Gloucestershire Constabulary is inviting local business leaders to learn more about Employer Supported Policing (ESP).

ESP is a powerful partnership between businesses, the Constabulary and local communities. At its heart ESP enables a powerful and innovative way for businesses, public sector organisations and the police to work proactively together and participate in what volunteering can achieve.

It provides police-trained staff in local business, leading to numerous benefits for both employers, the constabulary and employees.

The scheme is simple but very powerful. As a supporting employer, you allow your staff to be trained as Special Constables - volunteer police officers. These Special Constables, once trained, will carry out patrols in their local areas with full police powers and in many cases alongside experienced police officers.

The scheme is completely bespoke in order to suit a business's individual requirements and importantly, there is no contractual obligation on businesses who register.

To register, employers need to complete a registration form, which will ensure that company details are entered onto the force's employee volunteering database to show all police forces that you are a company that supports policing. We will also issue you with a Certificate of Participation which you can display and our partnership logo for your own use.

The database produces reports on the ESP hours plus details of the activities and training of your employee who is a police volunteer. These statistics are shared yearly with our registered partners.

In return, employers will gain tangible benefits within a short time. Policing offers a level of development that cannot be bought commercially. Employees carry out their usual 'day job' at their workplace and will have the added benefit of police training and experience. This enables employees to expand their skills, increase their confidence, connect with their community and employer and aid their career progression.

In addition, by supporting such a unique voluntary role, you are also supporting your local communities in terms of helping make neighbourhoods a safer place to live and work in.

There are over 430 companies signed up nationwide. The following companies are directly supporting policing in Gloucestershire by allowing their staff who are Special Constables and Police Support Volunteers additional paid leave to complete to their volunteer duties:

• NMITE
• The Publica Group
• EDF Energy
• Tesco
• Lloyds Banking Group
• BAE Systems
• Barclays
• Ministry of Defence
• Gloucestershire Constabulary
• Sage
• Severn Trent Water
• South Gloucestershire Council

Gloucestershire Constabulary warmly welcomes leaders from all business types across the county to learn more about their ESP scheme and how it can benefit their staff and businesses by supporting volunteers.

Along with strengthening network connections and complimentary refreshments you will have the opportunity to learn more about how ESP can help you including:

• Staff development at little cost
• Improved staff morale and motivation
• Greater staff retention and lower recruitment costs
• Key 'marketable' enhancement of corporate social responsibility

Business leaders are invited to attend an information session from 6pm to 8pm on Wednesday, February 22, at The Sabrina Centre, Gloucestershire & Science Technology Park, Berkeley, GL13 9FB.

For more information on Employer Supported Policing and how to register, please use the online contact form