Gwent Police Federation chair Matthew Candy is encouraging members to put forward colleagues for prestigious volunteering in policing awards. 

Nominations are open for the Lord Ferrers Awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to volunteering in policing. 

And Matthew paid tribute to volunteers in Gwent Police as he urged members to nominate their colleagues. 

He said: “It’s been almost a year since we welcomed Special Constables into the Police Federation and they, like all of our volunteers, make such a huge difference to the Force. 

“They bring a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience from outside which can only strengthen the Force, and they provide a vital link to our communities. 

“These awards are a chance to recognise their contributions and I’d encourage members to nominate those volunteers who deserve recognition for their work.” 

There are individual and team awards across 12 categories. Nominations are now open and close at midnight on Wednesday 12 July. 

The awards will recognise achievement in the following categories: 

• Ferrers Special Constabulary –  Individual Award: Open to Special Constables who have demonstrated a sustained and significant contribution to policing and/or their communities. 

• Ferrers Special Constabulary – Team Award:  Open to teams of Special Constables who have demonstrated a sustained and significant contribution to policing and/or their communities. 

• Police Support Volunteer – Individual Award: Open to Police Support Volunteers who have demonstrated a significant and sustained contribution to policing and/or their communities. 

• Police Support Volunteer – Team Award:  Open to teams of Police Support Volunteers who have worked together to make a significant and sustained contribution to policing and/or their communities. 

• Volunteer Police Cadet – Individual Award: Open to Volunteer Police Cadets who have demonstrated a significant and sustained contribution to youth led social action in support of policing and/or their communities 

• Volunteer Police Cadet – Team Award: Open to teams of Volunteer Police Cadets who have worked together to make a significant and sustained contribution to youth led social action in support of policing and/or their communities 

• Employer Supported Policing Award: Open to all organisations that support their local police force through facilitating their employees to volunteer in policing. 

• Leadership Award: Open to individual Special Constables, Police Support Volunteers and Volunteer Police Cadet Leaders who have demonstrated a significant and sustained contribution to leadership. 

• Innovation Award – Individual or Team: Open to Special Constables, Police Support Volunteers, Volunteer Police Cadets or any other volunteer involved in policing. The award recognises innovative contributions volunteers have made in support of policing and/or their communities. 

• Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) Volunteer – Individual or Team: Open to OPCC volunteers who have demonstrated a significant and sustained contribution to policing and/or their communities. 

• Volunteering in Partnership Award – Individual or Team: Open to Special Constables, Police Support Volunteers, Volunteer Police Cadets or any other volunteer involved in policing. This award recognises volunteers who have demonstrated a significant and positive contribution to working with others in partnership for the benefit of their communities. 

• Longevity Award – Individual Award: Open to Special Constables, Police Support Volunteers, Volunteer Police Cadets or any other volunteer involved in policing. This award recognises volunteers who have demonstrated a longstanding and an exceptional contribution to policing and/or their communities over the course of their volunteering service of 30 years or more. 

Click here for guidance for completing the form. 

 A panel will meet in August to select the finalists, who will all be invited to the awards ceremony on Thursday 12 October.