Police officers and staff have been awarded for their continued hard work, commitment and dedication to protect and serve the communities in Doncaster.

Nine individuals and two teams were presented with awards for their outstanding contribution to policing over the last 12-months on Monday evening (1 February).

The awards were presented by Deputy Chief Constable Dawn Copley, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dr Alan Billings, Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones and Mark Huby of Total Finance Options, who generously donated to fund the event, held at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Doncaster Commander, Chief Superintendent Richard Tweed, also presented the Lifetime Achievement Award, which went to Sergeant Steve Butler for his outstanding achievements as a Doncaster officer for almost 25-years.

Ch Supt Tweed said: “This is the 4th year we have celebrated the hard work of our officers and staff in Doncaster, and it’s important their dedication to the job is recognised and awarded, as I want all my officers and staff to know they are valued and appreciated and the work they do to protect the public doesn’t go unnoticed.”

“I want to thank everyone in Doncaster for their constant support and continued commitment to make the town a safe and enjoyable place for people to live, work and visit.

Dr Alan Billings, South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner said: “I’m always humbled when I come to awards events and hear the extraordinary accounts of dedication and bravery on the part of the  police. It is right that we remind ourselves how much good work goes on day and night, much of it unnoticed. Without it South Yorkshire would be a far less safe place in which to live and work.”

The awards and winners were:

·         Police Officer of the year – Sergeant Dave Jones

·         Staff member of the year – Christine Tierney

·         PCSO of the year – PCSO Annette Flavell

·         Special Constable of the year – SC Casandra Toseland

·         Detective of the year – DC Rob Hunt

·         Student Officer of the year – PC Terry Davidson

·         Investigation of the year – A/DS Chris Lindley

·         Bravery award – PC Terri Watson

·         Partnership award – DMBC Bill Hotchkiss and DC Katherine Wallis

·         Lifetime achievement award– Sergeant Steve Butler

·         Team award – Inspector Richard Collingwood, Sgt Neil Pryce, PC Gerry Dawson, PC Neil Humphries, PC Dave Chadwick, PC Iain Robb and PCSO Annette Flavell

The bravery award was presented to PC Terri Watson following her intervention with a suspected shoplifter while she was off duty in Doncaster.

PC Watson identified herself as a police officer to security staff when she noticed they were outside a shop struggling to restrain a woman who they suspected of shoplifting. She advised the woman she was a police officer and that she needed to go back into the store to speak to security, however she failed to comply and assaulted PC Watson by biting her hand. Undeterred, PC Watson arrested the woman. Her actions demonstrated great courage and bravery to come to the assistance of members of the public and were in the finest traditions of policing, in that officers never consider themselves off duty.

Acting DS Chris Lindley was awarded with Investigation of the year after he demonstrated tenacity, dedication and leadership to ensure a solid case was built against an offender suspected of three, targeted burglaries where large quantities of gold jewellery were stolen last year.

A/DS Lindley worked tirelessly to coordinate and formulate an effective forensic strategy, which included officers revisiting the scenes, taking further witness statements and door to door enquiries.

This later resulted in substantial forensic evidence linking the offender to all three crimes and securing a guilty plea from him at court and a substantial prison sentence, as well as some of the stolen items being recovered and returned to the rightful owners.