Celebrate outstanding community work…now's the time to nominate
Derbyshire Constabulary is giving you the opportunity to have your say by nominating the police officers, police staff and volunteers who work tirelessly on a daily basis to make Derbyshire a safer place for everyone.
These are the only awards within the force that asks the public to nominate and that's why they are special to us, the people you nominate and the winners.
Chief Constable Mick Creedon said: "There is some excellent work going on across Derbyshire with officers and police staff working closely with their communities. These awards will reward those staff for their hard work and dedication."
Award Categories
Community Police Officer of the Year
Has an officer helped you resolve a difficult situation?
Has an officer made a difference to the quality of life in your area?
Has an officer exceeded your expectations?
Has an officer gone the extra mile, perhaps in their own time?
The award is open to any police officer serving within Derbyshire Constabulary. It is not restricted to officers who have a specific community liaison role. The diversity of the work carried out by the police service means that service to the community can encompass a wide range of activities.
Police Community Support Officer of the Year sponsored by Unison Derbyshire Police Branch
The award for Police Community Support Officer of the Year recognises outstanding contribution within the community in addressing local concerns, fear of crime and on improving reassurance.
Neighbourhood Team of the Year
This award for the best Safer Neighbourhood Team is aimed at highlighting the fantastic work done by officers working with their partners in the community.
2011 Winners
Community Police Officer – Constable Kevin Lowe (now retired)
In his last nine years of a 40-year police career, Constable Kevin Lowe worked as the neighbourhood constable in the Tideswell Safer Neighbourhood Team - a very rural area covering approximately 80 square miles and 18 villages from Beeley to Tideswell.
Kevin developed strong ties with local schools, attracted funding for a skateboard park, extended Pubwatch in five more villages and established a police office in a local supermarket.
But perhaps his single most outstanding contribution was a police operation to target concerns about illegal and irresponsible off-roading in the Peak District.
Police Community Support Officer – David McMillan
David was brought up in the Swadlincote area so he has a real connection within his community - a rural beat that includes the villages of Castle Gresley, Overseal, Netherseal, Linton, Rosliston, Coton in the Elms and Walton on Trent.
David was brought up in the Swadlincote area so he has a real connection within his community - a rural beat that includes the villages of Castle Gresley, Overseal, Netherseal, Linton, Rosliston, Coton in the Elms and Walton on Trent.
David epitomises what a community support officer should be. Everyone knows who he is and how to contact him. He has become an integral part of the village communities, involving himself from day one of the job with the youth of the villages who all respect him and the work that he does.
Elderly residents who often get a cheery wave or a chat with him are full of praise for the work he does throughout his patch.
Neighbourhood Team of the Year – Peartree and Normanton
Peartree and Normanton were named the best Safer Neighbourhood team in the county in 2011.
Through enthusiasm, hard work, local knowledge and dedication, the team has driven down the level of on-street drinking and associated nuisance, reduced calls for service about prostitution and reduced anti-social behaviour committed by groups of youths across the area.
The team has played a major role in tackling drug dealing; they have conducted numerous drugs warrants with some very positive results.
Nominate now for 2012
If you know somebody who has made a difference, tell us why they should be honoured and describe what makes them so special.
Decide which award you would like to nominate someone for and complete all of the nomination form. It is important to put as much information as possible on the form to enable us to judge effectively.
You can nominate online or by writing to the Chief Constable, Derbyshire Constabulary Headquarters, Butterley Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire DE5 3RS.
The closing date for nominations is Monday, March 19 2012. The winners will be selected by a judging panel which includes the Chief Constable and members of the Derbyshire Police Authority.
An awards ceremony will be held in May to announce the overall winner for each category.