Howard Clemo – Longest Serving Police Volunteer – National Volunteers’ Week
To mark National Volunteers’ Week South Wales Police profiles Howard Clemo, 76 year old from Barry in Vale of Glamorgan, is the longest serving police support volunteer having worked with South wales Police for over eight years.
Howard Clemo – longest serving volunteer
Howard is a vital member of the Community Safer Vale Partnership team covering Barry and Penarth, and is involved in co-ordinating the Barry pub watch scheme and informing community police officers about local issues which assists in problem solving.
When asked why he decided to become a volunteer Howard said:
“I worked through the ranks at British Telecom from controller to inspector in charge of 56 staff and when the time came they said I had to take retirement” he laughs, “Around this time I heard about the newly promoted Police Volunteer Scheme and thought it would be a good thing to do – and I was right!
“It’s quite uncanny but during my time with BT, I spent two years inserting cabling at Barry Police Station when it was first built – I was obviously meant to go back.”
Since he joined the force in 2008 as a Police Support Volunteer, Howard has been awarded many certificates in recognition of his support to policing which Howard says are proudly placed on the walls at his home, these include:
2009 from Chief Superintendent David Dando
2010 from the Police Authority
2010 winner of the prestigious `extra mile’ award at the force 2010 Annual Awards Ceremony
2012 as a finalist in the annual awards ceremony
2013 in appreciation of 2000 hours as a dedicated service police support volunteer from Chief Constable Peter Vaughan.
“The most important thing about volunteering” Howard said, “Is a willingness to be helpful. My skills and abilities were assessed and then matched with the best suited role(s). I chose this role because I really enjoy computer related tasks and communicating with people.”
The most rewarding part of becoming a volunteer for Howard is the feeling that he is being useful and knowing what he is doing has a positive impact on the community in which he lives.
“I’ll continue volunteering with the force for as long as my health allows” Howard concludes.
Police Support Volunteers
Police Support Volunteers are citizen volunteers who give their time freely to perform tasks which complement the duties performed by police officers and staff. This helps free up officers and staff to perform key operational duties. Volunteer roles range from providing front counter services and administration to following up crime reports and incidents with members of the public. These volunteer roles provide significant benefits to the Police Service and to local communities. In more recent years contribution to NATO Summit, IAWP Conference and other key major events.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email News@News.Wales
