Community Policing Awards 2020 Winners

Buckinghamshire and Overall Community Police Officer 2020: Inspector Emily Dover

At the time she was nominated Inspector Emily Dover was based at Buckingham police base and is currently based at Milton Keynes station.

Emily is well known across the north Buckinghamshire communities as a result of working tirelessly with the rural community to address issues relating to cross border criminality.

She is described as having restored the rural communities’ faith in Thames Valley Police.

 

Oxfordshire Community Officer 2020: Police Constable Craig Finch

Craig joined Thames Valley Police in 2008 and is based at St Aldates police station.

He has worked hard to develop a rapport with the homeless community in Oxford, building up trust with those who feel injustice or have a lack of confidence in the police.

He is described as reliable, highly respected and an invaluable colleague.

 

Berkshire Community Officer 2020: Police Constable David Wren

David joined Thames Valley Police in 2012 and is based at Reading police station.

He works well with the communities of Reading, engaging with hard to reach communities and helping to build up confidence in the police. He is described as a brilliant police officer who is always willing to help when he can and has built a strong relationship with local neighbourhoods.

 

Berkshire and Overall Police Community Support Officer 2020: David Bullock

PCSO David Bullock joined Thames Valley Police in 2008 and is based at Windsor police station.

He works tirelessly to safeguard and support the homeless and vulnerable communities in and around Windsor. He has been instrumental in setting up the Windsor Street Angels, an organisation of volunteers who look after the night time community.

David is described as ‘an asset to Windsor town’, a ‘living angel’ and a ‘brilliant, thoughtful, respected officer who always goes the extra mile’.

 

Buckinghamshire Police Community Support Officer 2020: Alex Ridley

PCSO Alex Ridley joined Thames Valley Police in 2016 and at the time of being nominated for this award he was based at Buckingham police station.

Alex has demonstrated exceptional dedication to developing rapport with the community of Buckingham and in doing so has increased the community’s confidence in Thames Valley Police.

 

Oxfordshire Police Community Support Officer 2020: Helen Duffield

PCSO Helen Duffield joined Thames Valley Police in 2008 and is a key member of the neighbourhood team in Cowley.

Helen’s vast local knowledge is outstanding and she is always at the end of the phone willing to help when she can.

She is described as being “Always positive and works creatively in the demanding environment that she works in.”

 

Special Constable 2020: Owen Swain

Special Constable Owen Swain joined Thames Valley Police in 2011 and is based at Milton Keynes police station. During this time, he has spent five years’ on patrol and he has now completed another five years’ on the Roads Policing Unit.

Owen continues to go above and beyond by exceeding his allocated hours and in 2019 he volunteered over 850 hours; he did this in addition to working a full time job and having a young family at home.

Owen is described by his colleagues as a ‘well respected member of the team’, ‘a top copper’, ‘one in a million’ and ‘an absolute credit to the organisation’.

 

Diversity Champion 2020: PCSO Ahmed Mohamed

PCSO Ahmed Mohamed joined Thames Valley Police in 2016 and is based at Cowley police station.

He works closely with diverse groups within Oxford to help them with integrating into a new community. As an Arabic speaker, he has been invaluable in breaking down communication barriers and building trust.

 

Volunteer 2020: Tom Thomas

Tom has been volunteering for Thames Valley Police for a number of years prior to and since retiring as a Police Officer in 2011.

He volunteers to act as a casualty, spending his time being covered in fake blood and plastered with silicone wounds, whilst being dragged onto a stretcher or treated whilst laying on the ground.

His nominator said: “Tom is always willing to give up his time to help us and without his support, we simply could not deliver the high standard of training that we do.”

 

Community Volunteer 2020: Dave Clayton

Dave has become a key link between, and worked closely with, Thames Valley Police and the rural communities surrounding Wantage for a number of years.

He has been instrumental in setting up the WhatsApp group, allowing for a fast and effective network between all of the landowners in the area and the Neighbourhood team.

His nominators have described him as a ‘great community spirited person’ and a ‘respected voice for the community’.

 

Cadet 2020: Isaac Deacon

Isaac joined Reading cadets in 2017 and has progressed through the ranks to become Head Cadet. He is dedicated, hardworking and puts himself forward to volunteer for everything he can.

Isaac is described as a very honest and loyal cadet and he has since left the cadets to become a Special Constable.

 

Problem Solving Award 2020: Windsor and Maidenhead Food Academy

The Windsor and Maidenhead Food Academy is an early intervention and engagement initiative aimed at vulnerable young people within the local police area.

The scheme, initially launched in 2018, works closely with a multitude of stakeholders to expand the services to those in need of support and diversion.

Their nominator said: “In times of austerity the ability of the team to sustain relationships, attract funding and build community resilience is to be commended.”

 

Staff Lifetime Achievement 2020: Karen Smith

Karen has been with Thames Valley Police for over 30 years’, recently retiring from the force having been in post as the Forensic Services Manager.

She has been at the forefront of developing forensic services in Thames Valley Police at both a regional and national level.  During her time in the force, Karen saw a significant increase in demand for forensics as well as a reduction in forensic budgets.

Karen has provided outstanding commitment and service to Thames Valley Police and her leadership of the Forensic Investigation Unit.

 

Officer Lifetime Achievement 2020: Richard Colson

Richard has completed over 30 years’ service with Thames Valley Police and during his career he has worked in a multitude of roles including response, neighbourhood, custody and roads policing.

As a Neighbourhood Sergeant, he knew his community inside out and made a lot of great connections with members of public as well as partner agencies.

His nominator said: “He is the ultimate professional”.

 

Award of Honour 2020: PC Andrew Harper

To reflect the response we had from our local communities, who in their nominations wanted to see PC Harper recognised for the ultimate sacrifice he made in protecting the people of Thames Valley, we have created a new category called the Award of Honour and this will be awarded to Andrew posthumously.