Cleveland Police Authority and Cleveland Police recognised Neighbourhood Policing Officers and Staff who have gone the extra mile for their local communities, at the Cleveland Police Neighbourhood Policing Awards on 14th June 2010. Over 80 nominations were received from across the Force area, for people who have provided outstanding service.
Awards were given for the categories of:
Congratulations to all of the winners of each category shown below. The overall winner for Cleveland is also shown in red.
(Further information can be found on the Cleveland Police website by clicking here)
Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year
Hartlepool Neighbourhood Officer of the Year – PC 312 Derric Wade
PC Wade has been the community police officer for the Fens and Greatham Wards since September 2009. On his arrival in the wards he set out immediate goals to improve the quality of life for the local residents, targeting specific anti-social behaviour incidents which he knew were impacting considerably on local people. One of the highlights of PC Wade’s time was providing much needed support to a persistent caller to police and emergency services whose behaviour was affecting the community. Thanks to PC Wade’s support this individual has now turned their life around, much to the benefit of the local community.
Stockton Neighbourhood Officer of the Year – PC 1080 Mark Walton
PC Walton is the community police officer for the Stainsby Hill ward. He is always willing to listen and is flexible, innovative and enthusiastic in his approach to solving the community’s problems. PC Walton has established strong links with the community, working with the local councillors to establish two resident’s associations. He works closely with local schools and partner agencies. Highlights of PC Walton’s time in Stainsby Hill include working closely with the local supermarket to establish a policy for dealing with underage drinkers and those who purchase alcohol for them and working with Tristar Homes to tackle drug problems.
Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Officer of the Year – PC 536 Ian Lambert
PC Lambert has worked in the Park End ward for a period of 19 years, and shows exceptional enthusiasm and dedication to his role, with a willingness to go that extra mile. During his time in park End he has introduced a bike stamping initiative, set up a Dog Watch scheme and helped the local school to clear allotments allowing the pupils to take ownership of the area. He regularly attends residents meetings and other groups in his own time, and has even provided an impromptu carol service for elderly residents when the local school had to cancel a planned concert.
Redcar and Cleveland Neighbourhood Officer of the Year – PC 2150 Jon Hutchinson
PC Hutchinson is the community police officer for the Teesville ward. On arrival in the ward he immediately set about ensuring that the community were aware that he is their dedicated officer. Day after day he can be seen walking his beat, speaking with all, constantly checking to see how strong confidence is. PC Hutchinson has strong ties with the local schools in the area, and works hard to bring together the young and older residents of his ward through inter generational projects. He performs with the youth choir in Whale Hill, and has received high praise from many, including the Archbishop of York.
Neighbourhood Police Community Support Officer of the Year
Hartlepool Neighbourhood PCSO of the Year – PCSO 8105 Julie Dobson
PCSO Dobson has been the Police Community Support Officer for the Fens and Greatham Wards for two and half years. Julie enjoys a challenge and doesn’t like to be beaten, even when obstacles are placed before her. She understands the key issues within her local area, and works hard to address these. She actively engages with the young members of the community, and is working hard to provide more youth facilities – to date she has arranged for free football coaching and is working with partners to provide safe indoor facilities.
Stockton Neighbourhood PCSO of the Year – PCSO 8322 Robert Townsend
PCSO Townsend is the Police Community Support Officer for the Portrack and Tilery areas of Stockton. PCSO Townsend is described as a ‘favourite’ in his local area and has gained the trust, respect and confidence of the local community. He has been particularly singled out for his excellent cultural engagement that has had a positive impact upon the entire local community. He is a positive thinking person, who strives to see the good in everyone, and his determination to make a difference has made him a valuable asset to his local area.
Middlesbrough Neighbourhood PCSO of the Year – PCSO 7780 Craig Powell
PCSO Powell is the Police Community Support officer for Hemlington. He adopts a methodical, analytical and professional attitude towards his role, and it is apparent that he genuinely cares about the ward, its residents and the community as a whole. During his time in Hemlington PCSO Powell has delivered fishing lessons for local people, taught tag rugby to local school children, been a member of the Hemlington Carnival Planning Committee and worked with local youth groups.
Redcar and Cleveland Neighbourhood PCSO of the Year – PCSO 7596 Lorraine Hudson
PCSO Hudson is the Police Community Support officer for Guisborough. She was in the first group of PCSOs to be employed by Cleveland Police and is very knowledgeable in her role. She has recently secured substantial funding to create a full and comprehensive program for young people during the summer holidays, with an activity for every single day. Her work with the elderly is also noteworthy – in 2009 she responded to the elderly community’s concerns regarding drug dealing and took the lead in a successful crack house closure.
