Cumbria Police Staff receive national awards

The outstanding achievements of two staff members of Cumbria Constabulary have been recognised at a national awards ceremony hosted by the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP) in association with Jane's Police Review.

Helen Ivory, Constabulary's Personnel Development Officer, received the Police Staff Achievement award and Health Management Officer, Vicki Hastings, was awarded the Achievement in Staff Wellbeing trophy at BAWP's fourth annual awards ceremony at the Leicester Marriott Hotel last month.

Joanna Bancroft MBE, Cumbria Constabulary's Director of Personnel and Development, said: "I am delighted that my staff members have been honoured nationally - they deserve it.

"Through her passionate and committed approach, Helen, as a Springboard Trainer, has helped more than 40 per cent of senior female police officers benefit from in-house development training courses called Springboard and Spring Forward. These courses provide mentoring, networking and support to female officers and staff wishing to progress their career.

"She is a credit to the Personnel and Development Directorate, and Cumbria Constabulary as a whole."

Helen Ivory, said: "I am thrilled to receive this award, and delighted to have my efforts recognised on a national level."

Vicki Hastings was nominated for the Achievement in Staff Wellbeing award for making a tremendous impact on the force since she joined as a Health Management Officer in 2005 by introducing a system to support officers and staff to deal with the traumas they can face in their day-to-day work.

Ms Bancroft added: "Vicki is a remarkable individual who is passionate about her role in supporting officers and staff deal with trauma and stress. Her invaluable work around the wellbeing of our workforce has done so much for the Constabulary and its staff; who are often able to remain at work with her counselling and support rather than take sick leave. She is a valued member of the Personnel and Development Directorate and the Constabulary. "

Also recognised at the ceremony was PC Julie Dodd, of North Cumbria Community Safety Team, who was Highly Commended in the Community Service category.

Chief Constable Craig Mackey, said: "I am proud that our staff and officers have been recognised in these national awards judged by our peers. The passion and dedication these women demonstrate in their roles every day exemplifies why our communities can be confident in Cumbria Constabulary. Without their hard work, and that of the thousands of staff and officers employed in the force, we could not have the success we do in keeping Cumbria safe and strong.

"I am also extremely proud of fact that 33 per cent of all officers in the Constabulary are female. This shows Cumbria Constabulary is seen as an employer of choice in the county and has a workforce that is representative of the community it serves."

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.