Force award ceremony shines a spotlight on officers, staff and volunteers for their commitment to public service
Officers, staff and volunteers who go above and beyond, demonstrating professionalism, compassion and commitment to keeping communities safe were celebrated at Dorset Police’s recent annual award ceremony.
The Sue Aldous Police Dog and Handler of the Year was awarded to Police Constable Mike Green and his police dogs, Gerri and Fuzz, for their dedication, reliability and extensive experience in delivering outstanding results. On one occasion, they located a concealed stash of £203,860 in a very complex hide underneath the back seats of a car that had been stopped. This find directly led to the successful prosecution of an organised crime group leader, who was later imprisoned for eight years.
Special Constable Paul Brown was awarded the Special Constable of the Year Award for his commitment, operational skill and community spirit. Paul regularly exceeds expected hours, having volunteered 756 hours in just 12 months – more than three times the commitment asked of our volunteer police officers. Paul has completed over 130 duties, mostly with Wareham Neighbourhood Policing Team and patrol units, where he is an intrinsic part of the team and can be relied upon to support local policing in any role.
A number of our teams were also awarded at the event: the volunteer cadet leaders were presented with the Police Support Volunteer Team of the Year, the Taxi Watch group were awarded the Watch Group Award, and Dorchester Neighbourhood Policing Team were awarded the Reducing Crime Award for their targeted problem-solving approach, which saw a 40 per cent reduction in crime in Dorchester over the past 12 months.
Police Community Support Officer Samantha Murray received the PCSO of the Year (High Sheriff’s Tankard) for her proactivity and community care, and Sergeant Jennifer Hussey was awarded the Leadership Award for her dedication, leadership and performance – consistently delivering high positive outcome rates across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Chief Constable Amanda Pearson said: “These award ceremonies are an important opportunity for us to come together to recognise and celebrate the remarkable people who make our Force what it is.
“Those teams and individuals recognised reflect the professionalism, commitment and passion to make a difference that underpins everything we do to keep Dorset safe.
“We police with and within communities, and we know that our achievements are not realised in isolation, so these award ceremonies also recognise the invaluable support and contributions of partner agencies and community groups.
“Friends, family members, and colleagues attended to share in the celebrations, making it a memorable occasion for all involved. I would like to extend my gratitude to them. Policing can be demanding and emotionally challenging, the unwavering support and encouragement of families and friends plays an essential part in enabling officers, staff and volunteers to serve the public fairly and effectively.
“Congratulations to all the award winners and thank you for the invaluable contribution you make to our communities every day.”
Have you ever considered a career in policing? We are recruiting now for police officers, detectives, special constables and contact officers. To find out more and about how to apply, please visit: Careers with Dorset Police | Dorset Police
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