Reflecting on OPCC volunteers this National Volunteers’ Week 2025

This coming week marks Volunteers’ Week, a time to acknowledge the contributions of the 66 dedicated volunteers supporting the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) across Avon and Somerset. These volunteers give their time, energy, and expertise week in, week out, not for recognition or reward, but because they deeply care about fairness, transparency, justice, and community.

Each of our volunteers plays a vital role in helping me and my office hold the police to account. What they do isn’t always easy, but it matters enormously.

Reflecting on their impact in 2024, these volunteers achieved the following:

• 646 individuals in custody were interviewed by Independent Custody Visitors. Their treatment, rights, and entitlements were checked and upheld.
• 96 police complaint files were reviewed in full. Their insights identified areas for improvement and prompted action to be taken.
• 191 cases of police use of force were scrutinised, with over 240 hours of body-worn video footage reviewed. Their findings shaped themes for change, identified areas for improvement, and highlighted examples of good practice.
• 87 Community Resolution cases were reviewed, including cases involving sexual offences, domestic abuse, hate crime, and youth knife possession. Their feedback was shared with magistrates and the Local Criminal Justice Board to drive change.

Additionally, an independent expert board was established to oversee the Tackling Disproportionality programme, helping to ensure it remains focused on achieving long-term, anti-racist reforms in our criminal justice system.

We are currently recruiting new volunteers to join us as Independent Custody Visitors, members of the Independent Scrutiny of Police Complaints Panel (ISOPCP), and the Independent Scrutiny of Police Powers Panel (ISOPPP).

For more information or to apply, visit: OPCC Volunteer recruitment