Police Scotland has celebrated the outstanding commitment and achievements of its workforce – including officers, staff members and special constables – at an awards ceremony held today.
The service held its fourth annual Scottish Policing Excellence Awards, sponsored by Police Mutual and supported by the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Government.
Police Scotland’s Excellence Awards recognise excellence and innovation in specialised divisions and local policing across the country. The awards are held to celebrate the achievements of those who demonstrate their commitment to keeping people safe in their local communities through innovative policing.
The awards were open to all police officers and members of staff of any rank or grade.
Nominees were proposed by colleagues and peers as a reflection of their hard work, commitment and effort in promoting the values and aims of Police Scotland.
Each category was shortlisted by a judging panel consisting of members from Police Scotland’s Force Executive. Finalists attended today’s ceremony at the Scottish Police College where they were welcomed by a Police Scotland piper.
Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said: “Our people are our best and most important attribute and the Excellence Awards offer an opportunity to reflect on the quality service they provide to Scotland every day.
“I am privileged to lead an organisation where the standard of nominees and winners is so high and covers such a wide range of policing.
“It was a pleasure to be able to personally thank officers, staff and special constables for their professionalism and dedication.”
Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Humza Yousaf, said: “In my time as Justice Secretary, I have been struck by the incredible professionalism, dedication and expertise of Police Scotland’s officers and staff – from call handlers to cyber specialists, forensic experts to special constables. “Their passion to deliver results for the people they serve shows excellence across Police Scotland as the force evolves to meet the needs of modern policing.
“I congratulate the winners, and all those nominated today, for their personal dedication to duty and responsiveness to the needs of others.”
Professor Susan Deacon, chair of the Scottish Police Authority, said: “I am constantly impressed by the dedication, commitment and creativity of our police officers and staff.
“These awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate some of the very best examples of innovation and excellence within our police service which play such an important part in keeping our communities safe.
“My heartfelt thanks and congratulations go to all those who have been nominated and, in particular, those who have won awards.”
Police Mutual Group’s Sales and Marketing Director, Andy Elkington, said: “This year’s awards recognise some of the truly inspiring acts of courage by police officers, staff and members of the public, and everyone involved should be very proud of their achievements.
“You are a credit to your families and friends, your communities, and the police service.
“Your determination and courage continue to inspire all of us and I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and all of the colleagues at Police Mutual, to give you our sincere thanks.”
Among the award winners was Special Constable Allan MacDonald, Edinburgh Division Special Constable MacDonald has six years’ service. He works full time as a musician and photographer and despite the demands of these jobs, he has managed to parade for duty in Edinburgh 72 times over the last year.
Allan was instrumental in the delivery of Operation Heddle, a local operation dedicated to making the roads of the South West locality safe.
Allan proposed this operation in line with the festive road safety campaign, personally working seven shifts, to carry out speed checks and static road check at key locations.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
