Special Constables are honoured at an annual award ceremony.
Established by former Minister of State, Earl Ferrers, the Ferrers
Awards recognise the work that Special Constables and Police
Support Volunteers perform across England and Wales and reward
their skill, energy and talent.
Cheshire Special Constabulary has an strong record in these
distinguished awards.
2011: Filip Helsinki wins Highly Commended award
Special Constable Filip Helsinki, identified the need for
better relationships between the force and local Polish community.
His work encouraged a number of local Polish people to inform
police of crimes that would otherwise have been unreported.
2009: Kevin McHardy wins Special of the Year
Special Inspector Kevin McHardy was recognised for setting up
Operation Rome - an ambitious operation to tackle anti-social
behaviour and low level crime.
Operation Rome involved twenty-five members of the Special
Constabulary, regular officers and PCSOs. Licensed premises were
searched and documents checked, test purchases of alcohol by
trained minors were carried out, hot-spots for anti-social
behaviour and underage drinking were covertly targeted and parents
were contacted and advised about the dangers of underage
drinking.
All this resulted in a dozen arrests, 13 persons found in
possession of drugs, one licensee who failed a test purchase and
large quantities of alcohol confiscated. The operation was so
successful it is being repeated on a regular basis and is being
adapted by other Neighbourhood Policing Units.
2008: Jacqui Starkey wins Special of the Year
Special Sergeant Jacqui Starkey was recognised for her work in
the aftermath of the murder of Warrington father Gary Newlove, who
was kicked to death by three teenagers outside his home in August
2007.
Jacqui, who is based at Risley Neighbourhood Policing Unit, was
one of the first officers at the scene of murder and worked
tirelessly in the aftermath with the community in terms of policing
alcohol-induced anti-social behaviour and building lasting and
valuable relationships with the community she serves in.
Special Chief Inspector Brian Woodward from Crewe Neighbourhood
Policing Unit was also awarded highly commended for his work with
increasing the number of Special Constables in the Eastern area to
increase visible policing in his community.
Brian also organised numerous community impact days across Crewe
and Nantwich in order to assist in the reduction of speeding
offences, use of mobile phones when driving, seat belt and other
road traffic offences.
2007: Richard Hankins wins Special of the Year
Special Sergeant Richard Hankins, a Chester Inner Neighbourhood
Policing Unit Officer, was recognised for his hard work and
dedication to solving anti-social behaviour.
Special Inspector Tristan Morris, a Macclesfield officer, was
also highly commended in the same category for his work in
supporting the development of a strategy to tackle anti-social
behaviour, crime and the fear of crime.