Awards Ceremony Praises Officers and Staff Going the Extra Mile

The outstanding achievements of police officers and staff from forces throughout the UK have been recognised at an awards ceremony hosted by the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP) in association with Jane's Police Review.

Nine police officers, including two who are retired, three staff and a PCSO, received awards in categories including bravery, leadership, mentoring and excellence, at the fourth annual awards ceremony at the Leicester Marriott Hotel on Monday (April 19).

The awards, which recognise the achievement of women in the police service, were presented by the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire and BAWP President Julie Spence, (pictured standing centre), who said she felt proud to be a police officer and to work with such dedicated people. "I am constantly amazed by the capacity of some people for giving their time, energy and commitment to help others."

Also included was a special recognition award particularly aimed at men who have made a significant contribution and commitment to the advancement of women in policing.

This year BAWP received a total of 108 nominations - a near record amount - from forces across the UK, including some of the national forces, such as British Transport Police and MOD Police. This year, for the first time, each Award was judged separately, and Judges were drawn from a wide cross-section of police officers and staff, and others with appropriate professional skills.

This year's winners and the sponsors of each award are:

Police Staff Achievement (sponsored by Magnum Essential Equipment)
Helen Ivory, Cumbria Constabulary
Highly Commended: Joanne Evans, Merseyside Police

Achievement in Staff Wellbeing (sponsored by Benenden Healthcare)
Vicki Hastings, Cumbria Constabulary

Community Service (sponsored by British Transport Police)
Police Community Support Officer Nicola Yates, West Midlands Police
Highly Commended: Constable Julie Dodd, Cumbria Constabulary

Mentoring (sponsored by The Springboard Consultancy)
Claire Sykes, South Yorkshire Police
Highly Commended - Angela Booton, West Midlands Police

Leadership (sponsored by The Garnett Foundation)
Sergeant Isabella McManus, MOD Police and Guarding Agency

Excellence in Performance (sponsored by HAIX)
Constable Janet Humphrey, Suffolk Constabulary
Highly Commended - Constable Anna Bird, West Midlands Police and Detective Chief Inspector Tricia Kirk, Northamptonshire Police

Bravery (sponsored by Lion Apparel)
Constable Sarah Hogan, Leicestershire Constabulary
Constable Paula Rutherford, Northamptonshire Police
Highly Commended - Constable Lucy Boddington, Thames Valley Police

Officer of the Year (sponsored by PMAS Police Mutual)
Constable Elizabeth Mumford, West Midlands Police
Highly Commended - Constable Diane Mahon, Staffordshire Police

Special Recognition Award (sponsored by Cooneen Watts and Stone)
Constables Andrew Pope and Andrew Wolstencroft, Staffordshire Police

Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Recognition Express)
Chief Superintendent (retired) Lynn Harris, Derbyshire Constabulary
Superintendent (retired) Shirley Tulloch, Metropolitan Police Service.

These winners will be put forward for an International Award for Women Policing. Last year (2009), five BAWP award winners went on to receive an international award at the IAWP annual ceremony in Seattle, USA.