Commissioner presents 25 ‘incredible individuals’ with awards

Commissioner presents 25 ‘incredible individuals’ with awards

Councillor Steven Smith from Witheridge Parish Council receiving his award from Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez

The crucial efforts of those who give up their spare time to support the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to hold the police to account and help make lives better and safer for those within their local communities has been recognised during a special celebration.

Every year, Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernadez hosts a Thank You event to acknowledge individuals who have helped carry out her statutory duties. But unlike previous years, the occasion also saw 25 nominated individuals presented with Commissioner's Awards in special recognition of how they have gone above and beyond in their roles.

More than 60 attended the event at Exeter Racecourse which included:

Among the recipients of Commissioner’s Awards was Mike Saltern who has worked with the Commissioner for many years in roles including as an Independent Advisor, member of the Policing and Crime Joint Executive and Resources Board and an Independent Panel Member for police misconduct.

He was described as a trusted and incredibly astute professional who conveys sharp, honest judgement and high-level insight.

Commissioner Hernandez said: "Your contribution to my office of many years has been integral to our success."

An acknowledgement of special service and 'champion' award was given to Jayne Clemence for her contributions to the Local Criminal Justice Board across multiple areas and being a consistent and effective member of the Out of Court Resolution scrutiny panels for many years.

Jayne, who was unable to attend the event but received her award in advance, was praised in particular by the Commissioner for her contribution during gross misconduct panels and for ensuring that only the right people work in policing.

Two awards were presented to Councillor Advocates who had been nominated by their local sector police inspectors for working closely with them to help resolve issues that matter most to residents.

The Councillor Advocates scheme – unique to Devon and Cornwall and now made up of 263 members – has been running since 2019. Councillor Mark Haworth-Booth OBE from North Devon Council and Councillor Steven Smith from Witheridge Parish Council were recognised for having gone above and beyond to liaise with police help solve issues impacting local residents such as antisocial behaviour, encouraging the reporting of crime and engaging and supporting youths.

Councillor Advocates were also given the opportunity to nominate local inspectors who deserved recognition. The eight inspectors put forward by their local councillors all received awards including Joey Lester - Ilfracombe and South Molton in North Devon - who despite being in post for a short time has set up “pop-up” police stations where people can come and to see both police and their councillor advocate and has developed ambitions improvement plans to address crime concerns residents have.

Commissioner Hernandez said: "This year's Thank You event was slightly different than previous years because with less than two years to go before the role of Police and Crime Commissioner's is abolished, I wanted to extend my appreciation even further by highlighting a number of incredible individuals who have made significant contributions to help my office hold the police to account or support their communities to tackle crime and ASB.

"I was honoured to personally present 25 Commissioner Awards in recognition of the great work they do to help keep our communities safe. A massive thank you to all those who help police carry out their roles more effectively and to those who help my office carry out its crucial scrutiny role."

Also in attendance was police welfare dog Darcy and the Museum of Policing in Devon and Cornwall which put on a nostalgic display of police memorabilia.

The full list of Commissioner Awards recipients:

Special service awards

Mike Saltern

Jayne Clemence

ICVs

Cary Rudolph

Carol Robinson

Tony Wade

Joy Tucker

Rob Ponsford

Joan Heaton

Nigel Strawbridge

Steve Seatherton

Andrea Drew

Martin Buck

Rachel Spanswick

Abi Dymond

Mike Risness

Councillor Advocates

Councillor Mark Haworth-Booth OBE from North Devon Council

Councillor Steve Smith from Witheridge Parish Council

Local Police Inspectors

Inspector Ben Shardlow for Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Totnes and Dartmouth - South Devon

Inspector Dave Turner for Exeter -  East and Mid Devon

Inspector Nathan Johnson for Exeter – East and Mid Devon

Inspector James Johnson for Newton Abbot - South Devon

Detective Inspector Sean Roper - ex Inspector for Coastal and Rural Teignbridge

Inspector Mark Arthurs for Crediton, Cullompton and Tiverton – Mid Devon

Inspector Phil Gray, Axminster, Honiton, Seaton and Sidmouth - Rural East Devon

Inspector Joey Lester, Ilfracombe and South Molton in North Devon