Time to nominate your top police officer

Speaking at the launch of the 2012 Policing with the Community Awards last week,

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,” he said.

The 2012 Award Categories are - 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 and 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.

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 July 18.