Vote for your local officer or PCSO
Nominations are now being invited for this year's Safer Neighbourhood Awards. The awards are split into several categories including the Safer Neighbourhoods Police Officer of the Year and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) of the Year. You can get involved in the process by voting for your local officer or PCSO and recognising the outstanding work done by them which has made a significant impact in your community. If your local Officer or PCSO has shown excellent commitment and initiative then filling out a voting form can be a good way of showing your appreciation.
Supporting the awards can also help support local charities, as each nominated officer will receive a cheque for £300 to donate to a charitable cause of their choice. There will be eight nominations in each category to reflect the work done at the Community Safety Partnership level.
The overall winning Officer and PCSO will proceed to the national competition, organised by Jane's Police Review magazine where they will represent North Yorkshire Police at a gala awards evening in London.
Last year's winner of the Safer Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year, Sergeant Sarah Bestington of the York South Safer Neighbourhood Team was nominated for her work to implement the Capable Guardian scheme. The initiative brings together the police and other agencies every month to discuss ways of tackling anti-social behaviour in the area.
Sgt Bestington, who was nominated by members of the community, said: "I feel proud and really appreciate the recognition of my work over the year as a Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeant.
"As police officers we are often on the front line of public complaints and dissatisfaction so it is refreshing when the community recognise your good work and what it has achieved for the community.
Sgt Bestington is encouraging people to vote for their local officers in recognition of the tireless work they put in throughout the year to make our communities safer.
She added: "When I look at the fantastic results that have been achieved throughout the organisation, it is difficult to single out one individual. I would therefore encourage both partner agencies and members of the community to look at the achievements of their local officers and make a nomination based on the difference they have made to life in their local area."
PCSO Tracy Brown, of Ryedale Safer Neighbourhood Team, won last year's Police Community Support Officer of the Year award after being nominated by a number of organisations within her community including the local school, council and other partner agencies.
PCSO Brown was nominated for her excellent partnership working, her commitment to important initiatives such as combating underage drinking and for always being there when the community needed her.
She said: "It was an honour to be nominated by my community and to win PCSO of the year for North Yorkshire. It gave me a great sense of achievement and recognition for the work we carry out within our roles.
"I would encourage people to vote for their local officers if they value the work that is carried out in their community as it shows that our efforts are appreciated."
To vote for your local officer, nomination forms can be obtained from your local SNT Inspector by calling 0845 60 60 24 7.
Nomination forms can also be found on here
