22 June 2011
Police officers and staff together with members of the public
were recognised for the work they do to improve the quality of life
for the residents of Norfolk during a ceremony at Dunston
Hall on Wednesday 22 June 2011.
The event highlights the work of officers, staff and members of
the local community who have all given something back to our county
and in the process have helped the Constabulary move forward.
Individuals or teams were nominated for awards that recognise
their valuable contributions to the work of the Force and who, with
their actions and words, have all supported our vision of
delivering excellent local services whilst focusing on the issues
that are important to the local community.
Speaking about the evening Chief Constable Phil Gormley said:
“The night was about recognising and rewarding some of the
fantastic work that takes place across the county, particularly
when the Constabulary and the wider community work
side-by-side.
"It was a tremendous evening, and I’m extremely proud of the
dedication and commitment shown by so many people.”
The winners of each award category were
announced on the night and each received a cut-glass trophy from
Caithness Crystal, presented by the award category sponsor.
Winner: Watton SNT
Partnership, problem solving and youth engagement is integral to
community policing and this year Watton SNT has been nominated for
demonstrating the effectiveness of interacting with their local
community. Working with Breckland Council Operational Partnership,
the team has made substantial reductions in youth related ASB by
targeting known offenders and engaging with them by means of
Acceptable Behaviour Contracts. They continue to run initiatives to
resolve community issues with the Wayland Partnership by providing
a unique engagement event in the form of The Bill Barrow, a police
stall in Watton High Street on market day.
Winner: PC Emma Hendry-Smith
Emma has been recognised for developing the personal skills
required to evaluate and resolve problems as a police officer. Her
practical policing skills have come to the fore on many noteworthy
occasions and last July Emma was praised for her patience,
perseverance and professionalism that ensued the safe conclusion of
a firearms incident involving a vulnerable male.
Then faced with a spate of outboard motor thefts, she
investigated and assessed the problem and liaised with the Wells
Harbour master to design and develop an engine cover to reduce
rewards for offenders. The cover reduced theft value by about 90%
and her work in this problem solving investigation has been
recognised at national levels for the Tilley Award scheme.
Winner: Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Major Investigation
Team
The joint MIT comprises 100 officers and staff and is
highlighted as a model of good practice for collaborative working,
both locally and nationally. Working at full capacity since
inception, in 2010-11 the team dealt with 17 murders, 5 crimes in
action, 3 workplace deaths, 3 stranger rapes and 13 suspicious
deaths.
As a consequence, the team consistently invest time in
developing new ways to streamline processes and facilitate
effective and flexible staff deployment. Examples include turning
the increasingly complex use of mobile communications to their
advantages in Op Molar and Gull, both homicides, and successfully
addressing the issues associated with prosecuting a no body murder
in Op Mells. Their success is reflected by a detection rate
approaching 100% and a conviction rate of 100%.
Winner: Barbara Hill
Barbara is an enthusiastic and dedicated member of the
Terrington SNT who has been nominated for her consistent commitment
to the communities of West Norfolk. Her contribution is worthy of
recognition with regard to all aspects of her work and her
willingness to take on anything makes her a key part of the team.
Last July Barbara was the first on scene to reach a man who had
been electrocuted by overhead cables and administered first aid
whilst summoning help. Sadly the man did not survive but she again
took action to help his young wife by fundraising to help her in
immediate need.
Assisting in the formation of a Youth Club, rural crime
partnerships with Horse Watch and research into specific ASB or
drugs activity all make a valuable difference to the SNT.
Winner: ‘The Den’ Team
Following on from the launch of ‘The Den’ youth club in 2010 the
volunteers set up ‘The Den, Life Changes’ in the Southtown area of
Great Yarmouth. Renting and furnishing a local house, the groups
teaches life skills to young families, single parents and young
people who are unemployed or homeless. The volunteer run project is
an early intervention approach to addressing large numbers of high
contact families, centred on the development and enhancement of
life skills for 15-25 year olds. The team deals with subjects such
as drug abuse, domestic violence, child abuse and sexual health
matters and works closely with the local Pupil Referral Unit and
schools to help children learn some of the basic skills to support
themselves when they leave home.
Winner: Thorpe High School – Allotment
Scheme
The judges were impressed with the Thorpe High School students’
commitment to transforming the wasteland into an allotment,
providing a diversion from temptation to commit crime / ASB and
giving them a sense of ownership by raising the awareness of how
victims of crime feel when their property is damaged. The project
not only helped to build positive relationships between the young
people and the police, but using the produce to prepare a meal for
the elderly spread that community cohesion even further. The
project looks set to continue in the years to come, getting new
students involved as they progress through the school. The Thorpe
St Andrew SNT should also be congratulated for their involvement
and support.
Winner: ASB Project Team (Operational Partnership
Project Team) Strategic Change Department
The Anti-Social Behaviour Project Team carried out a review into
how the force and partner agencies tackle the issue. Carrying out
external consultancy work the team designed a new way of working in
a co-located Operational Partnership Team which was piloted for two
months in Breckland, overhauling how partners deal with ASB.
