Female officers honoured at BAWP awards

Scotland’s first prison liaison officer and a senior figure in the Royal Navy Police are among several female officers who have been recognised for advancing the profile of women in policing. PC Tracey Gunn took home the ‘Officer of the Year’ award at the British Association of Women in Policing’s (BAWP’s) ceremony in Lincolnshire on Tuesday (June 13). PC Gunn, from Police Scotland, was the driving force behind the creation of HMP Edinburgh’s police liaison officers having been the first such officer in the country. To break down engagement barriers, she encouraged inmates to collaborate on a booklet called ‘My Daddy and the Police’, featuring contributions from their children. Over five months, PC Gunn built up trust with the prisoners to the point where she was invited to share meals with them and meet their children during visits. In the last year she has led eight sessions at HMP Edinburgh and has now introduced ‘Meet the Police’ at five more prisons. She has also secured funding to distribute the booklet to every jail in Scotland, as well as Edinburgh’s public libraries. Lieutenant Elizabeth Grant, of the Royal Navy Police, won the prize for leadership having “led from the front” to tackle domestic abuse. A spokesperson said: “Lieutenant Elizabeth Grant is an exceptionally bright and talented Royal Navy Police Officer whose operational policing knowledge, confidence and natural enthusiasm in all that she does contribute to making her an inspirational leader. “For the past two years she has worked with a large degree of autonomy and authority befitting an officer of a more superior rank by providing oversight of all RNP operations on behalf of the Chief of Royal Navy Police. “She is widely respected by all within the Royal Navy Police and is the ‘go to’ person for advice and direction in operational matters.” Special Superintendent Susan-Copland Scott was also recognised for her “significant and consistent contribution” to Devon and Cornwall Police with the Lifetime Achievement award. Other winners included: Community Service award – PCSO Lynne Butler, North Yorkshire Police; Coaching and Mentoring award – PC Nicola Flanagan, Staffordshire Police; Excellence in Performance award – Linda Gore (force undeclared); Bravery award – PC Julie Bennett and PC Leah Greenacre, Cheshire Constabulary; Civilian Achievement award – Cristina Gavrilovic, Kent and Essex Police; Inspirational award – PC Debbie Hall, Cumbria Constabulary; Police Volunteer award – Reverend Viv Baldwin, National Association of Police Chaplains; and Special Recognition award – Superintendent Nikki Leaper, Devon and Cornwall Police.