BT wins Greater Manchester Police award in recognition of its support for local policing
in recognition of its efforts to encourage its employees to become special constables. The company was presented with the award at the police force’s annual Citizens in Policing event for the contribution it makes to policing and community safety in the Greater Manchester area.
Openreach launched an internal campaign to encourage its employees to sign up to become special constables through Employer Supported Policing (ESP) – a partnership between employers, their staff and the police service. Since then, more than 160 employees across the nation have got in touch with their local police force to find out more with a number having already signed up in the North West region.
One Manchester-based Openreach employee who is a special constable is Jordan Weakley. Jordan, an engineer from Stockport, joined the GMP special police in 2014.
“Being a ‘special’ gives me great satisfaction from knowing that I’m helping the community and vulnerable individuals. It’s increased my knowledge of the law and I’ve developed a better understanding of how it can have a positive impact on the community,” explained Jordan.
“I always dreamed of being a policeman, but I really enjoy my job within Openreach, so the opportunity to become a special constable allows me to have the best of both worlds by being able to do the policing in my spare time.
“Openreach is a tremendous support in enabling me to fit being a special constable in with my work as it allows me to take paid time off to carry out police duties.”
Under the ESP programme, Openreach promotes opportunities for its staff to become special constables and provides support to those who do.
As the commitment required to be a special constable is significant, Openreach provides up to 10 days paid special leave each year to carry out operational duties and training.
Bernie Auguste, Openreach’s head of security, explained what the award means to the company: “We have a close working relationship with the Greater Manchester Police and to win this award is the icing on the cake. It’s fantastic that Openreach has been recognised for the invaluable work our special constables provide in the Greater Manchester and North West area.
“Being a special constable brings benefits to all parties concerned. For the business whose employees are involved, it creates improved staff morale and motivation; for the individual, it provides personal development; for the community, increased reassurance due to more policing on the streets and for the police it provides more integration with the community and local and national businesses.
“I’m proud that our employees are making such a difference in local communities and police forces around the country. They’re not just special constables, they’re special people.”
Photo caption: (left to right) Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Mr. Warren J. Smith KStJ JP DLitt LL; Jordan Weakley, Openreach engineer; Bernie Auguste, Openreach head of security and Chief constable Ian Hopkins.
For further information about this news release please contact Janet Hare in the BT regionalpress office on 0800 085 0660. All our news releases can be read at www.btplc.com/news
About BT
BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services.With effect from 1 April 2016, the group has been reorganised and the customer-facing lines of business are now: Global Services, Business and Public Sector, Consumer, EE, Wholesale and Ventures, and Openreach.
For the year ended 31 March 2016, BT Group’s reported revenue was £19,042m with reported profit before taxation of £3,029m.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.
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