Honour for Devon & Cornwall Specials
Five regional Police Forces came together on Saturday (10 October) to celebrate the phenomenal work of their dedicated volunteers from across the South West region.
The SW Region Special Constabulary and Police Support Volunteer awards were hosted by Devon and Cornwall Police at Exeter Golf and Country Club. It brought together nominees and representatives from the regional Police Forces of Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, British Transport Police and Devon and Cornwall.
Four awards were presented, including Police Support Volunteer of the Year, Special Constable of the Year, Police Support Volunteer Team of the Year and the Arthur Ellis Memorial Trophy for Special Constabulary Team of the Year, showcasing a fantastic range of hard working volunteers from across the south west region.
The winners were as follows;
Arthur Ellis Memorial Trophy – was presented to Devon and Cornwall Police’s Special Constabulary Rural Engagement Team.
Arthur Ellis - Highly Commended award – Road Safety Education and Enforcement Team – Gloucestershire
Police Support Volunteer of the Year – Emma West – Dorset Police for her work with North Dorset Horse Watch
Special Constable of the Year – Richard King – Dorset Police
Police Support Volunteer Team of the Year – Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Restorative Justice Volunteers
Special Chief Officer Marc Kastner-Walmsey said: "These regional awards are a superb opportunity to celebrate the incredible contribution that Special Constables and Police Support Volunteers make to the lives of people and our communities."
"The commitment they make is often underestimated, but week in and out throughout the South West and right across the country, volunteer officers and staff give up their time to make a difference in the villages, towns and cities where they live and work."
"The awards celebrate the important work of these individuals supporting their local Forces and helping to make the South West one of the safest areas to live in the United Kingdom."
Aurthur Ellis Memorial winner SC T/Chief Supt Andy Turner said that “I am very proud with 33 years’ service to lead this team as we are individuals bringing all our skills together making a difference”
Special Constable Chief Supt Andy Turner who formed the Rural Engagement team (SC RET) had a vision to create a fully functioning team of specials throughout Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who would focus much of their efforts in the rural community.
This encouraged an increase in communication with the farming community therefore raising awareness of any potential issues. The SC RET built up a relationship with Farm Watch Co-ordinators which enabled the team to be the missing link with the police which was desperately needed and had been highlighted as a concern. Liaising with Farm Watch Co-ordinators also provides the SC team with knowledge, literature and equipment that enables the team to promote a better understanding of crime prevention.