Neighbourhood Team of the Year
Hartlepool Neighbourhood Team of the Year – Hart Ward
(PC 637 Andrew Plant, PCSO 8319 Amy Wake, PCSO 8174 Kristen Tasker)
Over the past 12 months it has become apparent that the Hart neighbourhood Police Team has made a real difference to the quality if life of the residents of the ward. There is now real confidence that the police will tackle local issues and deal with what matters to local residents. Over the past year anti-social behaviour calls have gone down 70%. Police attendance at local meetings is much appreciated, with residents stating that they are delighted with the response they have received from the team.
Stockton Neighbourhood Team of the Year – Stainsby Hill
(PC 1080 mark Walton, PC 922 Jonathan Willoughby, PCSO 8183 Robert Peacock, PCSO 7740 Diane Sandhu)
The Stainsby Hill team are known for their engagement in the community and their total commitment to projects in the area. They established an innovative Operation to deal with drug dealers which led to substantial recoveries of Class A and Class B drugs and the arrest and sentencing of two high profile offenders. The team have also established a Shop Watch scheme, worked with a local family centre to obtain funding for improved facilities, developed the idea of police boxes in local community venues, and worked with schools to provide bike locks to school children. They work hard to increase the opportunities they have to speak with their community and deliver a very customer focused service.
Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Team of the Year – NPT2
The NPT2 team are held in high regard, not only by partner agencies, but by the communities they serve. The team have been involved in many initiatives including setting up a football league for young people, participation in community events, establishing a Dog Watch scheme and involvement in walkabouts to identify community issues. Much of this work is undertaken in the officers’ own time. The team’s passion and dedication to make a difference and improve the quality of life for all who live, work and visit the area is undisputable, and they are constantly described as ‘friends’ by members of the community, which is a true mark of their success.
Redcar & Cleveland Neighbourhood Team of the Year – West Dyke Ward
(PC 2080 Kelly Jarvis and PCSO 8102 Sharon White)
PC Jarvis and PCSO White are responsible for delivering neighbourhood policing in the West Dyke ward of Redcar. The officers have firmly established themselves within the local community, with an established office in the local secondary school. They work closely with young people through the school youth club and sporting activities. They closely monitor crime trends, and react accordingly, often changing their shift patterns to better reflect the needs of the community.
Neighbourhood Special Constable of the Year
Stockton Special Constable of the Year – Special Sergeant 4450 Kate Dack
Special Sergeant Dack has served with the Special Constabulary for three years. She has always promoted the neighbourhood policing role and its importance in the policing family, and is very proactive in moulding and training officers that are under her command. She works closely with partner agencies and is particularly effective at handling neighbourhood disputes.
Redcar and Cleveland Special Constable of the Year – Special Sergeant 4014 Alan McGarrity
Special Sergeant McGarrity has served with the Special Constabulary for four years, during which time he has risen from constable to acting Inspector. He regularly uses his own leave from his employment to carry out his role and has assisted in numerous community events including the Guisborough Remembrance Sunday parade.
Neighbourhood Supporting Volunteer of the Year
Stockton Neighbourhood Supporting Volunteer of the Year – Sarah Lucas
Sarah Lucas works as a Cleveland Police volunteer out of the Forges at Norton Grange, together with having a full time job. During the last year Sarah has undertaken numerous community tasks including anti-social behaviour call backs to provide reassurance, consultation with the public on ward priorities, organising and attending Cuppa with a Coppa meetings and helping to organise and facilitate a youth conference focusing on terrorism and radicalisation. She is always bright, bubbly and enthusiastic and has quickly become part of the neighbourhood team.
Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Supporting Volunteer of the Year – Jean and Walter Parrish
Walter and Jean Parrish are local residents who dedicate their time to their local community, raising funds for events and activities and helping both the elderly and the young in Park End, in their own time. Despite health problems Walter can be relied upon to make the Park End Community Centre accessible at any time it is required. Together, Walter and Jean have set up and run a Junior Youth Club, and the couple always take part in and support community events and projects.
Redcar and Cleveland Neighbourhood Supporting Volunteer of the Year – Saltburn Front Desk team
The Saltburn front Desk team consists of 6 individuals, Dave Smith, Ruth Steere, Janice Rimmer, David Morris, Maureen Scholz and Joan Graham. Each month the time provides around 100 hours to assist their local police force and community. Together with providing front counter service and public reassurance, the team also provide administrative support to the neighbourhood officers and PCSOs based within the office. They are a valuable link between the police and their community, and their work helps enhance the public confidence of the people of Saltburn.