Officers and staff honoured at force awards

Teams and individuals who have helped to save lives, supported staff with their mental wellbeing and helped to change public attitudes on violence towards women and girls through education were among the police staff and officers who were recognised at a Staffordshire Police Force Awards evening.

The awards ceremony, took place on Thursday (20 October) at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, and celebrated the achievements of staff who have excelled in their duties for the communities of Staffordshire.

Chief Constable Chris Noble said: “The Force Awards is an opportunity to recognise the fantastic work being done by colleagues, which is making a real difference to our communities in Staffordshire. It’s a real highlight in the year for us to come together to recognise, celebrate and thank the award winners but also the wider force for their continuing hard work, dedication and professionalism.”

PC Nicholas Bailey, part of the East Staffordshire Local Policing Team, was awarded the Student Officer of the Year award having demonstrated his enthusiasm and being able to adapt to a number of situations, either taking the lead or supporting supervision with the necessary detail needed for any job.

Nicholas was also recognised for his compassion with victims, as well as suspects, and being able to calmly defuse potentially violent incidents.

In one incident, Nicholas used his experience as a combat medic in the army to successfully complete CPR on a man who had collapsed and stopped breathing.

Reflecting on his award win, Nicholas said: “I work alongside a fantastic team of individuals and without their support I would not have been able to achieve this award. I am extremely grateful to receive this award and proud to be a police constable serving for Staffordshire Police.”

PC Holly Swift and PCSO Ian Hopley were awarded the Excellence in Bravery Award in Memory of John Taylor Award. Holly and Ian were recognised for their bravery in helping a woman who was in distress and on the wrong side of a barrier of a multi-storey car park. Regardless of the risk to themselves, the actions of Holly and Ian helped prevent serious harm to the woman who then subsequently got the support she needed.

The Excellence in Wellbeing Award was won by Rebecca Lewis, a Wellbeing Nurse who works in the force’s Occupational Health Department, having shown dedication in raising the wellbeing profile and challenging stigmas around mental health, physical health and other inequalities, above and beyond the requirements of her role.

Her commitment led to successes in a number of areas including a Wellbeing Bus tour in the summer, raising awareness of period poverty, sharing guidance around financial stress and delivering the wellbeing agenda.

Rebecca said: “I am beyond proud to work for not just one fantastic organisation, but two. I have the absolute privilege to deliver wellbeing to officers, firefighters and staff in the county of Staffordshire.

"To have been nominated, and go on to win this award meant so much. It’s with thanks to the amazing people that work alongside me in Occupational Health and the outstanding work they deliver in line with the Chief Constable’s vision.”

The Harm Reduction Hub team at Burton were awarded the Excellence in Partnerships Award for their work on the prevention of violence against women and girls (VAWG). The team were recognised for their passion on the subject and dedicating time to create a presentation that could be provided to schools with the sole purpose of changing future attitudes to VAWG through education.

The presentation was created alongside external and internal partners, including local schools in Burton-on-Trent, and representatives of the Staffordshire Association for Women in Policing (SAWP). The presentation has now being prepared for county-wide roll out amongst secondary schools for delivery this academic year.

PC Emma Cotter, part of the Harm Reduction Hub team at Burton, said: “Everyone, including girls and women, have the right to live without fear, and violence can cause significant harm in a person’s life, leaving them feeling scared, anxious or distressed.

“I’m incredibly proud of the team, with us all playing our part in initially developing the presentation to now seeing it being rolled out in Staffordshire in secondary schools.

“Reducing violence against women and girls – and the fear of violence – are key priorities for us, and is part of a wider-partnership approach to preventing violence more broadly.”

PC Craig Neeson and PD Kev, as well as PC Sam Jones and PD Vixen, were winners of the Police Dog of the Year Award for their paw’some work. In one day, Craig and PD Kev had three jobs all in the space of a few hours of each other and had a positive outcome with all three incidents.

Sam regularly supports the South Staffordshire Local Policing Team with proactive patrols on Operation Bormus, helping to tackle vehicle-crime in the county. Over the last 12 months, Sam and Vixen have received daily emails of thanks and praise from the local policing command, highlighting the exemplary work carried out by this duo.

 

A full list of all the winners at this year’s Staffordshire Police Force Awards:
Student Officer of the Year – Nick Bailey
Police Cadet of the Year Award in Memory of Annabel Lewis – Lewis Cuffe
Excellence in Partnerships Award – Burton Harm Reduction Hub
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award – Ijaz Chaudry
Staff Member of the Year Award – Geoff Wilkins and Steve Jackson
Volunteer of the Year Award – Community Speed Watch - Robert Smith, John Reeves, Marcus Hazell, Patricia Shotton, David Shenton and Margaret Mountford
Excellence in Wellbeing Award – Rebecca Lewis
Excellence in Bravery Award in Memory of John Taylor – PC Holly Swift and PCSO Ian Hopley
Officer of the Year Award in Memory of Luke Van De Sande – Deborah Barton
PCSO of the Year Award – Anderson Cadman
Police Dog of the Year Award in Memory of Karen Bloor – PC Samuel Jones PD Vixen and PC Craig Neeson and PD Kev
Excellence in Leadership Award – POM team
Outstanding Contribution Award – Sarah Hales