19 February 2026

Dorset Police Federation announces Sergeant of the Year

An officer who has continued to be an inspiring leader and champion of her colleagues’ wellbeing despite her own health struggles has been named Sergeant of the Year at the 2026 Dorset Police Federation Recognition Awards.

Sgt Karen Brown is an experienced and much-respected officer who leads a team in Bournemouth South.

She struggled with back pain throughout last year, and eventually needed surgery.

Despite this, she continued to come into the office every day, and even spearheaded a new summer initiative to help to address the high level of demand.

Sgt Brown said that a strong work ethic had kept her going even when she was struggling with her health: “I thought, well, I'm going to be in the pain I'm in wherever I am, so I might as well be at work doing what I like doing.

 “I felt I still had every bit to offer, even though I had to be on restricted duties. While I don’t advocate people being at work when they shouldn’t be, I do think showing a strong work ethic is important, especially as the team’s sergeant. If I’m happy and positive at work, my team is motivated by that.”

On her return from back surgery, Sgt Brown set up the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole demand team. She explained: “Demand's always high and it'd be great if there were more officers, but I do always think there must be a more effective way of working.

 “So I set up the grade three summer demand team. Grade three are the lower-priority jobs that you’re meant to get to within 24 hours, but get trumped by higher threat, risk and harm. So I said, ‘Look, if over the summer, myself and a few others committed ourselves to those jobs, I think we can smash demand.’ It ended up being a team of me and five others, and I did both roles – I had my response role with my usual team, and then I also worked on the grade three summer demand team.

“It was really successful. Waiting times for victims of crime went down. The control room loved it because the demand summaries were getting lower.

“And it was really good for the officers as well, because there was a couple who were returning to frontline duties in a phased way and this reignited their passion for response. It was a really happy team and between them, they easily cleared about four or five jobs a day.”

Sgt Brown is also a huge champion of wellbeing, not just within her team but across the force, and works with TRiM to support colleagues.

She said: “We do an amazing job looking after the public, but it’s so important to look after our colleagues in the same way. It’s a privilege to be there for those in their toughest times, to be trusted with their feelings and emotions. And I just want others to feel as mentally strong and happy in policing as I do.”

One colleague who nominated Sgt Brown for the award said: “She is held in such high esteem by all of her officers and the senior leadership team. She is a beacon of resilience; her smile is infectious and she makes such a difference to the way that her team work and look out for each other.”

Another colleague said: “Sgt Brown has been a guiding light for many. She is the reason why I, and many others, have sought promotion, however we have quickly realised it’s not as easy as she makes it look! She’s a great leader and mentor.”

When Sgt Brown heard she had been nominated for a Federation award, she said she was “absolutely flabbergasted”.

She added: “I’ve been here over 25 years and I still feel as privileged now as I did on day one. When I'm at work, I work really, really hard. But at the same time, I feel like I've never worked a day in my life. I'm very lucky – it’s priceless to feel like that, especially after so long.”

Dorset Police Federation Chair Chris Wood said: “What incredible care, compassion and commitment from Karen.

“We are all proud of Karen, who shows such unwavering support for colleagues, leading by example and even during the summer managing multiple teams at once.

“She is one of the pillars of Dorset Police and leads her team with distinction.”

Sgt Brown will attend the 2026 Dorset Police Federation Recognition Awards on 26 February.

Dorset Police Federation Recognition Awards are in association with Bluline Health.

Also sponsoring the awards are Accord, Axon, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Police Mortgages, Warren & Co, Police Friendly, Serve and Protect Credit Union, Philip Williams and No1 Copperpot Credit Union.