Community Policing Awards

Hints and Tips for completing your nomination

Ensure you complete your name and contact details in full. This is essential in case we need further information from you.
Ensure you have read the award category criteria and have selected the correct category for the person you have nominated. Are you sure they are a PCSO or Beat Manager? If in doubt contact Rebecca Hehir on 01275 816386 for assistance.
Give details of why you are nominating. See the good examples below for a guide of what the judges are looking for. Where possible provide supporting evidence and encourage other people who can support your nomination to also submit a form.
The awards are not judged on the quantity of nominations a person receives, but the quality of evidence provided through the nomination process. Nominations with minimal or no evidence will not be judged.

Good examples of previous nominations

PCSO of the Year 2007 - Sarah McQuitty

"Although she has only been appointed to this Beat since earlier in the year, her involvement in community affairs, during both on and off duty times have been remarkable and very much appreciated.

"There has long been a desperate need to bring all members of the community together to tackle some of the problems associated with youth behaviour, traffic problems and matters of concern to the elderly of the parish.

"Her input into the setting up of a Parish Plan, the first ever parish day open event, organisation of community reporting of contraventions of traffic orders, design of proposed traffic improvement schemes, and primary school events illustrates some of the benefits being achieved in a small parish of diverse hamlets in such a short space of time.

"My council is very aware of the high regard that village organisations have for PCSO McQuitty and her visible presence has been very reassuring.

"It is with much hope and appreciation that the local community nominate Sarah for this award."

Special Constable of the Year 2007 - Mike O’Brien

"Mike has recently retired from the Special Constabulary after more than 30 years of service.

"Over the last two years he has worked alongside my team performing earlies, lates and nights, sometimes working for several sets of shifts full-time to support my team when it has been understaffed.

"During that time he has been involved in a severe incidents which have placed him in considerable danger (he has had a gun pointed at him and on a separate occasion has been driven at by a dangerous offender whilst on a cordon).

"Despite this he still comes back working almost full time for no payment.

"In the past two years alone he has been commended twice, once in relation to a firearms incident and once for administering first aid to a young boy suffering from potentially fatal knife wounds.

"In short, Mike's contribution to my team and to the community we police has been invaluable.

"He will be sorely missed now that he has retired, but if anyone is worthy of such a reward it is Mike."

Outstanding Customer Service Award 2007 - Mike Durnford

"This officer saved my life after a suicide attempt. He kicked down my door, injuring his foot in the process and administered first aid to me.

"He could have arrested me as officers have in the past, but instead he talked to me and then, with my permission, contacted my psychiatrist so that he did what was best for me.

"He recognised my serious phobia of emergency workers and asked his colleagues to leave my flat. This calmed me down a lot and I then agreed that I would go to hospital.

"However, due to my phobia of emergency workers, I was unable to travel in either a police car or an ambulance.

"Despite having a meeting and photo with the Mayor that afternoon, PC Durnford offered to walk with me to the local hospital, which would have meant him missing his meeting and photo. He did not have to do this and could have just forced me to go in an ambulance or police car.

"He went beyond what was expected of him and showed me great respect. Since then I have taken up sport again, with his encouragement, and have started voluntary work. I will soon be looking for paid work.

"I no longer self-harm or commit crime and do not fear my local police any more. PC Durnford has walked past me on his way home from work before, and will stop and talk to me to ask how my sport is going and how I am. Again, he does not have to do this.

"If I had not been treated so well by PC Durnford I would probably be in prison now, or terrorising my community. Instead the community are safer and I am doing good things."

"PC Durnford had his picture taken with the Mayor on the same day as my suicide attempt. This was because he had been responsible for getting a collection box in the reception area at Bath police station for the homeless people of Bath. This officer clearly thinks about everyone in his community and works hard to make it a better place for everyone. He shows people respect and shows no prejudices at all."

Neighbourhood Team of the Year 2007 - Taunton East

"I would like to nominate our neighbourhood team for their outstanding commitment to our community.

"About a year ago we had another new beat manager, who we felt would be just the same as the rest. However, right from the start he was proactive in gathering intelligence and acting on it.

"Once he was in place we got a new PCSO who was again very proactive from the start.

"With their help and support, we started a community youth club which has been very successful. Every week there is someone from the neighbourhood team interacting with the youths and providing support to the community volunteers.

"Over the year we have seen the arrival of new PCSOs who have been fantastic.

"The PCSOs have fitted into the community very well and are easily contactable and helpful at all times. This has allowed the beat manager and other police officers to do their jobs.

"Both the beat manager and PCSOs have given up their own time on occasion to attend important community meetings. This shows, in my mind, a fantastic level of commitment from the team.

"Not only do we have regular contact with the beat manager and PCSOs but also from the Sergeant in charge of the area.

"We have seen a marked difference in the level of crime and the perceived chance of being a victim in the last year.

"If the neighbourhood policing team continue to reduce crime and help bring the community together in this way, then I feel sure we will have the lowest crime rate around."

Neighbourhood Beat Manager of the Year 2007 - PC Nick King

"Most people do not see what the police force does to combat crime and they often get a hard time.

"PC King has created awareness in our community, and by his direct efforts I genuinely feel that I have seen a drop in crime in our area."

PC King keeps local business informed about the progress with offenders arrested for committing crimes on or around their property.

"He went as far as informing us when these offenders were due to be released so that we could arrange for additional security – this is definitely going the extra mile to build relationships.

We recently had one of our employees taken away by the Home Office as he was working on a false passport. PC King came to the police station to meet us while he was off on holiday. That is true commitment".