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South Yorkshire Police Awards, updated September, 2011

SOUTH YORKSHIRE POLICE AWARDS, 2011.

The Eighteenth Annual Awards made by the Company to recognise exemplary service were presented at the Cutlers’ Hall on Wednesday 13 July 2011 by the Master Cutler. In presenting the awards, the Master Cutler said that it had been very difficult to select the winners from the very high quality nominations this year.  He congratulated the winners but also took the opportunity to comment upon how vital the South Yorkshire Police are to all of us and particularly business, as we can operate in security.  He then asked the Deputy Chief Constable to take back the message that there was recognition of the excellent job that the police are doing in very difficult circumstances. 

Group Award – Force Incident Managers. 

This year’s group award went to the Force Incident Managers, a group of inspectors who provide 24/7 cover for South Yorkshire Police.  The initial response to an incident is often vital.  Immediate and appropriate action can deal with an incident rapidly and result in a better outcome with more effective use of resources.  The Force Incident Managers provide the immediate control and management of incidents reported to the police.  This particularly applies to major and critical incidents.  They have, at their disposal, all police assets including the SY99 Helicopter, Armed Response, Hostage Negotiators and Underwater Search Teams.  They are trained to command firearms deployments and to manage and control critical incidents.  In recent years, they have commanded incidents which have varied from an aeroplane crash in Rotherham through shootings in Sheffield, to bomb warnings and chemical suicides.  To be effective, they need a thorough understanding of both South Yorkshire Police and all partner agencies. 

Individual Award – Sgt Suzanne Snowden – Wentworth Valley SNT. 

Sergeant Suzanne Snowden leads the Wentworth Valley Safer Neighbourhood Team which covers Maltby in Rotherham.  She takes a community led approach and is considered inspirational by her team of police and community support officers.  She is part of the Community and, apart from being visible through patrols and her presence at events, she involves herself and her family in initiatives even when off duty.  She has a great ability to engage the public as evidenced by her instigation of two new neighbourhood watch schemes, the public’s improved trust leading to better information.  The result is reduced crime and anti social behaviour.

The James Neill Trust Fund made generous donations to charities nominated by the Group and Individual winners.  Force Incident Managers nominated Macmillan Cancer Support Neighbourhood Watch which received £500 and Sergeant Snowden nominated Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice which received £250. Cheques to representatives from each charity were presented by Mrs Nina Peel, who represented the Trust. The Deputy Chief Constable thanked the Master Cutler for his kind words and said that he took great pleasure in being present at these awards.