What Is and Is Not Known About Volunteer Policing Across Europe? Comparative Perspectives on Volunteer Police Roles and Practice

Krulík, O., Britton, I., Wolf, R., Christián, L., Kardos, P., Callender, M. and Haiman, M. (2026) What Is and Is Not Known About Volunteer Policing Across Europe? Comparative Perspectives on Volunteer Police Roles and Practice. Criminal Justice Policy Review. , pp. 1-30. 0887-4034.

Texts
Information

[A][B][+][-]

21201:66552

[A][B][+][-]

21201:66552

[thumbnail of Krulík_et_al_2026_What_Is_and_Is_Not_Known_About_Volunteer_Policing_Across_Europe_Comparative_Perspectives_on_Volunteer_Police_Roles_and_Practice]

Krulík_et_al_2026_What_Is_and_Is_Not_Known_About_Volunteer_Policing_Across_Europe_Comparative_Perspectives_on_Volunteer_Police_Roles_and_Practice
Krul_k_et_al_2026_What_Is_and_Is_Not_Known_About_Volunteer_Policing_Across_Europe_Comparative_Perspectives_on_Volunteer_Police_Roles_and_Practice.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Information

Abstract:

This paper explores the wide diversity of practices of volunteer policing across Europe. The study explores where models of volunteer policing exist and the similarities and divergences of volunteer policing approaches, reflecting that most practice has emerged independently across different countries. Some countries build on historic volunteering traditions, while other countries have more recently emerged models of volunteer policing. The overall picture of volunteer policing practice across Europe, as it is currently known, is summarised, alongside short case studies of contrasting models, together with an explorative approach to providing a classification of national programmes. This paper represents one of the first to bring an international scholarly perspective across this vibrant mosaic of volunteer policing practices. The various forms, underlying ideas, identities, and rationales of volunteer police are explored, considering future directions for policy and practice and priorities for future academic study of volunteer policing across Europe.

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Police Strategy, Community policing, Community perceptions

Creators:

Krulík, O., Britton, I., Wolf, R., Christián, L., Kardos, P., Callender, M. and Haiman, M.

Faculties, Divisions and Institutes:

University Faculties, Divisions and Research Centres - OLD > Research Centre > Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice

Date:

8 July 2026

Date Type:

Publication

Page Range:

pp. 1-30

Journal or Publication Title:

Criminal Justice Policy Review

Number of Pages:

Language:

English

ISSN:

0887-4034

Status:

Published / Disseminated

Refereed:

Yes