Exceptional police work praised at awards ceremony

Police officers, staff and volunteers have been recognised for their outstanding work to help keep Cambridgeshire safe.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s annual awards showcased acts of bravery and dedication as part of the event held at Burgess Hall, in St Ives, on Friday (22 November).

The constabulary received more than 150 nominations for 14 categories that were shortlisted to 39 finalists.

The nominations reflected the diversity of work carried out in policing, from bringing the perpetrators of horrendous crimes to justice to volunteering in the local community.

Chief Constable Nick Dean said: “Congratulations to all the award winners and nominees who displayed exceptional work and dedication to policing.

“Every day I see outstanding and inspiring work by officers and staff. I am delighted we were able to recognise the incredible work done to keep the county safe.

“Working as a team is key to our success and this ceremony is an important opportunity for us to celebrate that, showing our appreciation for all the hard work and professionalism displayed throughout the past year.

“We couldn’t put on this important event without the support of our generous sponsors. Thank you to each of them for their commitment to the awards.”

 

Photo: The award winners

 

The award winners were:

Commitment to Leadership  

Jack Chimes: Jack is an exceptional senior leader who has transformed the Information Management Department (IMD) with his commitment to staff wellbeing and development. His open communication and innovative approach has combined with an approachable, honest, and empathetic leadership style.

Commitment to Safeguarding – Sponsored by Black Marble 

Sarah-Kate Watson: Sarah-Kate has made an exceptional impact in her role supporting street sex workers in Peterborough. Her consistent engagement and professional approach have built trust and confidence within this vulnerable community, leading to increased reporting of serious offences.

Commitment to Health and Wellbeing and Grand Prix Winner (Chief Constable’s Employee of the Year Award) – Sponsored by Neville Special Projects 

Laura Rainbird: Laura, leader of the Command Cell South, exemplifies exceptional leadership through her unwavering commitment to staff welfare. Her ability to support officers facing various challenges, both personal and professional, has been exceptional, preventing resignations and fostering a supportive work environment culture.

Cadet of the Year 

Freya Leczkowski:  Freya, who is from East Cambs, has demonstrated exemplary commitment and growth during her two years as a cadet. Her consistent attendance and dedication to her duties, including her role as a High Sheriff Cadet, showcase her dependability and professionalism. Her leading of drill sessions and participation in community operations, such as the underage sale operation with Trading Standards, highlights her courage and dedication to public service.

Volunteer of the Year 

Jo Treeby: For a decade, Jo has been an exemplary volunteer for the Constabulary and OPCC. As an Independent Custody Visitor (ICV), she ensures detainee welfare, while supporting recruitment, training, and mentoring of new ICVs, as well as arranging rotas, and offering shadow visits. Jo is consistently reliable, offering additional visits when needed and supporting annual reports. Her expertise, commitment, and supportive nature make her an invaluable asset to the team and a respected figure among volunteers.

 Special of the Year 

Fiona Braybrooke: Fiona is an exceptional Special Constable who has supported Cambridgeshire Constabulary in various capacities over the years. Currently serving in Ely, she applies her extensive finance background to support the Volume Crime Team. Fiona's professionalism and unwavering commitment to the Special Constabulary is exemplary. Fiona's standout quality is her willingness to help whenever needed. Her positive attitude, dedication, and readiness to support others make her an inspiring role model for all Special Constables.

PCSO of the Year  

Thomas Puthenpurayil: Thomas, a long-serving PCSO in Peterborough's Millfield area, embodies community policing excellence. With 17 years of service, he's known as ‘Mr Millfield’ for his deep community connections and knowledge. Thomas consistently supports new officers, maintains crucial community partnerships, and runs a successful youth football project. His calm demeanour and extensive experience make him invaluable in managing community issues.

Student officer of the Year  

Becca Sebley: Becca has consistently impressed since joining the force, demonstrating natural policing ability and a positive approach. She excelled during her tutor period, achieving independent patrol status ahead of schedule. Becca quickly gained an excellent reputation on the Cambridge City Response team, managing her workload effectively with minimal supervision. Her dedication enables her to obtain the best evidence, resulting in positive outcomes and effective safeguarding.

Investigator of the Year – Sponsored by Garden Productions 

Morgan French: Morgan is an exceptional investigator known for her consistent, thorough and diligent approach to all cases. Her commitment to achieving the right outcomes for vulnerable people is evident in her professional challenges to resourcing decisions. Morgan's ability to overcome adversity, collaborate effectively with other forces, and maintain motivation and compassion throughout lengthy investigations is exemplary.

Police Staff of the Year

Lauren Alexander: Lauren is a dedicated communications professional who tirelessly promotes police visibility and builds public trust in the north of Cambridgeshire. Her innovative use of social media, including body-worn video footage, has significantly increased community engagement and positive perceptions of policing in the county. Lauren's thorough approach, vast knowledge, and unwavering commitment make her an invaluable asset to colleagues and officers alike. Her dedication, passion and professionalism exemplify excellence in police communications.

Police officer of the Year – Sponsored by the Police Federation 

George Corney: George is an exemplary officer who consistently demonstrates outstanding dedication, leadership and investigative ability. His tireless work ethic and drive in the north of the county have made him a cornerstone of the acquisitive crime team, leading to the highest number of detections. George's commitment to professional development, evident in his praised presentations to new officers, showcases his mentoring skills. His exceptional victim care has earned heartfelt recognition from those he's helped.

Team of the Year – Sponsored by Willmott Dixon 

Cambridge City East and South NPT: The team has demonstrated exceptional dedication in tackling local crime. Their proactive approach, including flexible working hours and innovative strategies like DNA tagging spray, led to a remarkable 90% reduction in related offences. The team's efforts extended beyond enforcement to prevention, focusing on rehabilitating offenders and community engagement. Their outstanding work earned national recognition, winning the ‘most innovative acquisitive crime reduction project’ award.

Unsung Hero  

Caitlin Bones: Caitlin's quiet dedication and commitment have made her an indispensable member of the organisation. Caitlin's innovative approach to cultural awareness training has provided unique opportunities for officers to engage with young people, building trust and confidence in the police force. Her efforts have revolutionised the constabulary's approach to Stop and Search and Use of Force, improving officer performance and community relations. Caitlin's development of educational materials, training videos, and public engagement initiatives demonstrates her commitment to enhancing police legitimacy.

The event also raised £355 for the charity Care of Police Survivors (COPS), as chosen by staff, through a raffle of prizes donated by the award sponsors and companies the force has worked with over the past year.