National and local success for Cumbria's Special Constables

21/06/10

Special Constables from Cumbria scooped national and local awards last week in recognition of their outstanding service to the people of Cumbria.

On Thursday 17 June Special Constables from Cumbria attended the Special Constable and Police Support Volunteer Awards in Westminster to receive two National awards. The following day, Friday 18 June, a presentation evening was held in Penrith to celebrate the achievements of Special constables and support volunteers within Cumbria.

Earlier this year, Special Constables from Cumbria were nominated for a number of categories in the Special Constable and Police Support Volunteer Awards. Last week, the award winners were announced and Cumbria received the Team award, and Brampton Special Constable Susan Holliday received a highly commended in the individual awards.

Cumbria Special Constabulary won the national team award for their work during the floods in West Cumbria in November 2009. Special Constables from across Cumbria, though in the main from west Cumbria, gave up their time to help respond to the emergency and work alongside their regular colleagues through the initial phase and the recovery operation. Many officers worked shifts of up to 20 hours and during the first week over 2000 hours of duty were carried out. Many of these officers were released from their full time employment to help out in the emergency and the help of their employers was greatly appreciated.

Special Constable Susan Holliday from Brampton was highly commended for her work in setting up and developing the Farmwatch scheme in North Cumbria. Since it began, the initiative has had a positive impact on rural crime and helped build confidence in Cumbria Constabulary amongst the rural community. Two other officers were also nominated for their dedication to their roles in Cumbria. Special Constable Mike Carruthers of Ulverston, who has also recently been awarded the Cumbria Special Constable of the year, was nominated for his work as a wildlife officer to tackle poaching and rural crime in the South Lakes area. Area Officer Richard Steen from Windermere was also nominated for his work in developing the Special Constabulary in South Cumbria.

The awards were presented by Policing Minister Nick Herbert at a ceremony in Westminster who paid tribute to Cumbria Constabulary for their hard work in dealing not only with the floods but also the recent shootings. When presenting the individual award to Susan Holliday he was very interested in her Farmwatch work as he has a particular interest in tackling rural crime.

Commenting on the awards, Martin McKay the Special Constabulary Chief Officer said: “This is the first time that Special Constables from Cumbria have received a national award which is recognition of the hard work that all officers put in all year round. To have received the team award in recognition of our response to the November floods is fantastic but to also receive a highly commended for Susan Holliday’s work with Farmwatch is great news and shows how much of a difference Special Constables make to the policing of Cumbria.”

After the awards, Special Constable Susan Holliday said: “I am very pleased to have been nominated and delighted to have been highly commended. Farmwatch has been a real team effort with Brampton Policing team comprising of regular officers and PCSOs all helping to make it a success. At the awards ceremony several other forces approached me to ask what we had done and how we maintained the scheme, so we will be speaking with them to share our best practice and help to make a positive difference to other areas.”

On receiving the Team Award, Area Officer John Coward from West Cumbria said: "I was honoured to accept the Best Team award for the duties carried out by West Specials during the November Floods. It is fabulous to be nationally recognised for the sheer hard work that was carried out by officers in demanding and arduous conditions. 

“A great deal of work goes on all year around and it has been recognised by many that Cumbrians have a great ability to cope with all situations and just get on with it. I am extremely proud of my team in West Cumbria and the commitment that everyone has shown."

At an awards ceremony on Friday 18th June in Penrith, Chief Constable Craig Mackey presented awards to Special Constables and Police Support Volunteers from across Cumbria in recognition of their hard work and dedication. Thirty five officers received certificates for completing over 400 hours of duty (the minimum requirement is 200 hours), six officers received Chief Officers certificates for outstanding work, the Joe Coward Shield was presented to Special Constable Paul Cretney from Brampton for his outstanding work in North Cumbria and the Dougie Kane trophy was presented to the Specials of South Cumbria for being the highest performers overall. 

In addition to presentations to Special Constables, certifications of merit were presented to twenty five Support Volunteers from across the county in recognition of their work in a variety of roles supporting Cumbria Constabulary. Volunteer Valerie Tarbitt also received a BCU Commanders Commendation for her work at Longtown Police Station.

Cumbria Constabulary is currently recruiting Special Constables, for further information or an application pack please contact Emma Lynch Specials Coordinator on 01768 217138 or email emma.lynch@cumbria.police.uk