Volunteer with us

For more information or to apply for any of the roles below, please email [email protected]. 

Youth Independent Advisory Group Members Aged 13-17

Do you fancy helping us make a difference? British Transport Police is looking for youth members to join our Independent Advisory Groups.

If you're aged 13-17 we'd love for you to join us. If you're interested and would like to find out more, let's talk!

Ping an email to [email protected]

View the Youth IAG Flyer here

Volunteer Role Player – Search Dog Training – Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool

Explosive Search Dogs (ESD) are vital in contributing to BTP’s counter terrorism strategy. They are deployed on a daily basis throughout the country in order to keep the travelling public safe. ESD follow a strict programme of training and licensing in order to be deployed operationally. Before a team is able to be put forward for licensing they are required to have completed a set number of training days in people screening, in which the dog needs to detect a scent hidden on a person.

Volunteers are vital in ensuring that the ESD teams are given the highest level of training possible and that it is as realistic as possible. This will positively impact on the standard of ESD teams, significantly increasing their chances of success. The volunteer will be required to carry a training aid at a train station during normal operating hours. This will be for a number of scenarios as directed by the instructor.

The dogs used for people screening are currently either of the Spaniel or Labrador breed. Those that are allergic to dogs or nervous around dogs should not apply.

The volunteer will be required to make their own way to the venues as directed. Travel costs will be reimbursed. 

There is no specific training required in order to undertake this role. A full briefing will be given to the volunteer before the commencement of each training scenario.

Taser (CED) Working Group Panellist

We actively seek the opinion of a group of vetted volunteers who support us as a 'critical friend' by reviewing our use of Police Powers, such as Stop Search and the Use of Force, including Taser.

Independent scrutiny helps BTP and the BTP Authority  to understand areas of concern and to highlight best practice. This in turn, improves the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our policing services in the communities we are here to serve.  

Through transparency and openness, our Taser Scrutiny Panel helps us to:

• Build public confidence in our policing
• Hold the police to account for its performance
• Provide quality data to understand and identify issues - for example disproportionality - at an early stage, to enable prompt and evidence-based resolutions.

The Taser (CED) Volunteer Working Group will discuss BTP’s use of Taser performance as well as scrutinising anonymised Taser deployment records and comparing against Body Worn Video (BWV).  Your views will then be fed back to BTP and help shape how BTP officers use force, train and learn – you have the opportunity to make a real difference.

A presentation on operational activity and the data generated will be a key focus of discussion. The group, working in conjunction with a community co-chair and police co-chair, will direct where they wish scrutiny to focus on which have been borne from community concerns. You will be encouraged to offer critical feedback, and be bold in discussing your thoughts.

Panellists will need to work constructively with others, respecting differing values and diverse backgrounds, and have an interest in the criminal justice system. It will be beneficial to have an inquisitive mind with the ability to analyse information, identify key issues of concern and report back as necessary. A commitment to equality and diversity and an understanding of the effects of discrimination is key.

Requirements

• Scrutiny meetings shall be held every three months.
• You must be 18 or over
• You must be willing to serve for a minimum of two years
• You must be willing to attend regular meetings throughout each year (usually between 3 to 4 meetings)
• Have an interest in working together with policing to improve community relations.
• You must not be a current member of the Force/Local Independent Advisory Groups (IAG), a serving British Transport Police Authority member, a current police officer/member of police staff or volunteer. This is not an exhaustive list and is to avoid any conflict of interest.
• Travel expenses will be provided.

Use of Force Working Group Panellist

We actively seek the opinion of a group of vetted volunteers who support us as a 'critical friend' by reviewing our use of Police Powers, such as Stop Search and the Use of Force.

Independent scrutiny helps BTP and the BTP Authority to understand areas of concern and to highlight best practice. This in turn, improves the overall efficiency and effectiveness of our policing services in the communities we are here to serve.  

Through transparency and openness, our Use of Force Scrutiny Panel helps us to:

• Build public confidence in our policing
• Hold the police to account for its performance
• Provide quality data to understand and identify issues - for example disproportionality - at an early stage, to enable prompt and evidence-based resolutions.

The Use of Force Volunteer Working Group will discuss BTP’s Use of Force performance as well as scrutinising anonymised Use of Force records and comparing against Body Worn Video (BWV). Your views will then be fed back to BTP and help shape how BTP officers use force – you have the opportunity to make a real difference. We will encourage you to be critical and to be bold with your opinion.

