Ceremony marks exceptional contribution to policing in North Wales
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North Wales Police has recognised police officers, staff and volunteers for their exceptional contribution to policing at the annual awards ceremony held on Thursday, November 14th.
Sponsored by the North Wales Police Federation, UNISON, CGI, NICHE, the Police and Crime Commissioner and PACT the ceremony was held at the St Asaph Cathedral and saw a total of 22 awards being presented to recipients in the company of distinguished guests, senior officers, family and friends.
Amongst the winners were officers being recognised for their bravery, initiatives tackling organised crime, lifetime achievement, team of the year and volunteers being recognised for their commitment and duty to the force.
Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman KPM said: “As we celebrate 50 years of North Wales Police, we remember and celebrate five decades of service, courage and dedication, alongside recognising the way our award winners have contributed to the force vision in unique and meaningful ways.
“Our colleagues continue to do exceptional things and it is important that we recognise and thank those who make a real difference in their communities.
“As we reach this milestone year, we reflect on the legacy of North Wales Police. From acts of bravery and resilience to quality investigations, innovative approaches and outstanding service. The awards presented recognised just a small selection of the excellent work, achievement and dedication to duty that our officers, staff and volunteers do on a daily basis, often unseen and unheralded.
“Policing is an incredibly difficult job; it places exceptional demands and expectations upon our staff. The world we police is also becoming ever more complex, requiring ever-increasing levels of innovation, discretion and problem solving.
“I would like to thank and congratulate all of our worthy winners and nominees. Evenings such as the Force Awards provide inspiration to others and make me proud to be part of North Wales Police. I am incredibly proud to work with such inspirational individuals and it was an honour to present the awards in such a beautiful setting.”
Amongst some of the winners were:
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Gordon Saynor, Collision Investigator
Lifetime Achievement is awarded to an individual whose lifetime of dedication, innovation, and impact have shaped their business area and inspired generations. They are the heart of North Wales Police and their dedication truly inspiring.
Gordon has dedicated himself to public service. He joined North Wales Police as a Police Constable 563 in 1976. In 1989 he became a Traffic Patrol Officer in Porthmadog. In 1994 he became a Collision Investigator whilst dual rolling as a traffic Officer. In 2001 he was integral to the inception and vision of the North Wales Police Forensic Collision Investigation Unit. He remains the only original member.
On the 14th of December 2009 Gordon officially retired as a Police Officer having completed 33 years, 5 months, 22 days service. On the 15th of December 2009 Gordon began his role as a Civilian Collision Investigator and has remained in that post to date.
Gordon has attended and investigated hundreds of fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions. He has helped to secure justice for countless victims and sought closure for bereft friends, families and relatives. To this day his commitment shines through in everything he does, and he constantly produces work to the highest of standards. Gordon’s is quite literally a font of knowledge and is the ‘go to’ person for many inside and outside the force.
- Team of the Year: Negotiators
The force negotiators consist of officers who do this life saving role in addition to their core duties.
The role of a negotiator involves being on call for an average five days every month. This is a key function which supports people who are in crisis, siege incidents and high-risk missing persons. In addition to providing an operational response, negotiators provide informative inputs across the organisation to assist in growing knowledge and understanding.
The negotiator role saves countless lives every year, safely de-escalates high risk situations and improves the organisational response to those in crisis.
This critical function ensures that North Wales Police has the very best chance of saving lives, resolving situations peacefully, and assisting with providing the very best possible service to our communities.
Our negotiators are all voluntary, giving their time willingly to this key role.
- Force Priorities Award: Operation Renew, Rhyl
Project Renew Rhyl, is a multi-agency 'Clear, Hold and Build' initiative aimed at tackling organised crime activity within a clearly defined area. This work tackles criminal activity that impacts in the neighbourhood, builds community resilience whilst improving trust and confidence in the police and making the communities safer.
The Project Renew team have worked tirelessly with internal and external partners to relentlessly disrupt criminal activity. The team have focused on targeting those exploiting the drug trade and those vulnerable to criminal exploitation. A series of drugs warrants have been executed which has led to the dismantling of several cannabis farms and the closing of County Lines operating in and out of Rhyl West.
Project Renew are also capturing the voice of the community through engagement at coffee mornings, Environmental Visual Audits and a number of partnership visits.
- Initial Impact Award: Jack Vernon – Assistant Supplies Officer, Headquarters
Jack started working for North Wales Police on the 16th of April 2024 as an Assistant Supplies Officer. Jack brings a big smile with him to work which is infectious and ripples through the team or anyone that visits stores.
Jack has quickly understood how the department operated and has embedded himself within the team. He is an integral member of the supplies team and instantly lifts those around him through is infectious smile.
Jack takes great care in his work ensuring that the right item of clothing is dispatched. All of which he does in a timely and efficient manner. He has also now taken charge of replenishing all of our first aid bags and major incident boxes.
Jack is greatly valued and important member of the Supplies team.
- Force Priorities Award: PCSO Iona Beckmann, Ynys Môn
Iona is truly inspirational and is described as having transformed people’s lives within her beat area.
It is evident that the force priorities are at the heart of everything she does. She regularly engages with local communities, tackling a diverse range of issues. She works with the Women's Institute, discussing vital topics on personal and home safety. She visits youth centres, raising awareness about the dangers of knife crime and regularly attends local retailers offering valuable crime prevention advice. She has also led numerous safeguarding initiatives for vulnerable groups, placing victims of crime at the forefront of her work every single day.
Iona is recognised by her colleagues as honest, fair and modest and it is clear that she has consistently demonstrated her passion to deliver the forces vision.
- Probationer of the Year: PC Steve Belgrau, Denbigh Rural
Steve’s attitude, professionalism and dedication towards his role has been exemplary. He is extremely motivated and strives for the highest possible standards in all that he does.
Steve is extremely passionate about his role and evident by his work ethic. His investigations are of a high standard and the quality of service he provides victims is equally as high.
Steve is a credit to North Wales Police and his positive attitude has a major effect on his colleagues. He regularly receives praise from his peers about his positivity, attention to detail and his willingness to help others.
A recent example is when Steve responded to a concern for safety to a report of a female having attempted to take her own life. Steve was first to arrive at the scene and he successfully provided CPR. He continued providing aftercare for the female until paramedics arrived to assist. Without his quick time actions, the outcome for the female would not have been as positive.
Other winners on the night included:
- Volunteer of the Year: John Morris – Cadet Assistant Leader, Wrexham Cadet Unit
- Diversity Champion: Sgt Sarah Hughes-Jones, Wrexham
- PCSO of the year: Andrew Owen, Bangor
- Investigator of the Year: Detective Constable Gavin Jones, Caernarfon
- Cadet of the Year: Oliver Aldridge, Wrexham
- Welsh Language Champions: PC Rich Priamo and PC Vinny Jones, Roads Crime Unit
- Peoples Champion: PCSO Iwan Owen, Rural Crime Team
- Team of the Year: Negotiators
- Chief Constable’s Partnership Award: Stephen Edwards, Carwyn Williams and Aled Llyr – Y Llinell Las
- Leadership Award: Hayley Gallienne – Head of Information Assurance
- Officer of the Year: Detective Constable Catherine Jones
- Quality of Service Award: PC Ffion Montgomery
- Staff Member of the Year: Ian Thompson, Collision Investigator
- Response Team of the Year: Rota 2 Conwy Rural
- Bravery Award: PC Llinos Hughes
- Team of the Year: PVPU (Protecting Vulnerable People Unit)
