Derbyshire Police surprises officers, staff and volunteers with annual award presentations

The annual awards are usually handed out at a ceremony with all nominees in attendance, but the pandemic forced a rethink and winners were instead surprised with presentations while they were at work.

Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: “Recognising the hard work and dedication of our staff is so important. I’m pleased to say that we managed to surprise recipients by telling them they had won during a virtual meeting, or delivering their awards to them at their police station or while on patrol.

“I am proud of all our award winners and nominees, who continued to go the extra mile for our communities in what was a particularly challenging year.”

The investigator of the year award went to Detective Staff Investigator Jason Beardsley, who was praised for his outstanding work on a serious sexual assault case earlier this year.

Special constable of the year was Special Sergeant David Holmes, who volunteers with the force to improve road safety for bikers.

He said: “I’ve been a motorcyclist for years and part of my reason for joining the force was a passion for traffic section and more specifically, keeping people alive. This seemed like the glue between the biker and police world.”

Fingerprint identification officer Danny Redden. who joined the force 41 years ago, won the lifetime achievement award.

PCSO of the year was Paul Wright, of Derby City Safer Neighbourhood Team, for his work to educate youngsters on the dangers of knives.

He said: “I really do enjoy my job. Our role is prevention rather than cure, and I try to stop someone from going down a path of crime.”

Community officer of the year was won by PC Toni Rudd, who is about to celebrate three years at Cotton Lane Police Station in Derby.

She said: “I feel really proud just to have been nominated and I couldn’t have done everything I have done this year without the team at Cotton Lane.”

Safer Neighbourhood Team of the Year was given to officers in Pear Tree, Derby.

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