead due to school closures, they have asked to be signposted elsewhere.

The Volunteer Services Team have placed them around the force in various departments including Stores; where uniform and equipment is organised, Public Protection; the team that investigates all manner of sexual and violent crimes and People Services; the forces Human Resources department.

Superintendent Suk Verma says the force is grateful to have them on board: "Clearly we are facing unprecedented times where there is a huge demand on police forces and we are all working together to keep the cogs turning.

Rachael Wilks (pictured) is one of the volunteers.
She joined the force in 1993 and spent most of her career as a Detective Constable in the Criminal Investigation Department .Rachael Wilks (pictured) is one of the volunteers.
She joined the force in 1993 and spent most of her career as a Detective Constable in the Criminal Investigation Department .
Rachael Wilks (pictured) is one of the volunteers. She joined the force in 1993 and spent most of her career as a Detective Constable in the Criminal Investigation Department .

"These volunteers have selflessly put themselves forward for vital roles and I'd like to massively thank them for wanting to join the fight against the spread of Covid-19.”

The volunteers, who have been working for the Life Skills Education Charity, are retired officers with a variety of backgrounds including the Crime Intelligence Service, Public Protection and Training.

Rachael Wilks (pictured) is one of the volunteers, she joined the force in 1993 and spent most of her career as a Detective Constable in the Criminal Investigation Department and is now utilising her old skill set in the Public Protection Department.

She said: “When the DARE team was informed that Notts Police wanted volunteers to help during the coronavirus outbreak, I was more than happy to go back and work alongside my amazing police colleagues.”

“I will always have a strong connection to the police family and I couldn’t imagine not helping my old force during a national crisis; I had a fantastic career with Notts Police and cannot fault how the organisation looked after me during a serious illness.

“I am just pleased I can offer something back and hopefully lighten the load for frontline officers and staff.”

In a similar move, the force's 11 Schools and Early Intervention Officers (SEIOs) have been moved back into neighbourhood policing teams.