Nominate your Police Officer of the Year

H District Commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Noble encouraged the Coleraine public to submit nominations for Police Officer of the Year and Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year.

Chief Superintendent Noble said: “The Policing with the Community Awards, held annually since 2003, pay tribute to the contribution and commitment of police officers and staff who work in partnership with local people to develop a local response to address the need identified by the communities.

“We are committed to delivering the finest personal, professional, protective policing service to all communities across Northern Ireland. Over the past 12 months there has been a further reduction in the overall levels of reported crime which now sit at a 14 year low. At the same time confidence levels in policing have increased.

“Much of this has been achieved by police officers and staff working in partnership with the communities they serve.

“We continue to explore new ways of engaging with local communities, ensuring that officers and staff are available in the right numbers, in the right places at the right times to make a difference. The introduction of new technology and streamlining of administrative processes have increased the amount of time police officers spend on patrol per day by almost two hours.

“In recognition of these changes and improvements, we have also introduced three new categories to this year’s Policing with the Community Awards, personal policing service, protective policing service and professional policing service awards – in each of these categories we will be looking individuals who put themselves on the frontline to prevent serious harm and providing that necessary reassurance to their local communities.

“Working in partnership with other agencies, community groups and individuals, we remain resolute in our commitment to making Northern Ireland a safer place for everyone.”

The Police Service has a dedicated Policing with the Community Branch that develops community policing and best practice throughout the service. The Awards, which are an initiative of the branch, are designed to acknowledge commitment and innovation.

Nomination forms can be obtained at all police stations throughout Northern Ireland or by logging onto http://www.psni.police.uk/index/updates/policing_with_the_community_awards-2012.htm The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 18 July 2012.

There are a total of eight Award categories:

The 2012 Award Categories are as follows:

Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year

Personal Policing Service Award

Protective Policing Service Award

Professional Policing Service Award

Police Officer of the Year Award

Police Staff Member of the Year Award

Diversity in Action Award

Problem Solving Award

A £2,000 bursary will be presented to each category winner, which can be spent on a Policing with the Community initiative.

Police Commanders along with local Policing and Community Safety Partnerships will nominate candidates for all categories. A panel drawn from the Police Service, the Policing Board and independent external representatives will judge each category.