Essex volunteer police officers have been presented with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
It is to mark the huge contribution they make in helping to keep our county safe
Last updated 7th Nov 2021
Essex volunteer police officers have been presented with The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to mark the huge contribution they make in helping to keep our county safe.
Essex Lord-Lieutenant Jennifer Tolhurst presented the award on behalf of the Queen to Derek Hopkins MBE, Deputy Chief Officer of the Essex Police Special Constabulary, who received it on behalf of the force’s 504 Specials.
It is the highest award for local voluntary groups and it is awarded for life.
Mrs Tolhurst told Derek - who has volunteered as a Special for more than 41 years - fellow Specials, police staff and dignitaries that the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is described as the MBE for voluntary groups.
It recognises the very special achievement by volunteers who regularly devote their time to helping others in the community, improving the quality of life and opportunity for others and providing outstanding service.
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said:
“This is an opportunity to thank you for all that you do working alongside the police and reassuring the general public. I would also like to recognise the dedicated people who support the Special Constabulary, looking after the training, equipping, marketing and general support of the volunteers, whose availability, inevitably, will be flexible.
“Everyone involved with the Essex Police Special Constabulary shares in the prestige of this award.
“I hope too that it will be a real boost to your morale, although, having talked to some of you today, I realise your morale doesn’t need boosting. You are all enjoying yourselves enormously and doing such valuable work.”
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington also told them:
“You have put yourselves forward as volunteers to protect and serve. You have put yourselves forward to catch criminals, to protect people and to keep people safe.
“In doing this, you have placed the needs of others before your own. You have vowed to act with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, to prevent offences against people and property and to do this according to the law.
“To those who would do harm, you are determined and relentless in your pursuit of justice. To those who are victims of crime, you are caring and compassionate. To those you work with, you are dependable, diligent and inclusive, ensuring they are a valued member of our team.
“And to all you meet, you are respectful and trustworthy. You police with consent – the consent of every member of our society, whoever they are, however they define themselves and whatever their beliefs.
“This has never been easy. But you have done it. And today, your diligence and professionalism have been recognised.”
Essex High Sheriff Simon Brice then surprised everyone by presenting Derek and the Essex Police Special Constabulary with a High Sheriff’s Award to recognise all our volunteer police officers who 'give up their time to commit themselves to providing vital support across the policing spectrum in Essex'.
Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst said:
“I truly believe in the value our Special Constabulary bring to Essex Police. The Chief Constable talks about the public being the police and the police being the public – you are such an important link between policing, community safety and the communities you serve.
“It really is an important building block of the legitimacy of Essex Police in this county. You are part of it and you are doing it on a voluntary basis. It’s amazing. And the time committed is equivalent to 100 regular officers, which gives you a sense of how important you are.
“I also want to commend you for the sacrifices you make on a voluntary basis that regular officers make on a professional basis. You are not just assisting, you are performing independently to ensure public safety across the county, to prevent and tackle crime, to deal with bad guys and make a positive difference in a very important way.
“Thank you for the hours you give for free for the benefit of our communities. Thank you for the great work you do. Thank you for putting yourselves on the front line and protecting the county.”