Inspector Sinfield is top cop in Community Policing Awards
Thursday 21 May 2009, 2:20pm
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Kevin Sinfield has been named Community Officer of the Year in the 2009 Community Policing Awards.
Inspector Sinfield, who has served with the Force for 28 years, received numerous nominations for his work in managing the neighbourhood teams in east and south Reading, where he has worked since 2005.
They all praised his work in building relationships with residents, businesses and partner organisations, and in particular for establishing a series of popular community sports events through his work with the East Reading Police and Communities Sports Group and the Kickz football project.
Inspector Sinfield said: “This award is, without a doubt, the highlight of my career as it has been members of the community who have come forward and shown their thanks for the work I have been doing for the past four years.
“To receive a local award is outstanding but to receive a Force award is beyond my wildest dreams, especially when you think of all the other good work going on in Neighbourhood Policing.
“It’s great to raise the profile of policing in Reading and that of the partnership work that is going on. I have strived to work with and for the local community, balancing their needs and that of Thames Valley Police.”
Inspector Sinfield is quick to praise the work of his teams in east and south Reading and that of the Neighbourhood Action Groups in these areas.
He said: “I have a fantastically committed and dedicated team working for me and without their efforts and willingness to go the extra mile, Neighbourhood Policing in these areas would not have been as successful as it currently is.
“There is still plenty of work to be done and I won’t be stepping back, with my desire to further reduce crime and make local people feel safe and part of a community.
“I am working very closely with five Neighbourhood Action Groups (NAGs) to address local issues and would also like to thank all of the partner agencies and members of the community who turn up to these meetings and assist in solving the problems that have been identified.”
A feature of Inspector Sinfield’s work in Reading has been how he has used sport to bring different community groups closer together. There have been many community cricket competitions and football matches and the East Reading Police and Community Sport Group currently runs some very popular youth football leagues.
More recently, he has worked with the Kickz project which, through the appeal of football, provides young people the opportunity to take part in positive activity three times a week.
He added: “We have had a great deal of success in East Reading, especially thanks to the sporting links that we have established with the many different cultural community groups. The football, cricket and rounders tournaments that have been organised are always well attended and keenly contested.
“Strong bonds have formed with many of these groups and I intend to develop these further. In South Reading, I work closely with the Kickz Football Project and have been impressed with the commitment and dedication shown by young people in the area who just need to be given opportunities to show their undoubted ability.”
Superintendent Steve Kirk, the Reading Local Police Area commander, said: “I am delighted that Kevin’s hard work has been formally recognised at this level.
“He has been a community-based officer for much of his career and has played a key role in introducing Neighbourhood Policing to Reading. He is extremely well connected with the neighbourhoods he serves and has a real passion for community policing. The outcome has been wide participation with impressive reductions in crime and disorder.”
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