Durham’s volunteer police officers can now log on for duty without leaving their homes, thanks to an innovative scheme launched this week.
The Emergency Services Internet Booking System – ESIBS – is a duty recording management, communications, event organisation and document sharing system for members of Durham Special Constabulary and also police support volunteers.
Hosted on a secure server, it can be accessed via any device with an internet connection. This means ‘Specials’ can volunteer for duty without having to visit a police office.
As well as desktop and laptop computers it also works on smartphones and tablets, which means Durham’s volunteer officers can log on and record their details when they are out and about.
Managers describe it as an intuitive system which allows the user to record planned and completed duties with a few simple clicks of a mouse.
The main benefits include the ability for Specials to enter pre-planned duties so their supervisors are kept up to date with their availability, and to record details of completed duties and the work they have carried out.
It also has the potential to be used as a planning aid for a major event already in the calendar, and as a quick reference of available resources in times of crisis – for example, a flooding or other major incident either in Durham or neighbouring force.
Durham is one of just a handful of forces using the system, which was developed by Avon and Somerset Police.
Assistant Chief Constable, Michael BANKS said; “Our communities get huge value from our Special Constables, who last year contributed over 40,000 hours of policing.
“This new system will allow Specials to book their duty time without the need to come into police stations. It also gives our managers greater flexibility in terms of how they deploy their Special Constables as part of the neighbourhood policing teams.
“Our expectation is that ESBIS will help us increase the hours the Specials can spend on duty in their communities, whether for routine policing or special events,” said Mr Banks, who has the national portfolio for ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) on the Special Constabulary.
Durham currently has 107 Special Constables and a further 150 volunteers, non-uniformed members of the community who carry out a variety of tasks across the force.
Anyone thinking of volunteering can find out more by calling the force on 101.
