Gloucestershire Police Federation announce Lifetime Achievement Award for exemplary and compassionate policing leader

7 September 2026

A retired Inspector who has displayed enormous compassion in her support of colleagues, as well as being an exemplary policing leader, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Gloucestershire Police Federation Recognition Awards.

Hayley Howes, who retired in April after 30 years’ service, truly cared about the officers she managed. She was also the Federation’s Wellbeing Lead and is liked and respected by all who worked with her.

 
Her final role was as a firearms and dogs Inspector, and she spent time on response, but most of her career was in traffic and specialist operations.

 
She was one of, if not the force’s first female sergeant in traffic, and was the first female motorcyclist. Whichever team she was working on, she did everything she could to support her officers.  

In 2011, Hayley was part of a team of four officers who won a bravery award for saving the life of a man who was trapped in a burning van. The van driver was conscious, but trapped by his leg inside his cab as the vehicle started to go up in flames.

 
Despite the heat, which was melting the terrified driver’s jacket, Hayley jumped into the passenger side of the van and tried to free his trapped leg. Eventually, the four officers managed to free the van driver and carry him to safety.

 
Hayley recalled: “When I got in the van with him, he said: ‘Leave me be. I phoned my daughter and told her I'm going to die, it's alright’. And I said: ‘No, don't be stupid’. The four of us managed to drag him out; how we got him out, I don't know.

 
“It was so humbling, because the guy stayed in touch for quite a long time afterwards. In the coroner's court, he gave me a hug. That was one of my proudest moments working in the police.”

Hayley said the thing she missed most about the police was the people.

She said: “Response is hard, and if it wasn't for seeing good people when you go into work every day, I think you'd be questioning your life choices a bit sooner. I’ve worked with some really amazing people over the years, people I'm still in contact with now.”

The year before Hayley retired was particularly challenging and traumatic for the team. Hayley provided – and continues to provide – much-needed support to several officers who were involved in exceptionally distressing situations, including a firearms officer who was shot and an officer who tragically lost his family in a fire. She said: “It was a really hard time, and it still is.”

 
A colleague said: “Hayley went above and beyond to support officers, whether she directly line-managed them or not, and gave up her spare time in order to provide additional support. She genuinely cares, and wants to get the best for all officers.”

Gloucestershire Police Federation Chair Adam Williams said: “Hayley has been a true role model, not only as a leader in operational policing, but also in her voluntary roles in the Federation and in showing real compassion and empathy to give everything for her team, colleagues and friends. She is a worthy winner of this award.”

Hayley will attend the 2026 Gloucestershire Police Federation Recognition Awards on Thursday 10 September 2026.

The Gloucestershire Police Federation Recognition Awards are in association with Bluline Health.  

 
Also sponsoring the Awards are Gloucestershire Police Group Insurance Scheme, Niche, Uniform Mortgages, Police Friendly, Warren & Co, Philip Williams, Police Mortgages, Axon, Accord, No1 Copperpot Credit Union, Quick Mortgages, Temple Legal and Serve and Protect Credit Union.