A presentation on operational activity and the data generated will be a key focus of discussion. The group, working in conjunction with a community co-chair and police co-chair, will direct where they wish scrutiny to focus on which have been borne from community concerns.

Panellists will need to work constructively with others, respecting differing values and diverse backgrounds, and have an interest in the criminal justice system. It will be beneficial to have an inquisitive mind with the ability to analyse information, identify key issues of concern and report back as necessary. A commitment to equality and diversity and an understanding of the effects of discrimination is key.

Requirements

• Scrutiny meetings shall be held every three months.
• You must be 18 or over
• You must be willing to serve for a minimum of two years
• You must be willing to attend regular meetings throughout each year (usually between 3 to 4 meetings)
• Have an interest in working together with policing to improve community relations.
• You must not be a current member of the Force/Local Independent Advisory Groups (IAG), a serving British Transport Police Authority member, a current police officer/member of police staff or volunteer. This is not an exhaustive list and is to avoid any conflict of interest.
• Travel costs can be claimed.
  
  

Stop and Search Working Group Panellist

The Stop & Search Volunteer Working Group will discuss BTP’s stop and search performance as well as scrutinising anonymised stop and search records and comparing against Body Worn Video (BWV). Your views will then be fed back to BTP and help shape how BTP carries out stop and search – you have the opportunity to make a real difference.

A presentation on operational activity and the data generated will be a key focus of discussion. As a group, working in conjunction with a community co-chair and police co-chair, you will direct where you wish scrutiny to focus on, which have arisen from community concerns.

Panellists will need to work constructively with others, respecting differing values and diverse backgrounds, and have an interest in the criminal justice system. It will be beneficial to have an inquisitive mind with the ability to analyse information, identify key issues of concern and report back as necessary. A commitment to equality and diversity and an understanding of the effects of discrimination is key.

Requirements

• Scrutiny meetings shall be held every three months.
• You must be 18 or over
• You must be willing to serve for a minimum of two years
• You must be willing to attend regular meetings throughout each year (usually between 3 to 4 meetings)
• Have an interest in working together with policing to improve community relations.
• In addition to the meetings, you must be willing to undertake induction and other continuous professional development as required, be involved in the creation of agendas, read information ahead of meetings and be prepared to challenge and make decisions as required.
• You must not be a current member of the Force/Local Independent Advisory Groups (IAG), a serving British Transport Police Authority, a current police officer/member of police staff. This is not an exhaustive list and is to avoid any conflict of interest.

Further information can be found on the role profile

Stop and Search Working Group Co-Chair

The community co-chair will chair the Stop and Search Working Group. The group will discuss BTP’s stop and search performance as well as scrutinising anonymised stop and search records and comparing against Body Worn Video (BWV).  You are responsible for ensuring the views of the community are acknowledged are fed back to BTP which will help shape how BTP carries out stop and search – you have the opportunity to make a real difference.

A presentation on operational activity and the data generated will be a key focus of discussion. The group will work in conjunction with you as co-chair and the police co-chair, and direct where you wish scrutiny to focus on, which have arisen from community concerns.

You will co-chair meetings of the Stop & Search Working Group panel including agreeing with the Police Chair attendees, agenda items, panel discussion items and participants, and represent the Stop and Search Working Group both internally to police staff and externally. Your role will support the aims of the group to liaise with the media alongside the Police chair, and will follow up on agenda item action points.

Co-chairs will need to work constructively with others, respecting differing values and diverse backgrounds, and have an interest in the criminal justice system. It will be beneficial to have an inquisitive mind with the ability to analyse information, identify key issues of concern and report back as necessary. A commitment to equality and diversity and an understanding of the effects of discrimination is key.

Requirements

• Scrutiny meetings shall be held every three months.
• You must be 18 or over
• You must be willing to serve for a minimum of two years
• You must be willing to attend regular meetings throughout each year (usually between 3 to 4 meetings)
• Have an interest in working together with policing to improve community relations
• In addition to the meetings, you must be willing to undertake induction and other continuous professional development as required, be involved in the creation of agendas, read information ahead of meetings and be prepared to challenge and make decisions as required.
• You must not be a current member of the Force/Local Independent Advisory Groups (IAG), a serving British Transport Police Authority, a current police officer/member of police staff. This is not an exhaustive list and is to avoid any conflict of interest.

