Cumbria Police worker receives international acclaim

A health management officer from Cumbria Constabulary has received global recognition for her work supporting police officers and staff in dealing with work-related traumas.

Vicki Hastings, who joined Cumbria Constabulary in 2005, was presented with the prestigious Civilian Achievement Award by the International Association of Women Police, at their annual conference in Minneapolis, USA.

IAWP President, Jane Townsley, who also serves as a Chief Inspector with British Transport Police, said: "Police-work can be very demanding and at times distressing. We are very impressed by the work that Vicki has done to support her colleagues in dealing with the very real traumas that they can face in their day to day working lives.

"Working with officers and staff within her Constabulary, Vicki's goal has been to significantly diminish and ultimately eradicate the stigma associated with seeking and receiving psychological help. She has helped hundreds of police officers and staff to improve their home and working lives through addressing many varied health related problems."

One of the most significant and important initiatives undertaken by Vicki to improve the health and well-being of department personnel has been the introduction of the Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) process, which replaced the previously used Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD). Vicki's knowledge, natural communication skills and credibility helped ensure a smooth transition to the new system.

She has supported this by developing and delivering high quality training, implementation and interpretation of stress audits and production of educational and informative literature on various health related matters.

Vicki said: "I was overwhelmed and overjoyed to receive this award. I would like to pay tribute to all the men and women who made the process work so well. I only had the map - they walked the journey, so this award is as much theirs as mine!"

Stuart Hyde, Deputy Chief Constable for Cumbria Constabulary, said: "I am both proud and delighted that Vicki's outstanding work has received international recognition. Her knowledge and expertise around the wellbeing of our workforce has helped countless numbers of officers and staff deal with trauma and stress; often enabling them to remain at work with her counselling and support rather than take sick leave. The passion and dedication she demonstrates in her role every day exemplifies why our communities are right to be confident in Cumbria Constabulary."

Julia Jaeger, a committee member of the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP), who attended the Minneapolis ceremony, said: "We are very proud of 'Vicki's outstanding achievements. We knew she was special because she won the equivalent BAWP award earlier this year, but now she has beaten off strong competition from around the world and has been recognised internationally for her skills and achievements - thereby showing how outstanding British policing is today."

The IAWP holds annual award ceremonies to recognise high-levels of commitment and dedication shown by policewomen throughout the world. The Association represents the interests of women police officers internationally, aiming to strengthen, unite and raise the profile of women law enforcers. At its heart is the recognition that women police officers bring unique and invaluable skills to criminal justice agencies.