Police volunteers' achievements recognised at awards presentation

The achievements of Nottinghamshire Police’s force volunteers have been recognised at a dedicated awards ceremony.

Volunteer Cadet Leaders and Police Support Volunteers attended the appreciation event where long service and three specialist awards for outstanding achievement were presented at Bestwood Village Hall on February 3.

The awards recognised the hard work, time, and commitment that the volunteers provide daily to Nottinghamshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner’s office.

Colleagues came together to hear how the volunteers make a positive difference to communities across Nottinghamshire every day as part of the force’s Prevention Hub, which is a collaboration between multiple force departments responsible for developing and delivering strategies to prevent crime and disorder throughout the city and county.

Esteemed guests who gave speeches included Superintendent Heather Maelor, head of the Prevention Hub, Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry, Dame Elizabeth Fradd, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, and David Stewart, a Deputy Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire.

The two High Sheriff Cadets, Luke Aitken and Lilia Walters, who assist the High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire with ceremonial duties, also attended to help present the awards.

Police support and cadet leader volunteers enhance the work of officers and staff, which may be through office-based or public-facing roles, by allowing them to focus on core policing duties, which means more officers on the street and improved community support.

A mix of six police officers and 10 civilian volunteers offer their time, skills and knowledge to operate the force’s five cadet bases by running weekly sessions during school term time to almost 100 young people across Nottinghamshire.

A total of 30 volunteers attended the event, where length of service awards were presented to all guests for three, five, seven and 10 years’ service, who each received a certificate and the accompanying pin badge.

Three specialist categories were also presented to those who made an outstanding achievement, including Police Support Volunteer of the Year, Cadet Leader of the Year and Chaplain of the Year.

Police Support Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Ameera Kareem and Wafa Marouf, who both work closely with the force’s Community Cohesion Coordinator to engage hard-to-reach communities.

They dedicate their personal time to attend events, use their language skills to enhance relationships, promote police roles within these communities and support student officers during training by providing insights into cultural differences.

Chaplain of the Year was awarded to Heather Bartley for her role in providing additional support to officers and staff during extremely difficult times over the last 12 months.

Ms Bartley’s contribution extends to operating at three police stations, combining the role of three chaplains.

Cadet Leader of the Year was awarded to Alfie Russell and Shaun White.

Mr Russell was a cadet who joined the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship scheme and now takes on the role of a cadet leader, finds the time to help senior cadets, and provides advice to others considering a career in policing.

Having previously volunteered his time as a special constable before joining the force as a police constable, Mr White is a principal leader at one of Nottinghamshire Police’s cadet bases and now offers his spare time to prepare and deliver first aid sessions to all cadet bases.

Superintendent Heather Maelor, head of the Prevention Hub at Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We are so very proud of the work that our amazing volunteers do, many of them have dedicated years to volunteering for Nottinghamshire Police.

“Together they help police officers and staff focus on core policing duties, which means more officers on the streets and improved community support.

“This event was just a small way to recognise the work they do. Thank you to the Citizens in Policing coordinator team who advocate for volunteers every single day and have put on this event to celebrate their success.”

Lyndsey Hufton, Citizens in Policing Coordinator at Nottinghamshire Police, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome some of our volunteers to the event, and a great way to recognise the hard work and time each of them gives to Nottinghamshire Police.

“Each volunteer brings with them their own skills and experience which they give to the force. I am humbled by their dedication to giving up their spare time to contribute in this way.”

There are around 100 volunteers in Nottinghamshire Police who regularly give up their time to help keep communities safe.

To find out more about the various roles available and how you can help make a difference contact the team directly by email at [email protected] or visit our website here.