Further information can be found on the role profile

Stop and Search Reasonable Grounds Panellist

The Reasonable Grounds Panel is an innovative police and community co-production approach to allow BTP to further embed transparency and community voices within their stop and search powers oversight.

BTP are looking for volunteers to represent the panel, to capture an additional layer of insight, with an interest in those from seldom heard communities. The Panel engages members of the public directly in determining whether individual officers have met the legal requirements for ‘reasonable grounds’ when using their powers, and provides the basis for follow-up action where it is deemed that this requirement has not been met. The Panel consists of both police officers and community members who assess the grounds or reasons given by officers for stopping and searching a member of the public.

Panellists will need to work constructively with others, respecting differing values and diverse backgrounds, and have an interest in the criminal justice system. It will be beneficial to have an inquisitive mind with the ability to analyse information, identify key issues of concern and report back as necessary. A commitment to equality and diversity and an understanding of the effects of discrimination is key.

Requirements

• Scrutiny meetings shall be held every three months.
• You must be 18 or over
• You must be willing to serve for a minimum of two years
• You must be willing to attend regular meetings throughout each year (usually between 3 to 4 meetings)
• Have an interest in working together with policing to improve community relations
• In addition to the meetings, you must be willing to undertake induction and other continuous professional development as required, be involved in the creation of agendas, read information ahead of meetings and be prepared to challenge and make decisions as required.
• You must not be a current member of the Force/Local Independent Advisory Groups (IAG), a serving British Transport Police Authority, a current police officer/member of police staff. This is not an exhaustive list and is to avoid any conflict of interest.

Further information can be found on the role profile

Stop and Search Reasonable Grounds Co-Chair 

The Reasonable Grounds Panel is an innovative police and community co-production approach to allow BTP to further embed transparency and community voices within their stop and search powers oversight.

BTP are looking for a co-chair to represent the panel, to capture an additional layer of insight, with an interest in those from seldom heard communities. The Panel engages members of the public directly in determining whether individual officers have met the legal requirements for ‘reasonable grounds’ when using their powers, and provides the basis for follow-up action where it is deemed that this requirement has not been met. The Panel consists of both police officers and community members who assess the grounds or reasons given by officers for stopping and searching a member of the public.

You will chair meetings of the Reasonable Grounds panel, including agreeing with the Police Chair, panel cases items and any other relevant issue to facilitate this meeting, and to meet aims of the group to liaise with the media alongside the Police Chair. You will assist the Police chair in accessing our most affected communities to ensure that the RGP gives them an active part to play in the ethical, effective and open to scrutiny approach to stop and search. The role will also involve support the police chair in the collation of evidence for all HMIC visits and inspections regimes supported by BTP Corporate services.

Co-chairs will need to work constructively with others, respecting differing values and diverse backgrounds, and have an interest in the criminal justice system. It will be beneficial to have an inquisitive mind with the ability to analyse information, identify key issues of concern and report back as necessary. A commitment to equality and diversity and an understanding of the effects of discrimination is key.

Requirements

• Scrutiny meetings shall be held every three months.
• You must be 18 or over
• You must be willing to serve for a minimum of two years
• You must be willing to attend regular meetings throughout each year (usually between 3 to 4 meetings)
• Have an interest in working together with policing to improve community relations
• In addition to the meetings, you must be willing to undertake induction and other continuous professional development as required, be involved in the creation of agendas, read information ahead of meetings and be prepared to challenge and make decisions as required.
• You must not be a current member of the Force/Local Independent Advisory Groups (IAG), a serving British Transport Police Authority, a current police officer/member of police staff. This is not an exhaustive list and is to avoid any conflict of interest.

Further information can be found on the role profile

IAG (Independent Advisory Group) Administrator – Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester

The purpose of this role is to provide administrative support to the group and to ensure that members are kept informed of divisional updates. The majority of work for these roles can be done from home but there will be the requirement to attend meetings every 2-3 months at local BTP venues. Tasks involve general administrative duties, liaising with and inviting members to meetings and events, taking meeting minutes and chasing actions, assisting with expenses and vetting applications and applicants will need to be well organised with a mature attitude and strong communication skills. The Pennine IAGs are seeking volunteers for these roles, based in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.

