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Special Chief Inspector Paul Cretney was presented with the overall winners Ferrer’s Trophy for outstanding individual contribution to the Special Constabulary, the police service and the Community.
On Friday 19th October he attended the Special Constabulary and Police Support Volunteers Awards in London where he was presented with the trophy by Lord Taylor of Holbeach.
Originally named the Ferrer Awards after the then Home Secretary, the Special Constable and Police Support Volunteer Awards were first held in 1993 to recognise the work of those donating their time and effort to assist forces around the country.
Celebrating the tasks performed by Special Constables and Police Support Volunteers who give up their time to help regular officers and police staff attend to other duties, they are a highlight in the calendar for the volunteer policing units.
Home Office Minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach said: “These awards illustrate the myriad crucial roles that special constables and police support volunteers fulfil in forces.
“Whether it is policing football matches, stopping the sale of counterfeit goods or helping police and paramedics deal with late night revellers, these men and women show what an addition they can be to British policing.
“Their dedication in a voluntary role is inspiring and enhances policing across England and Wales.”
Paul Minton, chief executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), said: "Every day special constables and police support volunteers give up their free time to make a valuable contribution to protecting local communities.
“We are proud to have supported their efforts by helping to professionalise the Special Constabulary and working with forces to ensure that police support volunteers add real value to policing. And we are proud to pay tribute to their achievements."
Paul Cretney works for BT as a senior project manager and still manages to volunteer around 18 hours a week as a Special. He said: “It is an honour to receive the Ferrer’s award as I believe is recognises the contribution of the North Cumbria team of specials over the last couple of years and the integration within the neighbourhood policing teams. I could not have achieved the award without the support I have received from BT as my employer. Their approach to flexible working and additional leave for volunteering has enabled my commitment to Cumbria Police.”
