Volunteer awards: do you know a Special worthy of recognition?

22 August 2024

Nominations for prestigious volunteers in policing awards are currently open and West Mercia Police Federation members are encouraged to put forward a colleague they believe worthy of recognition.

The Lord Ferrers Awards acknowledge outstanding contributions from Special Constables, police support volunteers, volunteer police cadets and others who provide service to their local force in their free time.

A panel of judges will select a winner and runner-up from a shortlist of nominations across 11 individual and team categories. A set of criteria, which specifies a high-quality piece of work, a measurable impact and an inspiring contribution, will be used by judges to determine which nominees will be commended at an awards evening on 5 December.

Federation chair Steve Butler said: “We should never forget what our volunteers do for our Force up and down the country. On top of their day jobs and other life commitments, they make meaningful contributions to policing and they deserve to be commended for this.

“I would invite Federation members to think about the voluntary colleagues around them and how they may make your life easier through their dedication – and if you would like to see them celebrated, get nominating today.”

The Awards will recognise achievement in the following categories:

Ferrers Special Constabulary – Individual Award: Open to individual 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 individual 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 individual 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 organisations who support policing through local or national initiatives as well as supporting employees who volunteer within 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.