There are about 60 volunteer roles, ranging from mountain rescue to animal welfare, crime scene investigation to firearms licensing, according to a survey by union Unison. The UK government has announced that civilian volunteers with specialist cyber skills will be drafted in to assist police in the fight against cyber crime . British police have been accused of lacking the skills necessary to counter cyber crime . This marks one of several initiatives that are designed to improve the police ’s capability and capacity in this area . Currently , civilian volunteers can only use the full range of police powers if they become special constables . Under government plans , their role is set to expand , with civilians with the requisite specialist knowledge gaining greater powers . Technology association , TechUK , has previously called for greater collaboration between British police and the IT industry to improve the quality of investigating , recording and responding to cyber crime .
The UK government has announced that civilian volunteers with specialist cyber skills will be drafted in to assist police in the fight against cyber crime . British police have been accused of lacking the skills necessary to counter cyber crime . This marks one of several initiatives that are designed to improve the police ’s capability and capacity in this area . Currently , civilian volunteers can only use the full range of police powers if they become special constables . Under government plans , their role is set to expand , with civilians with the requisite specialist knowledge gaining greater powers . Technology association , TechUK , has previously called for greater collaboration between British police and the IT industry to improve the quality of investigating , recording and responding to cyber crime .