Furthermore, the project tangibly assisted the Constabulary in
achieving its 7.3% target for reduction in ASB incidents for
2010/11.
The work of the team has been described by the Superintendent
with responsibility for the ASB portfolio as ‘phenomenal’,
introducing a victim focus, as well as a problem solving targeted
approach to dealing with the issues.
Winner: DLO – Diversity Department, Community Safety
(Tactical)
Supporting a victim of domestic violence and helping secure his
rights to stay in the UK, engaging with the Gypsy Traveller
community to assess community tensions following a suicide and
holding surgeries at local food manufacturers to support migrant
workers by offering support and advice. Just some of the varied and
complex cases undertaken by the Diversity Liaison Officers
Team.
Made up of a team of PCs and PCSOs and supervised by Sgt Adams,
the team work diligently across a range of locations, offering
support and advice to members of our community who otherwise feel
vulnerable and disengaged.
Winner: Inspector James Brown
Inspector James Brown identified the majority of offences
reported at the University Hospital during 2009 as thefts from
staff, thefts from patients and violence within the hospital. A
week long audit of security and property handling procedures
highlighted inefficient property management, handling process and
wasted police time involved in investigation. As a result, a
bi-weekly theft prevention forum was introduced placing the
emphasis for the initial investigation with the hospital and
security staff. Problem solving fund money was also used to
purchase a body cam for security officers to deter offences and
secure evidence to support prosecution. As a result of his actions
all crime reported has reduced by 54% since the work began in
2009.
Winner: DC Jillian Smith
As the case officer for three murder enquiries and lead suspect
interviewer for several more, DC Jill Smith has had a very busy
year. Willingly taking on the role of compiling the most
complicated of files, all of which come under the most intense
scrutiny by the CPS and defence barristers. Her work on Operation
Murcott, the double murder at Cringleford, as Family Liaison
Coordinator, Enquiry Officer and Case Officer resulted in the
offender being sentenced to 30 years imprisonment. Work
acknowledged by the CPS and for which she received a judge’s
commendation.
She has also been nominated by DCI Fry who says “it is to Jill’s
merit that she has been able to maintain such a high standard of
performance over the whole year.”
Winner: PC Keith Kenny
PC Keith Kenny is an SNT officer based in Thetford where he has
worked for the last five years. This year his local knowledge has
been recognised by three of the community groups he works so
closely with to support. He has been highlighted for playing an
active role in community engagement and reinvigorating the Thetford
Pub Watch Scheme.
One comment was “PC Kenny deserves the award because he cares
for the community and goes the extra mile for anyone who needs him
to.”
His manager’s supporting statement names many groups and
individuals who Keith works closely with and outline that he
frequently attends community events and meetings off duty.
Describing the true values that Keith places in community police
work -“He is a valuable member of my team and deserves all the
credit from such a nomination.”
Winner: PCSO Becky Taylor
Becky has been nominated for her work as a PCSO with the Wells
SNT where she is recognised for the Community Action Through Sport
and the Walsingham Youth Projects.
She is well liked, well admired and well respected within the
town and area, and is known by name by nearly every pupil and staff
member in the local high school.
Becky’s previous sergeant describes her as “the greatest PCSO
alive”. Praise indeed, which is echoed by her line manager who says
she is a “massive credit to Wells SNT, and a great ambassador for
the Constabulary and the role of PCSOs.” A first class example of a
real community officer.
Winner: Acting Special Sergeant Richard
Noble
Special Sergeant Richard Noble works within the Probationer
Development Unit to which all newly attested Special Constables are
attached to once leaving the initial training team.
In addition to his PDU commitments, Richard is an active member
of the Thorpe Hamlet SNT and has dedicated considerable time to the
microbeat of Anglia Square, becoming a consistent, familiar and
regular face during his patrols.
Nominated by his Inspector who says quite simply “Special
Sergeant Noble is an asset to the Norfolk Special
Constabulary.”
Winner: PCSO Lucy Collyer
Lucy has been nominated for her exceptional work and dedication
in the setting up of a youth club in Hoveton. As the driving force
behind the project she led by example, approaching local businesses
and applying for a youth grant to raise £1900 to allow the youth
club to open its doors for the first time in September 2009. She
gave up her own time to volunteer every fortnight for the first
four months and was determined the venture would be a success. The
club now has 40 members and Lucy continues to work with the club,
currently developing plans to move the club to larger
accommodation.
Her line manager concludes “Without Lucy’s energy and leadership
it would never have got off the ground. Neighbourhood Policing at
it’s best”.
Now entering its fourth year, the NOSCAs seek to recognise
police officers and staff and the community whose exceptional
work helps keep Norfolk a safe county.
The NOSCAs, run by Norfolk Constabulary, are funded entirely by
sponsorship from
partners.
The four categories open for public nomination look to celebrate
the work of police officers, Police Community Support Officers and
members of the public who have made a difference to the quality of
life where you live or work.
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