DORSET Police has joined police forces across the country to highlight the work of response police officers and the role they play in policing.

A week of action started on Monday to recognise and celebrate the hard work, dedication and bravery of response officers, who respond to calls from the public and confront criminals day and night.

This week of action is an initiative started by the National Police Chiefs’ Council back in 2022.

Every day across Dorset, a wide variety of 999 calls are received, and response officers must be prepared to deal with anything.

Dorset Police Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said: “Response officers are a crucial part of protecting and serving the communities of Dorset and the many visitors we get to our beautiful county.

“Response officers never know what calls they’ll be faced with when they come into work each day and no two days are ever the same. They have to be prepared to deal with a wide range of incidents, including complex and sometimes confrontational situations.

“There is a lot of satisfaction from the role of a response officer, but it is also a very demanding job that can often feel unappreciated, which can take a toll on the person wearing the uniform.

"While this week is about celebrating our officers, we must also make sure they know how and where to seek support when it is needed.”

“Finally, I want to express my thanks to all our response officers across the country for the critical work they do and let them know that we appreciate them and their efforts each and every day.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “Our Response Policing teams are at the very forefront of tackling crime in Dorset, working tirelessly to keep our residents and visitors safe.

“I have previously been out with response officers and was impressed by the team's professionalism and dedication when they are often the first on the scene at incidents and never know what their next call will be.

“I'd like to thank all the response police officers who work relentlessly to make a difference in our communities in Dorset.”