11:48am Monday 30th June 2008
By Diane Scott
POLICE are searching for members of the public to help with the training of student police officers.
The volunteers will be asked to interact with the students in a variety of role-play scenarios.
There will be a variety of different scenarios covered during the training such as handing in lost property or being stopped as a shoplifting suspect.
The role-play is designed to be as realistic as possible to improve the training of the student officers.
Basic training will be given to all volunteers who will then take part in the training exercises.
Feedback from volunteers will include how they feel the student officers treated them and aims to measure the impact of the officers' attitudes and behaviours on them.
PC Martyn Cole, of Wiltshire Police, said: "Being able to use volunteers to help with our training will be an invaluable contribution to the student officers.
"Additionally, it will give those who volunteer an insight into the training our officers undergo and will hopefully maintain and improve our interaction with the public.
"I look forward to meeting all those prepared to volunteer in the near future."
Training will take place at Wiltshire Police Headquarters in Devizes where an open evening will be held in July.
Anyone over 18 years old can apply and the training will take place on five days over the year.
For more information, contact PC Cole on 0845 408 7000 or email martyn.cole@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk
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