Police Service launch 2011 Policing with the Community Awards
16 Feb 2011
As Policing with the Community Awards enters the eighth year, members of the public are being invited to nominate for the titles of Police Officer of the Year and Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year.
Developed by the Police Service in partnership with the Northern Ireland Policing Board, the Awards were formally launched today (16 February 2011) by Assistant Chief Constable, Will Kerr.
ACC Kerr said: “We are committed to delivering a personal, professional, protective Police Service to communities across Northern Ireland. Over the course of the last twelve months we have been putting in place mechanisms that will increase community engagement, and enhance feedback from individuals and victims of crime.
“This information will play a crucial role in helping us to refine service delivery by reducing bureaucracy, increasing front-line visibility and ultimately delivering upon objectives that have been set in conjunction with the local community. Working in partnership with other agencies, community groups and individuals, we remain resolute in our commitment to making Northern Ireland a safer place for everyone.”
The Police Service has a dedicated Policing with the Community Branch that develops community policing and best practice throughout the service. The Awards, which are an initiative of the branch, are designed to acknowledge commitment and innovation.
ACC Kerr explains: “The Policing with the Community Awards pay tribute to the contribution and commitment of police officers and staff who have been working in partnership with local people to enable robust action plans to be established to address the need identified by the communities.”
Last year three of the category winners in the Policing with the Community Awards, went on to lift accolades in the Jane’s Gala Awards ceremony. Their contributions to creating a safer environment were benchmarked against their counterparts in over 50 other police services.
Encouraging members of the public to take an active role in the nomination process, Brian Rea, Acting Chairman of the Policing Board said:
"The job of a police officer is wide ranging and every day, officers are out and about working hard to deliver a service which benefits our entire society.
“Real progress has been made in how officers deliver policing out on our streets and this kind of progress can only continue when the police and community work in partnership. It is important to take some time to recognise the dedication and hard work of many officers whose efforts make all our lives that bit easier and I would encourage members of the public to take this opportunity to nominate those who they feel have benefitted their community.”
Nomination forms can be obtained at all police stations throughout Northern Ireland or by logging onto www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/pwca_2010.htm The closing date for nominations is Friday 11 March 2011.
There are a total of eight Award categories:
- Probationer Police Officer of the Year
- Partnership of the Year
- Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year
- Police Staff member of the Year
- Police Officer of the Year
- Diversity in Action Award
- Police staff Lifetime Achievement Award
- Police Lifetime Achievement Award
A £2,000 bursary will be presented to each category winner, which can be spent on a Policing with the Community initiative.
Police Commanders along with local District Policing Partnerships will nominate candidates for all categories. A panel drawn from the Police Service, the Policing Board and independent external representatives will judge each category.
Ends
Notes to Editors
1. A copy of the public nomination form is attached.
2. Nomination forms for the Police Officer of the Year and Neighbourhood Policing Team of the year Categories are available from local police commanders or by logging onto www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/pwca_2010.htm
3. The winners will be announced at an Awards ceremony in May.
4. The winners of the Lifetime Achievement Awards will receive specially commissioned pieces of sculpture.
