West Mercia Police Hails Its Quality People

PC Mike Davey and police dog Griff receive the Dog Handler of the Year award from Lord Lieutenant for Shropshire, Algernon Heber-Percy.West Mercia Police honoured the best of its officers, staff and members of the Special Constabulary at its annual Quality People Awards, now in its sixth year, on Tuesday (7 September).

They were hosted by Chief Constable Paul West at police headquarters, Hindlip Hall, Worcester and 21 awards were given out, including Life Time Achievement, Excellence in Policing, Criminal Investigator of the Year, Community Police Officer of the Year, Community Support Officer of the Year and the Chief Constable's Trophy for police staff.

Special guests presenting awards included The Rt Hon Countess of Darnley, Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire; Lord Lieutenant for Shropshire, Algernon Heber-Percy; Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Michael Brinton; Elizabeth Hunter, High Sheriff of Herefordshire & Worcestershire; Hugh Trevor-Jones High Sheriff of Shropshire and Sheila Blagg, Chair of West Mercia Police Authority.

The annual awards are held to recognise and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of West Mercia Police officers, staff and volunteers from across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire, who have all made a significant difference to the communities in which they work.

Some of the award winners have been entered as West Mercia Police's nominations for the National Jane's Police Review Awards to be held in London later this year at the Park Lane Hilton Hotel, London. Also invited to attend will be the Home Secretary and the most senior and influential people in policing and government, including the chief constables of every force in the UK. West Mercia Police nominations:

• Lisa Hopkins, Stourport-on-Severn, nominee for the Community Support Officer of the Year
• Police Constable David Parry, Newport, nominee for Community Police Officer of the Year
• Retired DC Ray Williams, South Worcs Division, nominee for the Lifetime Achievement Award
• Police Constable Peter Webb from Herefordshire Division, nominee for Student Officer of The Year.

Chief Constable Paul West said: Our annual awards ceremony is a very important event in the force's calendar. Our people are our greatest asset, and tonight is an opportunity to recognise and reward the very best of the excellent, and at times unsung, work that our officers, staff and volunteers undertake on a daily basis. In the presence of a number of very significant civic dignitaries representing communities throughout the force area, it provides us with a unique opportunity to publicly recognise their tireless enthusiasm, dedication and commitment."

High Sheriff of Shrophire, Hugh Trevor-Jones, presents the Criminal Investigator of the Year trophy to DC Barney Jones.Sheila Blagg, Chair of the West Mercia Police Authority, presented a number of awards on the night. She said: "Policing is dependent on its people with 80% of the budget allocated to its people resource. If people are working well then the organisation will be successful as they are the organisation. This is a very successful organisation because our staff make the difference and make the organisation special. West Mercia is a top ranking force due to all of its people working well together. These awards are to honour those that have made that little bit extra difference, they are for extraordinary efforts from extraordinary people. Well done to them all and a thank you on behalf of the Police Authority."

A selection of award winners based at force HQ, Hindlip, is listed below along with a citation.

Criminal Investigator of the Year - Detective Constable Richard ‘Barney' Jones
This award is open to any police officer or member of police staff and is presented in recognition of outstanding investigative ability. The award is intended to celebrate meticulous, determined, dogged and traditional investigative skills demonstrated in the last twelve months, which may not necessarily have come to the fore in a high profile case.

Barney is an experienced interviewer, he has been involved in many sensitive and challenging high profile operations, giving advice as an expert and personally conducting interviews with positive results.

His professionalism, commitment and positive attitude make him an excellent role model for specialist interviewers. Barney has previously received a Departmental Commendation for his commitment and excellence in training.

Dog Handler Team of the Year - Police Constable Mike Davey & Police Dogs Zorro and Toby; HQ, Force Operations
Mike has served with the Dog Section since 2002. He is a proactive officer who maintains the highest handling standards. Mike handles two police dogs and provides exceptional support to Hereford Division. He consistently achieves outstanding operational results and is one of the top performing officers on the section.

Mike suffered a knee injury on duty in February this year whilst attempting to detain an offender from an abandoned vehicle. He spent a period of time on restricted duties and undertook some project work relating to the force's response to incidents involving dangerous dogs.

Mike is an operational officer through and through, however he undertook this role with his usual enthusiasm and professionalism. Mike is a credit to the Force Operations Department and West Mercia Police.

Sadly, Police Dog Toby died this year after eight years working with Mike.

Special Recognition Award - Women's Network Steering Group
The Women's Network, formed in 2004, is commended for being excellent role models and for genuinely making a difference. The Network's efforts has contributed to West Mercia Police being recognised by The Times Newspaper in 2009 as one of the "Top 50 places where women want to work"

Members of the Network, which are drawn from all police ranks and levels of staff, have been excellent role models and ambassadors for women. They have organised events and personal development programmes. Their enthusiasm and energy are infectious.

Issued: Wednesday 8 September 2010