Metropolitan Police Careers

Meet our volunteers

From helping out their local Safer Neighbourhoods team to lending their skills to a specialist project, Met volunteers come from all walks of life. Here are some of their stories.

Roger Maxwell, Hillingdon

I am slightly ashamed to admit that my decision to become a volunteer with the Met was not to put something back into the community but to get me back into the community. It was one of my better decisions. I have enjoyed - and still enjoy - being a member of an excellent team doing an interesting role, and it's a good feeling being needed again.

Jenny Porter, Waltham Forest

I'm really enjoying my time as a volunteer. It's given me the opportunity to learn more about the Met and I'm also getting involved in some interesting projects. As a blind person, I feel that I have been able to increase people's awareness of disability and that's been very rewarding. I am enjoying meeting new people and feel that I am gaining confidence. Joining the MVP has been a very positive experience for me.

Peter Baylis, Bexley

Volunteering with the Met is one of the best decisions I've made in my 34-year career as a photographer. After four and a half years as a volunteer with this unique family, it has led to paid employment with the Met. I am now under contract exclusively recording the work of the Safer Neighbourhoods programme. A positive experience all round.

Meena Perumal, Newham

I believe the MVP is about the Met reaching out to the community. I hope my volunteering for the Met can cross paths with my work in the Tamil community.

Lyn Phililps, Hillingdon

Hearing that police stations that had previously been closed were being re-opened by members of the local community, I felt impelled to offer my services as a volunteer. I had no idea at the time how interesting and enjoyable the experience would be and I'm proud to say I've since motivated several others to do the same.

Jaz Singh, Newham

I joined the MVP so that I could experience community involvement and the challenge of a different environment. Things must be going well because I am now working as a police community support officer.

Dixie Dean, Hillingdon

When I'm asked why I liked being a volunteer for the Met Police after a lifetime in the Fire Service, I can give any number of reasons. Being able to help keep the station open six days a week 10am-5pm with the other volunteers who are a pleasure to be with. Helping the public who arrive at the front desk with all kinds of queries from lost property to minor crimes. The police officers are very helpful and the atmosphere is very genial. All in all, it's just very satisfying to be able to be useful in my retirement years and still provide a service.

Sue Frett, Kingston

Having been involved in a senior sales and marketing role all my life, when I retired it was very rewarding to find the MVP where my customer care skills could still be put into practice. I didn't realise that being retired could be so much fun.