News, Appeals & Features

D Division scored a treble
 
It was a hat-trick of awards for D Divison as they took top prize for Community Police Officer, Neighbourhood Team and PCSO of the Year.

Constable Russ Crooks from the Ilkeston Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team was crowned the Community Police Officer of the Year - the highest accolade for any police officer. Over the past ten years Russ has made a huge difference to the villages of Breadsall, Little Eaton, Morley, Dale Abbey, Stanley, Stanley Common and West Hallam. Russ works for the young and old alike with equal dedication. He is very well-known, always approachable, cheerful and never turns anyone away who needs help. A local shopkeeper said : "We feel safe and in good hands with Russ as our village bobby." Russ was delighted to receive the trophy after being nominated three times in the last four years.

PCSO of the Year
 
PCSO of the Year went to Stephanie Holt from the Osmaston Safer Neighbourhood Team. Stephanie has single-handedly wiped out anti-social behaviour from Moorways Sports Centre in Allenton. When problems were reported, she met the youths involved and organised for them to meet in a different area. She meets them regularly and their behaviour has since improved.

Neighbourhood Team of the Year
 
Littleover Safer Neighbourhood Team took the award for Neighbourhood Team of the Year. The team has been working hard to get closer to communities and it has paid dividends. Through getting out on the streets to listen to people's concerns, the team has helped to cut crime significantly and earn the police a new-found respect in the community. Local residents say: "Littleover is a pleasant place to be."

Be part of something special
 
Special Constable Simon Valentine received the Chief Commandant's Cup for Special Constable of the Year from Chief Constable Mick Creedon and former Chief Commandant Ivan Bamford. Simon has been a tremendous asset to the Special Constabulary and Clay Cross section since his appointment five years ago.

His commitment to what is, after all, a voluntary role has been outstanding. He has gone to great lengths to embrace the concept of the role of a special constable working alongside our Safer Neighbourhood teams, forging links with the community, acting as a visible police presence and first port of call for residents. What stood out was the success of his own initiatives to support our drink drive and speeding campaigns. Simon will go forward for the Ferrer's Trophy, the national Special Constabulary award.
 
Presenting Linda with the trophy are Chief Constable Mick Creedon and former Chief Constable David Coleman.

New trophy for 2010
 
Brand new for 2010 was the Safer Neighbourhood Team Partnership Problem Solving Award which was won by Holmebrook and Rother Safer Neighbourhood Team. This award recognises the achievements of partnership projects between the police, local communities and other partners, that are responsive to local needs, are people focused and address the causes of crime, not just the consequences, to reduce crime and disorder.

In 2010 the Holmebrook and Rother team set up a community group known as the St Augustine's Action Group (STAAG). STAAG brings together representatives from the police, housing, environmental services, education, trading standards, fire service, schools, councillors, Family Intervention Project, Sporting Futures and the voluntary sector. Their joint work and problem solving initiatives have paid off with a fall in crime of 31% and anti-social behaviour has decreased by 24% when compared with the same period last year.

Ozbox award
 
Sergeant Steve Osbaldeston and the Ozbox team received the Chief Constable's Commendation. Ozbox has been nationally recognised for its pioneering work - Steve and the Ozbox team won the Daily Mirror's People's Award at the Justice Awards in London last December. This award from the Chief Constable recognised and thanked Steve and all the officers involved in the delivery of Ozbox in the community for their continued hard work and dedication. Pictured with Steve and the Chief Constable are Constables Darren Comins, Steve Lewis, Mark Sharratt, Lynn Moore and Joanne Osbaldeston.

Surprise surprise
 
The surprise moment of the evening came when Chief Constable Mick Creedon took the opportunity to say "thank you" to Janet Birkin, the Chairman of Derbyshire Police Authority, at this her last awards ceremony while in office as she leaves the Police Authority next month. Mr Creedon paid tribute to Janet's work as Police Authority Chairman over the past seven years while he has been Assistant Chief Constable and Chief Constable in Derbyshire. He presented a special painting of 'Derbyshire Constabulary - Past and Present' depicting policing in Derbyshire over the past 150 years.