Home Secretary honours police staff heroes
Police staff from across the country were honoured at a special ceremony held on Thursday (March 6) at the Senior Police Staff Network conference.
More than 1,100 nominations were received across seven award categories for the inaugural National Police Staff Awards. These awards have been created to recognise the significant impact that police staff have in policing and celebrate where that work is helping to deliver policing priorities.
Nominations were received from across UK policing, showcasing the expansive roles and work that police staff undertake. Jointly hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing, this event forms part of the Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition 2025.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper presented the award for the inaugural Police Staff Team of the Year. This was awarded to the police staff who responded after the tragic events in Southport in July 2024, and who would go on to provide vital support to the community in the days and weeks to follow.
Assistant Chief Officer Gemma Stannard, head of the NPCC’s Strategic Hub, and Assistant Chief Officer Alexis Poole of Devon and Cornwall Police are co-founders of the SPSN and were in attendance at the ceremony.
They said: “Today’s event was very special, and we feel privileged to have been able to share it with so many wonderful colleagues from across policing.
“The police service created these awards to recognise the members of police staff who have gone above and beyond in support of their communities; to recognise those who have shown immense mental, emotional, and mental bravery whilst undertaking their role; and to celebrate those whose work has contributed to vital organisational change. It is so important that we as a service take the time to appropriately recognise and celebrate these achievements.
“We are sincerely grateful that we were able to have the Home Secretary in attendance presenting the award to Police Staff Team of the Year: these individuals displayed courage, bravery and professionalism of the highest order in unprecedented circumstances and will carry what they saw that day at Southport with them for the rest of their lives.
“In carrying out their actions, they made a huge contribution to the safety and recovery of the survivors of the attack as well as securing a crime scene to ensure best possible evidence was preserved. We know we speak for all in policing when we say they have our gratitude and our respect.
“To all of the award winners today across all categories: thank you for all that you do. We hope today was a truly fulfilling experience, and we wish you all the very best”.
Ms Cooper said: “It has been a privilege to attend the inaugural National Police Staff Recognition Week and honour some truly outstanding people and fantastic achievements.
“From working with our communities to providing compassionate care to those who need it most, the role our police staff and Police Community Support Officers play in keeping our streets safe is invaluable and will have a crucial role to play as we deliver our Safer Streets Mission.
“The skill and dedication the award winners have shown is just a fraction of what every team in every force across the country is delivering every day, often in such pressurised environments, and it is fantastic to see staff and their families celebrated.”
Chief Constable Sir Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said: “Police staff are too often overlooked, despite providing vital work for their communities every day, often in incredibly challenging circumstances.
“Whether it’s the intelligence from a police analyst who helps identify a criminal, a forensic investigator that provides the key piece of evidence that secures a conviction, or a PCSO who helps keep their community safe, police staff are absolutely integral to the police service, and I’m pleased we were able to acknowledge that today.
“I’m honoured that the College of Policing was able to host the inaugural Police Staff Awards, and I hope we get to see many more police staff being recognised for their brilliant work in the coming years.
Award Winners
Police Staff Team of the Year Award – Merseyside Sefton Area Police Community Support Team’
The winning team represents the Sefton Area police community support officers (PCSOs) [as constituted at July/August 2024] and also the social media officer who supported with critical work following the attack:
PSCO Eve Lancaster
PCSO Brendan Farrell
PCSO Chris Ward
PCSO Pawel Janik
Alexander Pouncey
PCSO Michelle Newman
PCSO Alice Cunningham
PCSO Lucas Cordeiro Reguin Da Silva
PCSO Timothy Parry
PCSO Barry Calder
Natalie Carroll, social media officer
Police Staff Member of the Year Award – Ian Lawrence, Family Liaison Coordinator, Lancashire Constabulary
Highly Commended – Lesley Yule Dunlevy, Public Enquiry and Support Assistant, Police Scotland
Police Staff Bravery Award – Anna Beaudro, Police Contact Enquiry Officer (PCEO), Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.
Highly Commended – Ashely Heaton, Metropolitan Police Service Circulations Unit Supervisor, Met Police MO4.
New Police Staff Member (Exceptional Contribution Award) Ryan Clatworthy, Incident Risk and Resolution Officer, South Wales Police.
Olivia Prosser, Acting Senior Comms Officer, Cheshire Constabulary.
Police Staff Lifetime Achievement Award – Karen Boyd, Executive Assistant to Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations (ACSO), Metropolitan Police Service.
Highly Commended – David McMahon, Service Delivery Manger, Cheshire Constabulary – Enable Network.
Police Staff Ally of the Year Award – Claire Widdison, Head of Strategic Governance, Thames Valley Police
Police Staff Unsung Hero Award – [Undisclosed winner due to operational sensitivities]
Highly Commended – Hazel Parry, GMP Victims’ Services Coordinator – Bury, Greater Manchester Police.