IAG (Independent Advisory Group) Administrator – Glasgow

The purpose of this role is to provide administrative support to the group and to ensure that members are kept informed of divisional updates. The majority of work for these roles can be done from home but there will be the requirement to attend regular meetings at local BTP venues. Tasks involve general administrative duties, liaising with and inviting members to meetings and events, taking meeting minutes and chasing actions, assisting with expenses and vetting applications and applicants will need to be well organised with a mature attitude and strong communication skills. The Scotland IAGs are seeking a volunteer for these roles, based in Glasgow.

Independent Advisory Group Members – Glasgow

Our IAGs help us engage with communities, develop our plans and act as critical friends reviewing our activity and operations. The groups consist of volunteers drawn from various backgrounds and communities and members should have an interest in policing and its effects on communities; the group members bring relevant expertise, experience and integrity. We’re looking for volunteers to attend quarterly meetings as well as occasional operational activities in order to provide independent feedback. Applicants should also have strong communication and organisational skills.

Ex-BTP police officers, PCSOs, Staff or Special Constables will not be considered for the role, as IAG members have to be truly independent from the force.

History Group Volunteer

The British Transport Police History Group are looking to recruit a volunteer to assist with an oral histories project; group members will be undertaking interviews of retired officers and staff members and are in need of a volunteer with a good listening ear, typing skills and attention to detail to document the content of the interviews. The role will probably be best suited to someone with an interest in policing and/or history more generally, but that’s not necessarily essential. Applicants for this role can be based at any location and can do the majority of the work from home as it can be sent over electronically; the role will be suited to someone patient and organised with a few hours to spare each month.

SAME Communications Volunteer - London

The Support Association for Minority Ethnic Staff (SAME) at BTP are looking for a volunteer to help to enhance the association’s communication with its members. SAME raises awareness of various faith and culture concerns and the volunteer in this role will support the General Secretary as well as various other members of the committee. Tasks will also include the maintenance of the membership database and the creation of a regular newsletter. The volunteer in this role will also assist with the organisation of internal events to raise the profile of SAME and applicants should have relevant experience in producing/editing content, administrative skills and strong IT skills. The role will primarily be based at Finsbury Park station with some events in Camden.

Cycle Crime Coordinators in Cheltenham, Reading and Oxford

Volunteers in this role will help our officers to organise and promote crime reduction initiatives in cycle crime, visiting areas where cycle crime is a problem and putting cycle marking schemes in place, linking in with the local cycling community, stakeholders and businesses to raise awareness of bike registering and tactics to prevent crime. Volunteers will engage with the public to raise awareness of how they can protect themselves from becoming a victim, freeing up our officers’ time to work on frontline duties. Volunteers will help to gather intelligence as well as offer recommendations on how best to develop initiatives. We’re looking to recruit volunteers with the drive to encourage the use of greener forms of transport as well as strong communication and organisation skills and a creative approach to problem solving. The hours are flexible but there will be the need to attend community and in-house BTP meetings to update on activity.

Community Engagement Volunteers - Various Locations

Volunteers needed to assist our busy teams across the country. Volunteers in this role will help to promote crime reduction initiatives, help with cycle marking and promote current BTP campaigns. Volunteers will engage with the public to raise awareness of how they can protect themselves from becoming a victim of crime as well as taking part in community activities and increasing BTP’s presence. In turn, this will enable more officers to spend more time working on other front line duties. Examples of some of BTP's campaign initiatives include focusing on hate crime (We Stand Together) and sexual offences (Report It to Stop It).

Garden Volunteer – Norwood Junction (London)

Our community garden at Norwood Junction Railway Station has been running for over four years now. Initially set up by the Neighbourhood Policing Team as just a nice space to enjoy, the garden now plays an important part in the community of Norwood and the surrounding areas. Every month local schools are invited to attend workshops which mean that the children are encouraged to engage in some gardening and enjoy the space as well as taking part in talks about safety in the railway environment. We are looking for a few volunteers with an interest in gardening and working with young people in order to provide support at the workshops. Relevant experience is desirable but training will be provided.

Volunteer Cadet Leaders – Birmingham, London, York and Glasgow

Our Volunteer Police Cadets are a voluntary uniformed youth group for those interested in making a difference to their communities. There are currently four groups located in Birmingham, London (Islington), York and Glasgow, and we’re currently recruiting for all units. A background in youth work (paid or voluntary) is preferred but strong communication and organisational skills are essential. On average you will attend one evening session with cadets, one operational activity per month along with one weekend camp every quarter.