East Division success at Special Constabulary awards
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Several Special Constables have been celebrated at an awards ceremony for their contributions to Lancashire Police and the public. The event, held at Lancashire Constabulary Headquarters in Hutton, on Tuesday 15th October, was attended by Specials from across Lancashire and was presented by Assistant Chief Constable Karen Edwards.
Special Constables are volunteer police officers who come from all walks of life, bringing a vast range of skills and experience. They have the same powers of arrest as regular officers and dedicate at least 16 hours a month to policing alongside their work and family commitments.
Special of the Year – Temporary Special Sergeant Gary Burt – Runner-up
Temporary Special Sergeant Gary Burt has been named runner-up for “Special of the Year”. Having joined the Special Constabulary in 2023, he has quickly risen through the ranks and recently achieved the position of Temporary Special Sergeant.
Known for his dedication, T/Sgt Burt gained his independent patrol status and completed his Level 2 Public Order and carrier training, making him a crucial asset during the summer disorder, where he worked frontline shifts of over 14 hours.
His colleagues have praised his tactical involvement, enthusiasm, and ability to handle complex tasks with professionalism and minimal guidance. He is recognised as a credit to the Special Constabulary, demonstrating outstanding commitment and competence.
Student Officer of the Year – Special Constable Samreen - Winner
Special Constable Samreen has been named “Student Officer of the Year”. Joining the Special Constabulary in August 2023, SC Samreen is currently studying Professional Policing at the University of Central Lancashire.
Based in Blackburn, she has been recognised for her invaluable contributions to both Response and Neighbourhood teams, with colleagues praising her deep local knowledge and language skills. Fluent in several languages, including Spanish, her linguistic abilities have been vital in resolving incidents.
Described as dedicated, compassionate, and eager to learn, she has shown exceptional growth over the past year.
SC Samreen’s commitment extends beyond her policing duties, as she has even supported her team’s welfare by providing traditional home-cooked meals during long shifts. She is regarded as a credit to the force, embodying the qualities of a truly outstanding officer.
Supervisor of the Year – Special Inspector Dan Porter – Runner-up
Special Inspector Dan Porter has been named runner-up for “Supervisor of the Year”. Dan joined the Special Constabulary in 2013, bringing a wealth of supervisory experience to the team.
Known for his calm leadership and commitment to local policing initiatives, S/Inspector is praised for his proactive approach, ensuring his team is engaged and involved in operations such as anti-social behaviour initiative Op Rally.
He is recognised for this ability to mobilise officers at short notice and his strong community engagement, including his support at charity events like the Milly’s Smiles fair.
Respected for his professionalism, positive attitude, and attention to detail, he is seen as an exemplary ambassador for the Special Constabulary.
Special Recognition Award – Temporary Special Sergeant Gary Burt and Special Constable James Gowans
Temporary Special Sergeant Gary Burt was also recognised for the Special Recognition Award, alongside Special Constable James Gowans, for their involvement in the Public Order Special Constabulary team.
This team was commended for their critical support during the disorder that followed the tragic Southport incident in July.
Trained for Level 2 deployments, the team stepped up to provide nearly 24/7 coverage over a week of violent disorder, working up to 16-hour shifts to support regular officers.
Their dedication and swift response were key in bolstering police efforts during a challenging time, earning them well-deserved recognition.
Special Recognition Award – Special Constable Juliet
Special Constable Juliet, who is based at Blackburn, has been recognised for her quick thinking and initiative in identifying and assisting with the detention of two shoplifters whilst she was on a dog training exercise.
While acting as a plain-clothed decoy for a new drugs detection dog in Preston City Centre, Special Constable Juliet noticed a shoplifting incident unfolding. Without PPE, she alerted another Police Constable who was conducting the training and assisted in pursuing and detaining the offenders.
Her proactive actions earned her several commendations from fellow officers.
Service Awards
Several Special Constables have been honoured with length of service awards for their dedication. Special Inspector Dan Porter, Special Sergeant Craig, and Special Constable Ethan received ten-year service certificates.
Special Constable Declan was recognised for five years of service, while Special Sergeant Neil Beswick and Special Sergeant Robert were awarded for three years of service.
These awards highlight their continued contributions to the Special Constabulary and the communities of East Lancashire that they serve.
Chief Superintendent Steve Rides, Divisional Commander of East Division, said: “It is fantastic to see our East Division Specials being recognised for their hard work and dedication.
“Their commitment to serving the communities of East Lancashire and going above and beyond their role to keep the public safe is commendable. I would like to wish them a huge congratulations for their achievements.”
“I would like to also say a big thank you to all our Special Constables who take time out of their busy lives to volunteer and support us, they are an asset to Lancashire Police.”
